The Nikon D700 seemingly adopts the D3's spec inside a D300 body, but is the Nikon D700 too good to be true and how does it compare to the D3? The What Digital Camera Nikon D700 review investigates...

Product Overview

Overall rating:

95%

Nikon D700

Overall score:95%
Value:95%
Performance:95%
Image Quality:95%
Features:95%
Design:95%

Pros:

  • Noise control, LCD screen, overall image quality, focusing system, metering, white balance

Cons:

  • Very minor handling issues, Capture NX 2 only a trial

Product:

Nikon D700 Review

Manufacturer:

Price as reviewed:

£1,650.00

Nikon D700 Review

The Nikon D700 pitches its price pretty much bang inbetween the Nikon D300 and Nikon D3, and so further saturates the enthusiast/professional DSLR sector with an affordable professional model. Whilst the Nikon D300 and Nikon D3 models have each gone on to set a impressive benchmark for the sectors they represent, the Nikon D700, like the D3 before it, is a full-frame sensor model, which breaks new ground in terms of high-sensitivity image quality, especially at this lower price point. So is the Nikon D700 the camera to buy, and does seemingly replace the D3? The What Digital Camera Nikon D700 review investigates…

 

Nikon D700 review – Features

Despite the core elements of the Nikon D700 essentially being the same as the Nikon D3’s, there have been a number of alterations which explain why its RRP is almost £1,400 lower. Beginning with the similarities, the same fullframe, FX-format CMOS sensor outputs an effective resolution of 12.1MP, from a total value of 12.87MP. This has been paired with the EXPEED processing technologies also adopted by the Nikon D3, which deliver a 14-bit Analogue to Digital (A/D) conversion and 16-bit image processing. Nikon claims that this ensures smooth tonal gradations in both Raw and JPEG files, with the single-engine processing responsible for rapid operational speed and and a high signal-to-noise ratio up to ISO 6400.

After this point the Nikon D700 has further increments of sensitivity, effectively extending the range from ISO 100 to 25,600. Being outside of the camera’s ‘standard’ sensitivity range, these settings result from the method of bit-shifting rather than conventional sensitivity control. Noise reduction may be applied to both high-ISO shots and long exposures, with the Auto ISO control option further enabling you to set both a maximum sensitivity and minimum shutter speed at which you wish the camera to operate. This is particularly useful for non-stabilised telephoto optics for the prevention of image blur.

 

Nikon D700 review - sample image depth of field

 

The Nikon D700 also provides support for both DX and FX format lenses, which is much to Nikon’s credit. This is in contrast with Canon’s prohibition of EF-S lens support on its 1D and 1Ds models, and makes sense given the more enthusiast market at which the model is aimed. To achieve this, though, images may only be captured at a maximum resolution of 5.1MP and the standard DX conversion factor of 1.5x applies. In terms of image optimisation Nikon’s Active D-Lighting system is present, and works by applying an adjustment curve for the benefit of shadow and highlight retention. It differs from standard D-Lighting in that adjustments are made as the image is being processed, rather than applied to images post-capture, although D-Lighting is also an option in the Retouch menu among a host of other retouching options. Four Picture Controls allow images to be captured in Standard, Neutral, Vivid or Monochrome formats, with the further option of editing, naming and saving your own variations in-camera (as well as in the Capture NX2 software). As if that wasn’t enough, Picture Controls can be shared between DSLRs and computers once they have been defined, and even downloaded from Nikon websites.

The Nikon D700 has the 3D Colour Matrix II metering system – also carried from the Nikon D3 – with its 1,005 pixel RGB sensor said to analyse brightness, contrast and AF area among other factors to determine accurate metering. Furthermore, it works in tandem with Scene Recognition technology which optimises white balance, exposure, i-TTL control and focus, all ‘within milliseconds prior to shutter release’.

As with metering, we also see the same incarnation of the Nikon D3’s 51-point Multi-CAM 5300 AF system. 15 cross-type centre points are vertically arranged in a 3×5 formation, with a further 18 each to the left and right. The system supports single point, auto area and dynamic focusing options, with a further 3D Tracking option available with the latter setting. This utilises colour information from the aforementioned RGB sensor to help keep track of moving subjects, while the auto and single-point area options are said to recognise people and skin tones to effectively provide face recognition.

Live view is available, with the D700 supporting both manual and auto focusing. The view may be magnified up to 13 times (past 100%) and viewed on the camera’s 3in LCD screen, which has a high resolution of 920,000 dots and a viewing angle of 170°. Tethering the camera to a computer is also an option via the Camera Control 2 Pro software, though unfortunately this doesn’t come bundled with the camera.

The D700 hosts a number of other features which you could spend many happy hours discovering. The Virtual Horizon facility essentially functions as an inbuilt spirit level, and may be overlaid onto the live previewing of an image, while the Custom Functions menu allows no less than 50 various adjustments, from assigning options to the Func button to a host of flash options and everything in between. You can even choose from five options to define the diameter of the centreweighted metering area – certainly a far cry from my Halina disc camera days.

