Nikon D700 Digital SLR Camera - Review

By: PhotographyBlog

The D700 is Nikon's second full-frame, FX-series DSLR camera, following on from the more expensive pro D3 model. The Nikon D700 features the same 36x24mm, full frame, 12.1 megapixel CMOS sensor as the D3, housed in a more compact and lighter body. The amazing ISO range of the D3 is retained by the D700 - ISO 100 - 25600 should cover most lighting conditions! It also borrows liberally from the cheaper D300 model, with the same integrated dust reduction system, almost identical continuous shooting speeds, and similar control layout. All three high-end Nikon DSLRs offer a 51-point auto-focus system, 3 inch LCD screen, Live View mode and a HDMI port for connection to a HDTV.

Easy of Use:- Our recent review of the 12-megapixel CMOS sensor-sporting DX format D300 concluded that it was, for most intents and purposes, 'all the DSLR you'd ever need'. So will there be any superlatives left in the trunk for lauding the newer D700, which sits in Nikon's range between that earlier DSLR and its equally recommended bigger brother, the D3, while borrowing liberally from both? The Nikon D700's headline specification includes an effective resolution of 12.1 million pixels from a full frame FX format CMOS sensor, the same as that found within the D3. It's Nikon's second FX camera after that flagship model, the difference being that, like the D300, it sports a smaller and lighter body design while retaining its 3-inch LCD with Live View. At 995g without accessories though, the D700 is still reassuringly hefty and brick-like when gripped. In fact it boasts a thicker magnesium alloy body than the D300, along with better weather sealing that, claims Nikon, may not be of quite the same standard as the D3, but is not far behind. So, in the Nikon D700, are we looking at a 'best of both worlds' DSLR for the pro, semi pro, or deep-pocketed enthusiast?

Arguably the D3's main selling point was not only full frame capture but also its frighteningly fast capture speed: nine frames per second or 11fps in DX crop mode (1.5x magnification factor). This enabled it to just nose ahead of its nearest competitor in Canon's 10fps, 10.1 megapixel 1D Mark III as the tool du jour for sports and action photographers. The D700 by contrast – and matching the D300 – offers up to a maximum 8fps, but with the caveat of requiring an optional multi-power battery pack to achieve said speed. Otherwise it's up to a less impressive (by contrast) 5fps, whereas the D300 offered a maximum 6fps. Still, at a body-only UK asking price of £1,999.99, the D700 does suggest itself as a back up for D3 owning professionals without – at first glance - too much in the way of compromise. After all it borrows the D3's (and D300's) 51-point auto focus system, and Nikon would have us believe the D700's response speeds are the same, with Expeed image processing once more on board to zip things along.
On launch, Nikon was also keen to flag up the fact that the D700 boasts an advanced scene recognition system that can detect human skin tones and track subjects by their colour. When using a type G or D lens and in Auto area AF mode – selected via a three-option switch on the camera back – it uses colour information and special face recognition algorithms to automatically focus on a subject's face. Nikon suggests this as an aid when there's not time to select a focus point, or alternatively when shooting handheld in Live View mode at high or low angles. We were sent a review sample that came bundled with a high performance standard lens in the AF Nikkor 50mm F/1.4D, suggesting that those shooting portraiture in available light – with the D700 again boasting light sensitivity topping out at an incredible ISO 25600 equivalent – are another prominent target market. Aiming at a greater variety of test samples we also managed to wangle an image stabilised (or as Nikon would have it VR-equipped) Nikkor 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G (IF) zoom for more general-purpose photography.

Though your first impression when viewing the Nikon D700 front on is of a fairly clean fascia, that's because what ports and controls there are tend to visually fade into the D700's none–more-black matt bodywork. With lens mount positioned right of centre, top right of this are two ports covered with rubber flaps kept in place via attachment to the strap eyelet at the right hand side (viewed lens-on). As on the D300, these protect a flash sync terminal and beneath a ten pin remote port. As we noted at the time, both are preferable to the more usual screw cap or removable plug that could easily go astray. Immediately below this pairing is a raised lens release button, while below again is a rather stiff yet familiar three-option switch allowing the user to quickly alternate between the three focus modes. These are: single servo AF (the camera focusing when shutter button is depressed halfway), continuous servo AF (the camera engaging predictive focus tracking if the subject moves, with the default result that the shutter can occasionally be released even if the subject isn't in focus), or user-controlled manual focus option.
Remaining at the right of the lens mount, and moving up the Nikon D700 to just under the hump that houses the pop up flash, we find two buttons nestling into its gently curved slope. As on the D300, the top one activates the built-in flash, which springs immediately and satisfyingly upright with a dull clunk, while the lower one – when used in conjunction with the main command dial – provides access to the various flash modes or, with a twist of the sub command dial at the top of the grip, the ability to adjust its strength from -3EV to +1EV. The dials provide just the right amount of resistance, and the effect of turning them can be seen via the icons and numbers displayed in the top plate LCD, more on which later.
Still examining the Nikon D700's front plate and moving across to the other side of the lens we find a depth of field preview button and, a short distance below, a function button marked with the abbreviation 'Fn'. Pressing down on this and turning the main command dial located top right of the D700's back allows the user to control the number of bracketed shots in a sequence incrementally, from three shots to nine. Pressing down on this again, and alternatively rotating the sub command dial located at the top of the grip at the front, allows the selection of exposure increments. This Fn button can additionally be used in conjunction with the flash to lock down its output, maintaining a consistency of bulb strength appropriate to the subject even when they, or it, are not centre of the frame. Alternatively you can choose to customize the Fn button and assign to it a wide array of roles, accessed once again in conjunction with the command dials. As with its high-end forebears, there's certainly plenty to 'play' with on the D700.
Directly in a line with and above the DOF preview and Fn buttons at the front is a triple purpose window for the AF assist illuminator, self-timer lamp plus red-eye reduction lamp. Again this is exactly the same as that found on the D300. Finally, and above the familiar red Nikon signature strip at the top of the chunky handgrip, is the aforementioned sub command dial. Like the main command dial this is ridged to allow incremental accuracy when quickly spinning through options in the heat of the moment. Ergonomics are good too, it being readily accessed with a quick forward dart of the forefinger, seeing as it is positioned mere millimeters below the shutter release button. Incidentally, and not be in possession of the longest digits, I found squeezing my forefingers around the chunky grip on the D700 – approx 8cm in depth, 4cm in width – while my thumb rested on the rear leather-effect padding a tad uncomfortable at first. I don't recall the same issue when rating the D300 or D3, with perhaps the size difference more noticeable having come to the D700 from consumer models in the Canon's 1000D and Pentax's K20D. With 24-120mm lens attached, the D700 is truly doorstop like in both weight and dimensions.