Nikon D800 Review

The D800 shares basically the same form factor as its predecessor the D700. Both models have a built-in flash and lack the integrated vertical grip of Nikon's top-end DSLRs, which is available instead via an accessory battery grip. There are differences though - some minor, some major.

The D800 has identical high ISO performance to the Nikon D4, with double the resolution. Nikon and its pitchmen like to get people to think the D4 is better, while as you can see, it just looks much worse at its very highest settings. The real reason the D4 is better in low light isn't image quality, for which the D800 is proven as slightly better than the D4, but the D4's superior viewfinder. The D4 uses individual LEDs to light each AF area clearly without interfering with your view of the subject, but the D800's inferior dark LCD rectangles, lit poorly from the side by one big LED, make it very difficult to see either your subject or the AF zones if it's very dark.

IMG Source : Amazon.com

The D700 to D800 transition starts with a complete rethink of the shapes and controls. At first glance, the two are twins (see pictures, below). At second glance, you see that they're not identical twins. The D800 is more rounded in a number of areas and has a completely redesigned hand grip, complete with some rethinking about the shutter release position. A record movie button has been wedged into the area behind the shutter release. The Shooting Method dial and the buttons up top have had a modernization, and we get a BKT button out of the deal. The flap covering the connectors on the left side of the camera (as you hold it) is now a door, and inside we've lost the standard AV out, gained a microphone in and headphone jack, and the USB connector is now 3.0 mini. The Focus Mode control on the front of the camera is now the D7000-style button+lever. Out back we've got a slightly larger display, a new Live View control, and the Zoom buttons have swapped.

Not surprisingly, some Nikon D700 owners–who had been awaiting an update to the popular DSLR–were surprised and a little disappointed that the D800 wasn’t more in line with their expectations, especially given that the new camera tripled the D700’s 12 megapixel sensor. Granted, as a huge fan of the D700, I was disappointed, too (although the D600 has since eased the pain). Rather than an update to the D700, one might think of the D800 as a new category of camera in Nikon’s DSLR line–one that offers a huge amount of resolution for a comparatively affordable price tag along with advanced video features.

Overall, the D800’s design and control layout provides convenience and easy operation. As always, there’s enough consistency across Nikon DSLRs that it is unlikely current users will need more than, perhaps, a cursory glance at the user guide to get up and running with the D800. Non-Nikon users will probably benefit from more than a quick look at the guide (printed Quick Start and full User guides are bundled with the camera).

The video is almost too good on the D800 and D800E. The problem is sub-sampling. When shooting the rather low 2mp of HD video (1920x1080), the D800 models are skipping over a lot of pixels. The compression Nikon uses (a form of AVC at 24Mbps, basically) isn't "bad enough" to mask moire and edge artifacts. You'll want to use diffraction impacted apertures to help with this, but that starts to muss up the detail. Simply put: watch out for fine detail when shooting video, especially if that detail is moving.

Uncompressed video out the HDMI port is as good as I've seen from any DSLR, despite the sub-sampling issues. If you can keep your focus field tight on a subject that isn't producing artifacts, the video can be stunning, even though it's really only 8-bit 4.2.2 (we really want 10-bit 4:4:4 to get video up to the levels of "raw" that we get from stills). Clean, clear, sharp (sometimes too much so), and if you're paying attention, even broadcast approved (make sure HDMI/Advanced/Output range is set to Limited range and the video stream will stay within broadcast IRE limits for white and black).

Specification Nikon D800

Auto Focus Technology	Phase Detect Multi-area Selective single-point Tracking Single Continuous Face Detection Live View
Autofocus Points	51
Color	Black
Compatible Mountings	Nikon F (FX)
Continuous Shooting Speed	6 fps
Display	LCD
Display Fixture Type	Fixed
Display Resolution Maximum	921,000
Display Size	3.2 inches
Effective Still Resolution	36.3 MP
Expanded ISO Maximum	6,400
Expanded ISO Minimum	100
Exposure Control Type	Programmed auto with flexible program (P) Shutter-priority (S) Aperture priority (A) Manual (M)
External Memory Included	Yes
File Format	NEF (RAW): 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed or uncompressed, TIFF (RGB), JPEG
Flash Memory Type	Compact Flash (Type I), SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I compliant
Flash Modes Description	Red-eye reduction,Slow synchronization
Flash Sync Speed	1/250_sec
Flash Type	Built-In Flash
Flash Type	Built-in Flash, Hot-shoe, Wireless plus sync connector
Focus Description	Multi-CAM3500 FX Phase detection with 3D tracking
Focus Type	Automatic with Manual
Form Factor	Mid-size SLR
GPS	Optional
HDMI Type	Mini Type C
ISO Range	100 - 6400 in 1, 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps (50 - 25600 with boost)
Image Aspect Ratio	5:4, 3:2
Image Stabilization	None
Image types	RAW
Item Dimensions	4.84 x 3.23 x 5.75 inches

Price Nikon D800 From Amazon : $2,649.95
Price Nikon D800 From Ebay : $2,150.00