So what of the differences? Well, arguably the main criticism of the Nikon D3 is that there’s no form of either dust prevention or removal with regards to the internal components. Thankfully, Nikon has seen fit to include the piezoelectric-based sensor-cleaning system that debuted on the Nikon D300, which is complemented by a dust-mapping facility via the Capture 2 NX software. The inclusion of dust-reduction has had a knock-on effect on the viewfinder’s coverage, which differs from both the Nikon D300 and Nikon D3 in offering 95% coverage with a 0.72x magnification factor. This reason for this is that the mechanism had to be modified to cover the full-frame sensor, as up until now it’s only featured on the DX-format Nikon D300. The other major difference is the inclusion of a built-in flash. This is somewhat unusual for a model of this calibre, and its guide number of 12 @ ISO 100 may make it a little redundant for professionals’ needs (also compounded by the sensor’s low-light abilities). Of course, for fill-in situations it’s there if you need it and support for Nikon’s TTL and i-TTL flash algorithms allows for external units to be triggered wirelessly. This includes the new Speedlite SB-900 which was launched at the same time as the D700. There are many other minor differences, pertaining to the camera’s operation and feature set. Instead of the Nikon D3’s 9fps burst depth the D700 manages 5fps, though this may be boosted to 8fps with either the EH-5A mains adaptor or MB-D10 battery pack. Curiously, while the Nikon D3 can also rattle off 11fps in its DX mode, the D700 retains a constant maximum 5fps rate at default, regardless of what format you’re shooting in. The shutter mechanism is also different and has been tested to 150,000 cycles, and there’s no microphone and speaker for audio notation. The camera also loses one of the Nikon D3’s two CompactFlash slots, while a sliding cover and large release button allow for card removal as opposed to the Nikon D3’s cover-popping button. There’s also no secondary LCD screen underneath the main one for checking exposure and image parameters, and the Info button has lost its assignment to the Lock button, now sitting on its own to the right of the LCD screen. Finally, the Nikon D3’s option to shoot in a 5:4 format is also missing.

 

Nikon D700 review – Design

While the feature set is akin to that of the Nikon D3, the real selling point of the Nikon D700 is that it’s in a body that resembles the smaller Nikon D300. Much of the design treads along the same path and at first glance it’s easy to mistake the two models, though the viewfinder chamber on the D700 stands much prouder from the top-plate. It also has a rounded eyecup like the D3’s, to the right of which sits a mechanical shutter blind which helps to prevent stray light from entering the chamber during long exposures.

To withstand the rigours of professional use, the Nikon D700 is sealed against moisture, dust and even electromagnetic interference. It’s been constructed from a magnesium alloy frame and features a similar button and control arrangement to previous Nikon models. Buttons for accessing the menu, zooming in and out of images and an OK button sit along the left-hand side of the rear, while the top-plate plays host to white balance, image quality and sensitivity controls, as well as featuring a dial for accessing single shot, continuous and live view modes. Mirror lock and self-timer functions are also present among these.

The multi-control dial from the Nikon D3 has made its way onto the Nikon D700, which features a confirmation button in its centre. It’s encircled with a locking ring which, when locked, restricts the changing of the selected AF point via the dial. Around the side of the camera are ports for mains supply, USB connection, video out and HDMI output, while flash sync and remote sockets fall just above the lens release on the camera’s front. The other side of the camera is half occupied by the rubber grip, and half by a memory card door. Personally, I prefer the D700’s card removal method to that of the Nikon D300 and the D3. It’s far easier to simply slide the cover and eject the card than to fiddle with a small latch or, in the case of the D3, to open a separate door to press a button which opens the the card door. The button for ejecting the card is surprisingly large and comfortable to press, meaning that none of the uncomfortable finger jabbing associated with smaller eject buttons is an issue here.

There is, however, decidely less room around the back for your thumb to breathe than on the Nikon D300, and the raised rubber edge gives the area an uncomfortably small definition. I didn’t find this too big a problem while shooting, though carrying the camera around meant that my thumb would often be chaffing against the edge. As the D700 is a pro model, I’m also a little surprised at how little room there is on the inside of the grip. The problem isn’t so much with the size of the grip itself, but the depression within it where I could just about fit my three fingers. Again, it’s very slightly more defined than on the Nikon D300, which I prefer. These issues won’t apply to everyone and depend on how you shoot, hold and operate a camera.

 

More info:

Nikon D700 features

Nikon D700 image quality and value for money

Nikon D700 verdict

Nikon D700 specifications

Compare the Nikon D700 with other products

 


  1. 1. Nikon D700 Review
  2. 2. Performance
  3. 3. Image Quality & Value For Money
  4. 4. Verdict
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