Nikon D700 Key Features
- 12.1 megapixel full-frame sensor (8.45µm pixel pitch)
- Image Sensor Cleaning (vibration) *
- ISO 200 – 6400 (with boost up to ISO 25600 and down to ISO 100)
- Also supports DX lenses, viewfinder automatically masks (5.1 megapixels with DX lens)
- 14-bit A/D conversion, 12 channel readout
- Same ultra-fast startup and shutter lag as D3
- Nikon EXPEED image processor (Capture NX processing and NR algorithms, lower power)
- New Kevlar / carbon fibre composite shutter with 150,000 exposure durability *
- Multi-CAM3500FX Auto Focus sensor (51-point, 15 cross-type, more vertical coverage)
- Auto-focus tracking by color (using information from 1005-pixel AE sensor)
- 95% coverage, 0.72x magnification viewfinder *
- Auto-focus calibration (fine-tuning), fixed body or up to 20 separate lens settings
- Scene Recognition System (uses AE sensor, AF sensor)
- Picture Control image parameter presets
- 5 frames per second continuous with auto-focus tracking*
- Optional MB-D10 Battery Pack (same as D300), increases burst rate to 8 fps *
- UDMA compatible single CF card slot *
- 3.0" 922,000 pixel LCD monitor
- Live View with either phase detect (mirror up/down) or contrast detect Auto Focus
- Virtual horizon indicates if camera is level (like an aircraft cockpit display)
- HDMI HD video output
- 'Active D-Lighting' (adjusts metering as well as applying D-Lighting curve)
- Detailed 'Control Panel' type display on LCD monitor, changes color in darkness
- Magnesium alloy body with connections and buttons sealed against moisture
- Improved Info display on main screen *
* Different to D3
The D700 in the Nikon line-up
The table below shows how the D700 squeezes into the Nikon DSLR line-up, between the APS-C D300 and the full-frame D3.
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Nikon D300 |
Nikon D700 |
Nikon D3 |
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| Dust removal | • Self-cleaning filter • Dust-off image |
• Self-cleaning filter • Dust-off image |
• Dust-off image |
| Sensor size | 23.6 x 15.8 mm | 36 x 23.9 mm | 36 x 23.9 mm |
| Effective pixels | 12.3 million | 12.1 million | 12.1 million |
| FOV crop | 1.5x | 1x | 1x |
| Sensitivity range (boost setting) | (100), 200 – 3200, (6400) | (100), 200 – 6400, (25,600) | (100), 200 – 6400, (25,600) |
| Shutter life | 150,000 exposures | 150,000 exposures | 300,000 exposures |
| Continuous rate (high) | 6.0 fps (8.0 fps with battery grip) | 5.0 fps (8.0 fps with battery grip) | 9.0 fps (11 fps in DX crop mode) |
| Continuous buffer | • 100 JPEG Norm • 17 RAW |
• 100 JPEG Norm • 17 RAW |
• 130 JPEG Norm • 17 RAW |
| Built-in flash | • Manual pop-up • Guide no. 12 (ISO 100) |
• Manual pop-up • Guide no. 12 (ISO 100) |
None |
| Storage | CF (inc. UDMA) | CF (inc. UDMA) | CF (inc. UDMA) x2 slots |
| Viewfinder | • 100% coverage • 0.94x magnification |
• 95% coverage • 0.72x magnification |
• 100% coverage • 0.7x magnification |
| Top panel LCD | Yes | Yes | Yes (plus rear info panel below screen) |
| Battery | 11.1 Wh | 11.1 Wh | 27.75 Wh |
| Vertical grip | Yes, MB-D10 | Yes, MB-D10 | Built in |
| Dimensions | 147 x 114 x 74 mm (5.8 x 4.5 x 2.9 in) |
147 x 123 x 77 mm (5.8 x 4.8 x 3.0 in) |
160 x 157 x 88 mm (6.3 x 6.2 x 3.4 in) |
| Weight (no batt) | 825 g | 995 g | 1240 g |
| Weight (inc batt) | 903 g | 1075 g | 1420 g |
Technology under the skin
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| FX format sensor (Nikon design) | Sensor and sensor cleaning module |
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| RGB 1005 segment metering sensor | EXPEED processor |
