Nikon has once again raised the bar with its new D700, a gorgeous full-frame dSLR that outperforms the recent D300 and in many ways equals the performance of the famed Nikon D3.

The D700 employs a full-frame (Nikon FX format) image sensor, which makes it compatible with pretty much every Nikon lens made in the last 30 years. The sensor and image processing engine are identical to those used in the D3, making the D700 equivalent in terms of image quality. For many professional or serious amateur photographers, the D700 is a real alternative to the D3 and even offers a few advantages over its higher-end predecessor.

Performance

With its full-frame sensor and support for up to ISO 6400, the D700 performs excellently under low light. Nikon’s ADR (auto dynamic range) system also works well, providing a noticeable improvement in richness and depth of colours to highly contrasted shots. A decent flash is built in, though with the D700’s low-light performance I can’t imagine it ever being necessary. Perhaps it will be used as a fill-in, though with ADR even that becomes somewhat moot.

The D700 shoots up to five frames per second, or up to eight with the optional MB-D10 grip and battery pack. This is respectable, though decidedly slower than the D3’s maximum of 11fps. Start-up time is virtually nil and auto-focus is quick, despite Nikon’s sophisticated 51-point AF system (which did a superb job under low-light test conditions).

Feature range

The D700 boasts a wide range of features, including a sensor cleaning function that was notably absent on the D3. The D300’s support for common Garmin GPS units has been maintained, allowing you to tag your images with longitude and latitude data with only a little extra hardware. Also present are the D300’s ‘Handheld’ and ‘Tripod’ Live View features, the latter of which is almost faster than my point-and-shoot with its nifty trick of focusing via contrast.

Personally I prefer the viewfinder (or a wild guess) to Live View any day, though it has its uses and Nikon has implemented it better than most.

The D700 does lack the D3’s second CompactFlash card slot, though you can still save each shot as both JPEG and RAW images to a single card.

Ease of use

Despite the overwhelming array of features, Nikon has managed to make the D700 a dream to use. The layout of controls is excellent; most functions can be accessed one-handed and the camera’s buttons and menu can be customised to suit your preferences. The user manual is comprehensive and easy to read — much of it is also available from the camera’s menus with a single button press.

Conclusion

This is a brilliant semi-professional dSLR for those looking to go full-frame, equal in image quality to the Nikon D3. If you don’t need the extra speed of the D3, the D700 is a smaller, lighter and less pricey alternative with a few nifty new features that are certainly worthy of consideration. I used the camera with an optional AF-S Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED lens.

SPECS:

• Manufacturer: Nikon
• Model: D700
• Price: $5199 (body only)
• Effective Pixels: 12.1 million.
• Image sensor:  36.0 x 23.9mm CMOS (Nikon FX format).
• Viewfinder: SLR eye-level pentaprism, 95per cent FX frame coverage
• Monitor: 3-inch LCD, 920,000 pixels (VGA), 170-degree viewing angle, 100 per cent FX frame coverage
• Shutter: 1/8000 to 30 seconds in steps of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV, bulb. Rated for 150,000 exposures
• ISO: 200 to 6400 in steps of 1/3, 1/2 or 1EV (also supports ISO 100 and ISO 25600 equivalent)
• Exposure Metering: Matrix, centre-weighted, spot
• Media: CompactFlash Type I (UDMA-compliant)
• File Format: NEF (RAW) 12-bit or 14-bit, JPEG, TIFF
• Interface: USB2.0, composite video out, HDMI video out
• Batteries: Rechargeable Lithium-ion
• Dimensions: 147 x 123 x 77mm
• Weight: 995g without battery or memory card

CONTACT:

www.nikon.co.nz

PROS:

• Full-frame (Nikon FX format) 35mm image sensor
• 3-inch LCD screen (VGA, 920k pixels)
• Outstanding feature range and customisability
• Massive accessory system available from Nikon

CONS:

• A little heavy

This review is from D-Photo issue #026.

Fraser Kitt

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