Nikon D700 Review | 108 Data compared

The digitalkamera.de review highlights the Nikon D700 as a high-performance, weather-sealed, full-frame DSLR combining the 12.1-megapixel FX-format sensor and EXPEED image processor of the D3 flagship into a more compact, D300-style magnesium alloy body. Key strengths include exceptional high ISO noise performance up to native ISO 6400, a fast 51-point autofocus system with 3D tracking, and rapid shooting speeds of up to 8 fps with the optional battery grip. Conversely, compromises include a 95% coverage optical viewfinder, a single CompactFlash (CF) card slot, and a cumbersome, first-generation Live View implementation. Additionally, the camera lacks video recording, weighs approximately 1 kilogram, shows slightly weaker automatic white balance under artificial light, and features a lower 150,000-cycle shutter rating compared to the D3.

summary of the Nikon D700 review: The Nikon D700 is a highly praised, professional-grade full-frame DSLR that delivers exceptional performance at a price point that makes it somewhat accessible to hobbyist photographers. Built with the exact same 12.1-megapixel CMOS sensor as the bulkier, more expensive Nikon D3, the D700 is uniquely housed in a body as compact as the APS-C-format Nikon D300. It exhibits outstanding technical speeds, including a rapid 0.1-second startup time, a 0.2-second shutter delay, and a continuous shooting rate of 4.9 frames per second. The camera shares several premium features with the D300, such as a sharp 3-inch display, a 51-point autofocus system (including 11 cross-type sensors), live view functionality, and a built-in sensor cleaning mechanism. The primary advantage (pro) of this camera is its magnificent full-frame image quality. Lab results show consistent high-resolution performance across standard ranges, with noise levels at ISO 800 proving lower than what hobby DSLRs achieve at ISO 100, and highly usable image output even at ISO 6,400. Additional pros include a large and bright viewfinder with a closeable shutter to prevent...

The Nikon D700 is a highly regarded full-frame digital SLR camera that packs the powerful capabilities of the flagship Nikon D3 into a more compact body similar in size to the DX-format D300. Evaluated by CHIP and celebrated across the photography community, this 12.1-megapixel workhorse bridges the gap between high-end professional performance and amateur accessibility. Its primary pros include its class-leading high ISO performance, allowing photographers to confidently shoot in challenging low-light conditions with exceptionally clean, film-like organic grain rather than clinical digital noise. Additionally, it features a blazingly fast and accurate 51-point autofocus system inherited directly from the D3, a rugged weather-sealed magnesium-alloy construction, an integrated self-cleaning sensor, and a versatile built-in flash capable of wirelessly triggering off-camera lighting setups. YouTube · However, the camera does come with notable cons, particularly when judged by modern standards. A glaring omission for contemporary creators is its complete lack of video recording capabilities, rendering it strictly a still-photography tool. Furthermore, while the camera is lighter than the chunky D3, its robust magnesium body makes it significantly large and heavy compared to modern...

The Nikon D700 is an outstanding full-frame all-rounder camera that is highly praised for its exceptional low-light performance and image quality, making it perfectly suited for concert and indoor photography without a flash. Equipped with a 12.1-megapixel sensor, it provides an ideal balance between file size and noise reduction. The camera's main strengths lie in its harmonious noise handling at high ISO levels—such as ISO 3200—where it drastically outperforms cropped-sensor alternatives like the D300. Additional pros include the robustness and ergonomics of the body, a reliable 51-point autofocus matrix, a bright 3-inch VGA display, a helpful viewfinder grid option, and highly flexible 14-bit RAW (NEF) files that offer massive headroom for shadow and highlight recovery in post-processing softwares like Aperture 3. On the downside, the physical size and weight of the setup are substantial; the body alone weighs 995 grams, and paired with professional lenses, a complete gear kit can easily reach up to 10 kg. Transitioning to this full-frame system also requires expensive, specialized lenses to avoid severe resolution drops and darkened edges caused by using DX lenses. Minor...