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| Weather sealing on the D700 body | |
| Body material | Magnesium alloy |
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| Sensor | • 36 x 23.9 mm CMOS sensor • FX format • RGB Color Filter Array • Built-in fixed low-pass filter • 12.87 million total pixels • 12.1 million effective pixels • 3:2 aspect ratio |
| Image processor | Nikon EXPEED |
| A/D conversion | 14 bit |
| Image sizes (FX format) |
• 4256 x 2832 [L; 12.1 MP] • 3184 x 2120 [M; 6.8 MP] • 2128 x 1416 [S; 3.0 MP] |
| Image sizes (DX format) |
• 2784 x 1848 [L; 5.1 MP] • 2080 x 1384 [M; 2.9 MP] • 1392 x 920 [S; 1.3 MP]] |
| File formats | • NEF (12-bit or 14-bit, compressed or lossless compressed RAW) • NEF + JPEG • TIFF • JPEG (EXIF 2.21) |
| Lens mount | • Nikon F mount with AF coupling and AF contacts • No field of view crop (full-frame) • When using DX lenses / DX mode 1.5x FOV crop |
| Usable lenses |
• DX AF Nikkor: All functions supported |
| Auto Focus | • 51 focus points (15 cross-type sensors) • Multi-CAM 3500FX • AF working range: -1 to +19 EV (ISO 100, normal temperature) • AF fine tuning possible • Contrast Detect in Live View (Tripod) mode |
| Lens Servo | • Single Servo AF [S] • Continuous Servo AF [C] • Manual focus [M] • Focus Tracking automatically activated by subject's status in [S] or [C] AF |
| Focus Point | • Single point from 51 or 11 focus points • Liveview (Tripod mode): Contrast AF on a desired point anywhere within frame |
| AF Area Mode |
• Single point AF |
| Focus Lock |
Focus can be locked by pressing shutter-release button halfway (single-servo AF) or by pressing AE-L/AF-L button |
| AF assist |
AF-assist illuminator (range approx. 0.5-3 m/1.6-9.8 ft.) |
| Exposure modes | • Program Auto [P] with flexible program • Shutter-Priority Auto [S] • Aperture-Priority Auto [A] • Manual [M] |
| Metering |
TTL full-aperture exposure metering using 1005-pixel RGB sensor |
| Metering range | • 3D Color Matrix Metering: 0 to 20 EV • Center-Weighted Metering: 0 to 20 EV • Spot Metering: 2 to 20 EV • At normal temperature (20°C/68°F), ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens |
| Meter coupling | CPU and AI |
| Exposure lock | Locked using AE-L/AF-L button |
| Exposure bracketing |
• 2 to 9 frames |
| Exposure compen. | • +/-5.0 EV • 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV steps |
| Sensitivity |
• Default: ISO 200 – 6400 in 1/3, 1/2 or 1.0 EV steps |
| Shutter | • Electronically-controlled vertical-travel focal plane shutter • 30 to 1/8000 sec (1/3, 1/2 or 1.0 EV steps) • Flash X-Sync: 1/250 sec • Bulb |
| DOF Preview | • Stop-down lens aperture by pressing button • Activates modeling flash |
| White balance | • Auto (1005-pixel CCD, image sensor) • Presets (seven) with fine tuning • Manual presets (five) • Color temperature in Kelvin (2500 – 10000 K) • White balance bracketing (2 to 9 frames in increments of 1, 2 or 3 |
| Picture Control | • Standard • Neutral • Vivid • Monochrome |
| Image parameters | • Sharpening: Auto, 10 levels • Contrast: Auto, 6 levels, Custom tone curve • Brightness: 3 levels • Saturation: Auto, 7 levels • Hue: 7 levels |
| Color space | • sRGB • Adobe RGB |
| Viewfinder |
• Optical-type fixed eye-level pentaprism |
| Focusing screen | • B-type BrightView Clear Matte IV Screen • Superimposed focus brackets • On-demand grid lines |
| LCD monitor | • 3.0 " TFT LCD • Approx. 920,000 pixels (VGA; 640 x 480 x 3 colors) • 170° viewing angle 100% frame coverage • Brightness adjustment |
