First Look

Replacing both the D800 and the D800E, the new D810 slots into Nikon’s lineup just below the D4S and just above the D610.

Nikon bills the D810 as being pitched at professional and ‘advanced aspirational’ photographers.

//

With 36.3MP of resolution, the D810 boasts the highest image quality of any camera currently in Nikon’s lineup. This is further enhanced by the fact that Nikon have removed the optical low-pass filter.

In a first for a DSLR, the D810’s ISO range starts at ISO 64. Natively it goes up to ISO 12,800, however the range can be extended to ISO 32-51,200.

Plenty of the internals in the D810 have been borrowed from the D4s, not least of which is the Expeed 4 processing engine, which gives the D810 a boost in terms of image rendering and the aforementioned ISO capability.

Image: The Nikon D810’s sensor

Also lifted from the D4s is the Multi-CAM 3500FX AF system, which boasts 51 AF points and Group Area AF mode.

The D810 is able to shoot full-resolution images at up to 5fps, and can manage 7fps in X crop mode (15.3MP).

It also boasts a new Raw Size S file format, which delivers 12-bit uncompressed NEF files that can be transferred faster than ordinary Raw files – useful for photographers who don’t necessarily need the full power of the 36MP sensor.

In terms of metering, the D810 has a new Weighted Metering mode which takes its cue from the highlights of an image. Nikon says this should be particularly useful for theater or concert photography, where the main subject is typically lit by a very bright spotlight.

The 3.2-inch LCD screen features 1,229,000 dots of resolution and an anti-reflective surface. The colour balance and brightness can also be extensively adjusted, and a new split-screen Live View mode allows for quicker, more accurate monitoring.

A number of Picture Control settings allow the user to streamline their post-processing. ‘Flat’ setting maximises dynamic range , while the ‘Clarity’ setting allows for fine adjustments of minute detail.

The magnesium alloy body of the Nikon D810 has been extensively sealed to be resistant against weather and dust.

A new electronic front-curtain shutter has also been included to minimise internal vibations and reduce the risk of slight blur in subtle details.

In terms of movies, some may be surprised to learn that the D810 does not shoot 4K video. What it does shoot is Full HD (1080p) movies in FX and DX format at 50 and 60p.

Videographers have access to the D810’s full ISO sensitivity range, and audio can be recorded via a 3.5mm jack input. The D810 also features Zebra mode, which indicates when highlights are blown when shooting video.

The Nikon D810 will be on sale from July 17, priced £2699.99 body-only. We’ll have our hands-on first thoughts of this new camera up soon, so check back with us.