The blogger upgraded to the Nikon D700 primarily for its impressive full-frame FX sensor, which provides excellent ISO performance up to 3200 and superior control over depth of field compared to his previous DX-format Nikon D90. Additional key advantages include the 51 autofocus points, the ability to take up to 9 exposures in a bracketing sequence for HDR photography, and a significantly increased burst rate from 5 to 8 frames per second when utilizing the MB-D10 battery grip loaded with Sanyo Eneloop batteries. The reviewer notes that the camera pairs flawlessly with high-end FX lenses, such as the AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED and the AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VRII, as well as the advanced SB-900 speedlight, which integrates seamlessly via the i-TTL system. Despite his strong enthusiasm, the review highlights several limitations and practical drawbacks. A notable constraint is that using older or smaller DX lenses forces the camera into a crop mode, which drastically reduces the resolution to just 6 megapixels, rendering them impractical for regular use. The substantial weight and physical bulk of professional-grade setups—specifically the large f/2.8...

summary of the review: Review Summary The Nikon D700 is evaluated as a highly robust, magnesium-alloy DSLR that provides an exceptionally familiar experience for users upgrading from the D300 or D200 due to its identical body shape and layout. A standout pro of this FX full-frame camera is its large, bright viewfinder, which offers a vast window for composition that far outperforms DX "peephole" viewfinders. The 12.1-megapixel sensor excels significantly in low-light environments, delivering low-noise images at high sensitivities up to ISO 3200 and 6400, while rendering noise in a pleasing, film-grain-like pattern. Additionally, it features a built-in sensor-shaking dust reduction mechanism, up to four custom user-setting profiles, a helpful digital horizon level mapping to the exposure bar, and full integration into Nikon's Creative Lighting System (CLS). Conversely, the reviewer highlights several prominent cons, most notably a cheap, sliding memory card door design inherited from entry-level models like the D40, which lacks a locking switch and opens accidentally far too easily. The physical size of the prism housing is bulky, making the camera take up more space in a camera...

The dkamera.de review highlights the Nikon D700 as a robust full-frame DSLR, praising its 12.1 MP CMOS sensor for exceptional low-light performance and the fast 51-point MultiCAM3500 autofocus system. Its sturdy, weather-sealed body, 5.5 fps burst speed, and 3.0-inch, 920k-dot display are noted as key advantages for professional use. Conversely, the review notes the single CompactFlash slot lacks redundancy and the built-in flash creates shadows with wide-angle lenses. Furthermore, the camera relies on an outdated USB 2.0 interface for transfers and lacks modern video capabilities.

The Nikon D700 is a classic full-frame DSLR offering flagship-level performance in a durable, compact, and affordable body. Key strengths include a rugged magnesium alloy build, excellent 12.1-megapixel low-light capabilities with organic colors, a 51-point autofocus system, and an intuitive, button-heavy interface. YouTube ·One Performance limitations, reflecting its era, include a 5 fps shooting speed (expandable to 8 fps with the MB-D10 grip) and a 150,000-shot shutter rating. The camera lacks video capabilities, features a single CF card slot, has a 95% viewfinder, and offers lower resolution, which limits cropping compared to modern cameras.

The Nikon D700 review concludes that the camera delivers exceptional image quality, serving as a reference model in testing due to its 12.1-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor. Its low-light performance is highly impressive, maintaining detailed RAW images with minimal noise even at high sensitivities like ISO 1,600 and ISO 3,200. Key strengths include instantaneous startup times, a highly accurate autofocus system, and a robust burst-shooting mode capable of recording 5.5 frames per second in parallel RAW and JPEG modes. Additionally, the camera features excellent physical build quality, comprehensive customization options, a bright 3.0-inch display, a centering metal tripod mount, and optional expansion capabilities for GPS and Wi-Fi modules. Conversely, the review notes several practical limitations, most notably the lack of an in-body optical image stabilizer and the scarcity of compatible stabilized lenses, which heavily restricts its handheld utility and makes it better suited for studio environments using a tripod. Image detail drops significantly when shooting in JPEG format compared to RAW, meaning users must shoot in RAW to maximize sharpness. Furthermore, using the Live View mode leads to noticeable heat generation...