| LCD Liveview |
• Handheld mode: TLL phase-detect AF with 51 focus areas (15 cross-type sensors) |
| Shooting modes | • Single frame • Continuous Low [CL]: 1 – 5 fps (1 – 7 fps with Battery Grip) • Continuous High [CH]: 5 fps (8 fps with Battery Grip) • Liveview [LV] • Self-Timer (programmable) • Mirror-up mode |
| Self-timer | • 2 to 20 sec custom |
| Flash |
• Manual pop-up type |
| Flash control |
• TTL flash control with 1,005-pixel RGB sensor; i-TTL balanced fill-flash and standard i-TTL fill-flash available with SB-900, 800, 600 or 400 |
| Flash Sync Mode | • Front-curtain Sync (normal) • Red-Eye Reduction • Red-Eye Reduction with Slow Sync • Slow Sync • Rear-curtain Sync |
| Flash Accessory Shoe |
ISO 518 standard-type hot shoe contact; Safety lock mechanism provided |
| Flash Sync Terminal | ISO 519 standard terminal, lock screw provided |
| Flash compensation | • -3 to +1 EV • 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV steps |
| Creative Lighting System |
With Speedlights such as SB-900, SB-800, SB-600, SB-R200, or SU-800 (commander only), supports Advanced Wireless Lighting, Auto FP High-Speed Sync, Flash Color Information Communication, modeling flash and FV lock; built-in flash can be used as a commander |
| Orientation sensor | Tags images with camera orientation |
| Playback mode | • Full frame • Thumbnail (4 or 9 images) • Zoom • Slideshow • RGB histogram • Shooting data • Highlight point • Auto image rotation • image comment (up to 36 characters) |
| Languages |
• Chinese (Simplified and Traditional) |
| Connectivity |
• USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed) Mini-B connector |
| 10-pin terminal |
• GPS: NMEA 0183 (Ver. 2.01 and 3.01) interface standard supported with 9-pin D-sub cable and GPS Cable MC-35 (optional) |
| Storage | • Compact Flash (Type I only) • UDMA supported • 36 characters of text can be input and stored in EXIF header |
| Power | • Lithium-Ion EN-EL3e • Included dual battery charger MH-18a • Optional AC adapter EH-5a/EH-5 • Optional Battery Pack MB-D10 |
| Dimensions | Approx. 147 x 123 x 77 mm/5.8 x 4.8 x 3.0 in. |
| Weight (no batt) | Approx. 995 g/2.19 lb. |
| Operating environment |
Temperature: 0 – 40 °C / 32 – 104 °F, Humidity: under 85% (no condensation) |
| Box contents |
Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e, Quick Charger MH-18a, USB Cable UC-E4, Video Cable EG-D100, Camera Strap AN-D700, Body Cap BF-1A, Accessory Shoe Cover BS-1, LCD Monitor Cover BM-9, Software Suite CD-ROM (Supplied accessories may differ depending on country or area) |
| Optional accessories |
Wireless Transmitter WT-4, Magnifying Eyepiece DK-17M, AC Adapter EH-5a, Capture NX 2 Software, Camera Control Pro 2 Software, Image Authentication Software |
Side by side: D3 vs D700 with MB-D10
The D700 is compatible with the D300's MB-D10 Multi Power Battery Pac, which can accept one EN-EL4a/4/3e or eight AA-size batteries. With the MB-D10 attached the D700 feels very much like a D3 (it's actually a fractionally taller combination) and offers high-speed continuous shooting of full size 12.1MP images at a rate of up to 8 fps (when using EN-EL4a/4 or eight AA-size batteries).
This isn't quite D3 speed, but is getting close (note that there's no 'speed up' when shooting in crop mode – 8 fps is the absolute maximum). Unless you have a real need for this ultra high speed shooting it could be argued that the D700 / MB-D10 combination is actually more versatile than a D3, giving you the option to carry a smaller lighter body when speed isn't so crucial.
