Saturday, April 1, 2017

Nikon D700 review: Cheap entry into the full format

With the same image quality as the D3, the Nikon D700 is a semiprofessional case with a built-in flash that performs well on brightening portraits.


Full format with 12 megapixels


Demanding amateurs, however, should consider whether they absolutely need the full format, because they can save a likewise very good D300 with APS-C format sensor again around 1.100 euros. The D700 as a second camera will be considered by professionals who swear by the D3 for a variety of reasons.


Image quality


Buying advice Nikon system: The DSLRs of the middle class D90, D7000 and D300s


Features


The second full-format DSLR in the Nikon system closes a price gap: Approximately 1,500 euros costs a D300 body, around 4,200 euros must be applied for a D3. The D700, on the other hand, comes with an entry price of 2,600 euros, which is a whole lot cheaper than the D3.


Autofocus and Performance


Both use a CMOS in full format (here 36 x 23.9 mm) with a nominal resolution of 12 megapixels for image recording. The pixel size is 8.5 μm, much more than the D300 (5.5 μm).


The CMOS used with the D3 has a very high sensitivity up to ISO 6400, which can be amplified by two stages up to 25600. The lower basic value is indicated with ISO 200, whereby the sensitivity can be reduced by a further light value (according to ISO 100).


In contrast to the D3 wanted Nikon with the D700, in spite of the size of the CMOS, do not do without a sensor cleaning system. As in the case of the D300, high-frequency shaking movements are to be carried out, which is the guarantor of good cleaning results in the prior art.


From the manufacturer's point of view, the D700 concept did not hide the fact that the D3 and D700 are equipped with the same sensor and the expeed image processor - which can also be attested by the laboratory results Code>


The values ​​for the limit resolution lie between 1233 and 1194 LP / BH, the object contrast between 10 and 9 diaphragms, the noise between 0.6 and 1.0 and the kurtosis value, respectively, based on the total measured ISO range of 100 to 1600 (Rendering low-contrast structures) at 0.2 - an excellent result.


In total, the D700 is even slightly ahead of the D3 (56.5 / 55.5 / 54.5 / 52.5 points) with 57/57/56/53 points at ISO 100/400/800/1600, Which can be neglected in practice.


However, the D700 can record a noteworthy plus in terms of picture quality in the white balance. In the color reproduction, it was noticed that a better result is obtained when setting to "Neutral" (with somewhat reduced color saturation) with 7.5 DeltaE than with the standard setting with 10.3 DeltaE. One can assume that this also applies to the D3. These settings can be found under "Configure image optimization"


For recording images, the D700 has a slot for CompactFlash cards, and a second card slot like the D3 is in vain. In addition, Nikon has abandoned the unlocking lever for the card compartment at the rear that is typical of the higher models.


Comparison test: 11 Card reader in the test


Searcher with Extras


Instead, as with D40, D60 and D80, push the memory compartment cover slightly to the side to snap it. This may seem less elegant than the solution with the release lever, but works no less well and eliminates the latent problem of inadvertent lever operation.


The D700 is very similar to the D300, but is slightly larger and about 160 g heavier - a solid mixture of magnesium and plastic components, including a built-in pop-up flash, which lacks the professional housing of the D3 Code>


Its typical features include the integrated rechargeable battery handle with operating elements for taking pictures in portrait format. The D700 is designed for the D700, but the D700 is the best choice for the D700


With the MB-D10 including D3 battery (EN-EL4a) or eight Mignon cells the D700 is to reach its maximum image frequency of 8 B / s. With the standard battery EN-EL3e are measured according to measurement 5 frames per second. For comparison: the D300 reaches 6 B / s, the D3 creates 9 B / s.


The camera technology of the D700 is also known by the sister models D300 and D3. This includes the AF-Module Multi-CAM 3500DX with 51 measuring fields, including 15 cross-sensors, and a measuring range from LW -1 to 19 (ISO 100 at 20 ° C).


Guide: How modern AF drives work


The 3-inch monitor with 307,000 pixels is extremely high-resolution, color-neutral and easy to read from any angle. Live view is possible, also with AF support, whereby phase and contrast AF are available alternatively. In the case of the tripping delay including the AF time, the D700 is a lane slower than its larger sister D3: 0.30 / 0.54 s at 3,000 / 30 lux versus 0.23 / 0.44 s.



The optical viewfinder of the D700 is a pentaprism construction with a search magnification of 0.72x, equal in this point to the D3 - which is clear in comparison to the D300 by the much larger roof edge prism. However, the D700 is not 100 percent as good as the professional model, but only 95 percent as with most other SLR models.


Buying advice Nikon system: The full-format cameras D700, D800 / E, D3x and D4


As with the D3, the picture field on the D700 can be switched from the full format (FX) to the APS-C format (DX). In the case of the D3, there is a complex electronic search masking for this case, whereas the D700 only displays a suitable picture frame.


In return, the D700 offers however in the viewfinder fadeable grating lines, as one knows also from other Nikon models. In the D3 one must exchange the viewfinder disc - which is again not possible with the D700. Likewise, you do not need to record spoken comments on individual pictures - that's only possible with the D3.


Both models can be used to display an artificial horizon to precisely align the camera on the tripod. The corresponding graphic can also be displayed on the D700 in the live view image, with the D3 one has this possibility only when the firmware update 2.0 has been played.


Nikon D700

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