In your hand
Aside from being a bit heavier and having a much bigger full frame viewfinder, the D700 handles exactly the same as the D300. This is no bad thing; as we said at the time we reviewed the D300, you really have to pick it up to appreciate how nicely it fits into your hand. The ergonomics are great and the soft rubber used on the grip ensures holding the camera steady is an easy task. The control layout is also very sensible and easy to learn; even if you've never used a Nikon DSLR before, the clear labeling and logical positioning mean you'll be shooting and discovering the D700's features very quickly, and if you are coming from the D3 or D300 you'll be right at home.
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LCD Monitor
The D700 shares the D3 and D300's new large, high resolution LCD monitor. It has four times the number of dots than the 230,000 unit used on the D2X and other such cameras. For clarity, the words pixels and dots are interchanged almost randomly in specification sheets but strictly speaking we should talk of dots (these being red, green or blue sub-pixels) when referring to the figures quoted by manufacturers. The D700's LCD has 921,600 dots, 1920 columns by 480 rows, the dots are a third thinner than they are high and so each group of three dots (sub-pixels) make up one full color pixel.
This high resolution screen really has to be seen to be appreciated, it's beautifully detailed and extremely smooth in appearance because the tiny gaps between dots are too small to be seen with the eye. This extra detail is obvious in live view and playback modes where you really can see much 'more' of the image in one glance. Another difference comes when you magnify in playback as you find you don't need to magnify the image as much before you can clearly see sharpness, focus accuracy and even noise.
One other difference between the D3/D300/D700's screen and that used previously is the layout of the dots (sub-pixels), this new screen has the same layout as your computer LCD, a simple RGB layout with all rows the same ('stripe array'). The other layout used on small LCD screens is the 'delta array' which uses an RGB pattern on one row then a BRG pattern on the row below, offset by half a pixel.
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| Stripe array layout LCD | Delta array layout LCD |
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Below you can see a real-life, same-size example of the difference in resolution between this new 921,600 dot screen (on the D300, but it's the same as the D3 and D700) and a more typical 230,400 dot screen (in this case on the Canon EOS 40D). Both cameras were set in play mode with the same image (note that the D300 doesn't use the whole screen in play unless you magnify), a shot was taken of each camera from the same distance (hence the screens were captured at the same magnification).
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| Crop from the D700/D3/D300's LCD (1920 x 480 dots; 640 x 480 pixels) |
Crop from the EOS 40D's LCD (960 x 240 dots; 320 x 240 pixels) |
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Top Control Panel
Unlike the D3, the D700 has only one status / control panel display, which resides on the top plate (there's no room on the back for another). The panel has a green back light which can be illuminated by flicking the power switch to the lamp position, it's spring loaded and returns to 'ON', the back light stays on for the 'auto meter-off' time. You can also choose to have the backlight come on with any button press.
Top Control Panel
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| 1 | Flexible program indicator | 15 | Frames remaining / buffer / capture mode / WB rec / manual lens number |
| 2 | Shutter speed lock | 16 | White balance |
| 3 | Shutter speed / multi function *1 | 17 | Intervalometer |
| 4 | Exposure compensation | 18 | Battery |
| 5 | Flash compensation | 19 | 'Clock not set' indicator |
| 6 | Exposure, flash and WB-bracketing | 20 | MB-D10 battery |
| 7 | Color temperature | 21 | White balance fine tuning |
| 8 | Aperture stop | 22 | Flash mode |
| 9 | Aperture lock | 23 | Image quality |
| 10 | Aperture / brack. increment / shots per interval / Max aperture (non-CPU lenses) | 24 | Image size |
| 11 | Beep indicator | 25 | ISO / Auto ISO sensitivity |
| 12 | Multi exposure | 26 | Flash sync indicator |
| 13 | GPS connection | 27 | Exposure mode |
| 14 | Exp display / exp comp / brack. progress / tilt indicator |
Displays
The D700 comes with the same excellent high resolution VGA screen that we first saw on the D3 and D300. It has a very fine pixel pitch which means you don't see any gaps and that makes for both very detailed but also surprisingly smooth gradations in flat areas of the image. Compared to a lower resolution screen this this certainly improves both Record review and playback. It's not necessary to zoom into images quite as far in playback in order to check sharpness / focus accuracy and it also transforms manual focus in live view mode into a very easy task.
Shooting information
Press the info button in shooting mode (except live view) to show a full screen 'shooting information' display, we first saw a screen like this implemented in the D40 and there are certainly circumstances where having this level of information on one single screen can be very useful. The D700's shooting information screen automatically (or optionally manually) switches from light background to dark background in low light situations. Like on the D3 and D300 the information display disappears as soon as you half-press the shutter release button and does not return, you have to press info again, it would have been nice to have a 'persistent shooting information' custom function.
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| Light screen background | Dark screen background (low light) |
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Quick settings display
The Quick Settings display is a new feature that we've first seen on Nikon's D60 entry level DSLR. Press the info button in shooting mode and you'll get the shooting information display. Press it again and you'll enter the Quick settings display (the two rows of settings at the bottom of the screen). Here you navigate using the multi-controller and press OK or the multi-controller button to access and change a setting. Settings you can change in the Quick Settings display include the shooting bank, High ISO and long exposure noise reduction and the function of the preview and Fn buttons.
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| Light screen background | Dark screen background (low light) |
Virtual horizon
Like the D3 the D700 features the Virtual horizon which provides an aircraft-cockpit type live virtual horizon on the LCD monitor indicating the current orientation of the camera, perfectly horizontal or vertical and the camera axis line turns green (shown on the right below). By default the Virtual Horizon is viewed via an option from the Setup menu (although can be assigned to a button) and disappears as soon as you half-press the shutter release.
The tilt sensor can also (perhaps more practically) be displayed on the top LCD panel or inside the viewfinder (using the exposure scale) if it is assigned to the Fn button. A new (and very useful) option on the D700 is to superimpose the Virtual Horizon onto the Live View image. This option has been implemented as one of the display modes and you can cycle through those by pressing the Info button in Live View.
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| Viewfinder indication: no tilt | Viewfinder indication: CW tilt |
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| Viewfinder indication:CCW tilt | Top panel indication |
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| Live View indication: tilt | Live View indication: no tilt |
Record Review
You can choose for the D700 to display a review of the image taken immediately after shutter release. The type of display used will be the same as the last mode used in playback (histogram, thumbnail index, details etc.). Record review has all of the functionality of playback mode, this means it's easy to delete, magnify, protect etc. The image will remain on the screen for the 'Monitor off delay' CSM c4 or until you half-press the shutter release.
Playback
Press the Playback button to enter playback mode, press the multi selector up or down to change display mode, up to seven different pages of display detail are available. You can change the amount of information available in the basic and detailed photo display modes including optional blinking highlights and focus point display as well as the three pages of shooting information in detail mode. Note that you can switch the up/down and left/right functions of the multi selector via CSM f4 and that you can choose to also use the command dials to browse / change page via CSM f9.
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Basic photo display: file number, folder, filename, date & time, quality, size. Optionally you can also display the focus point (shown here). |
Basic photo display with optional Highlights |
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Detailed photo display: image thumbnail, histogram, exposure information and other data as per default display |
Detailed photo display optional RGB histogram page |
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| Detailed photo display data 1: metering mode, shutter speed, aperture, exposure mode, ISO, exposure compensation, focal length, lens used, AF mode, VR mode, flash mode and flash compensation | Detailed photo display data 2: white balance & fine tuning, color space, picture control and image parameter adjustments |
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| Detailed photo display data 3: noise reduction, active d-lighting, retouching, comment |
Playback Zoom
The D700's playback zoom is implemented in the same manner as the D300's (and therefore different to the D3's). You use the zoom button to select zoom amount (on the D3 you use the combined zoom / thumbnail button with the rear command dial) and can use the multi-selector to move around the magnified image. Just like on the D3 and D300 there are eight zoom levels, on the high resolution screen the last two go beyond 1:1 and provide an enlarged pixelated view.
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[…] [ Moschos on-line ] » Nikon D700, D300 and D3 information Unless you have a real need for this ultra high speed shooting it could be argued that the D700 / MB-D10 combination is actually more versatile than a D3, giving you the option to carry a smaller lighter body when speed isn't so crucial. The panel has a green back light which can be illuminated by flicking the power switch to the lamp position, it's spring loaded and returns to 'ON', the back light stays on for the 'auto meter-off' time. You can also choose to have . […]