Nikon D810 via Adorama
Photo geeks, gear heads, and camera nerds listen up! This post is just for you. Nikon today (or yesterday by the time I post this…) just announced the new D810, a consolidation of the D800 and the D800E. I’m a photographer and not a gear review guy, but I get a lot of requests from readers to weigh in…. should you get one? Should you pass? While that is much more of a personal question, my hope is to add a little value to the core camera geek’s potential purchaser’s day by sharing my initial thoughts. Keep in mind, I’m referring mostly to the ‘concept’ of the camera (is it a good camera in the line of pro / am lineup), do the specs make sense, and do I think it’s a good value.
So then, here’s a quick 2 cents… The D800 was a super solid camera when I posted about it two years ago, but the D810 adds a handful of meaningful upgrades to the system. Some of its improvements below:
_36.3 megapixel full-frame sensor (same as D800) but paired with Expeed 4 processing for sharper images, 30% faster
_up to 5fps still image shooting (7 if you’re in DX with a battery grip)
_1080p HD video at 60, 30, and 24 fps.
_noise-free images from ISO range of 64-12,800 (expands to ISO 32-51,200).
_Live View with spot white balance
_Built in stereo microphone for audio recording
_weight = 31.7 oz (roughly the same as the D800)
_Expeed 4 engine
_51-point AF (straight outta the D4s)
_Zebra stripes for exposure checking in video mode
_Uncompressed HDMI output with simultaneous recording to memory card (bonus)
This might look and feel like the same camera as the D800, but that upgrade to the Expeed 4 processing is going to make a LOT of the difference here (same processing system from the D4s I think!) It’ll allow for crisper shots at high ISOs and jettisons the low pass filter from earlier iterations of the D800. Not only that, but thanks to the updated processor, the D810 shoots slightly faster as well. Note: I have had ZERO face time with the camera, so I can’t go too in-depth on all the changes, but if they send me one, I’ll have more to say/share (BTW, I’m not counting on it. They got scared of me when I started using iPhones and Canon’s to shoot video… Golden boy to Anarchist 🙂
If you haven’t seen the pictures of it, she’s very, very similar to the D800, but check out images of the camera below in case you want to get an idea of what you’re in for.
The question I’m asked every time a new camera comes out… Chase, are you getting this camera? My answer in this case is no. But not that I wouldn’t want it… It just can’t replace my D4. It would be great wildlife or portrait shooter, but I do too much high speed action and need that 10 or 11 Fps. I also don’t need to chop up my sensor to get 36 megapixels… But I see why some people would love it. So that’s all for me on this quick hit. You asked, so I posted 😉 LMK what y’all think/ first impressions/feelings and I’ll try to respond?
[Reminder that Nikon plays close attention to this blog, so your comments on this post — glowing or otherwise — might help inform Nikon about what you’re thinking.]Get all the juicy Nikon D810 updates and/or pre-order over at Adorama.
“_Zebra strips for focus checking in video mode” – that’s probably a mistake as zebras are for exposure control.
Thanks for the great article!
Fabian
Sorry, no. Too little too late. This thing’s not going to get anyone excited about Nikon. The market’s moving faster than Nikon can read/react and pushing D800 refreshes is not going to get anyone really excited.
Multiple MILCs are chewing up the lower range of this thing. Anything higher is D4s territory. This segment at this price point is a closing-window. All of the hype’s around Fuji/Sony/Oly pushing up into FF territory with better built-ins and better video to boot. Kick this thing down into the $2400-2600 range to compete with the GH4 (trading off FF better images quality vs video quality) and the A7s head-to-head and you end up with a killer contender. But at $3200? Really? Sorry, that’s targetting a consumer niche that’s not all that savvy and, IMO, you’re not going to move a lot of models that way.
You don’t have a ton of R&D tied up in this thing – move some SKUs, generate some Nikon-hype and get the market excited about Nikon again so when you DO launch the next big thing people are primed and ready instead of having invested in other camera systems.
Thanks for the review. Been looking at replacements for D700’s, but can’t seem to find the right combo of resolution and manual controls. Looks like I may just have to go with 36 MP’s.
I think Nikon is on the right path with the D810 with their consolidation of the D800 and D800E. I’m a Pro|Am photographer and I selected the D800E due to it having slightly more clarity when printing large prints. Why muddy the water with 2 versions of a camera so close in capability to one another? Basically dropping the D800 and updating the D800E with minor updates is a much clearer path which I applaud. I really vacillated between which camera (800 or 800E) to get till Matt Kloskowski pointed out the difference at large print sizes. Once I saw that the choice was clear.
I’ve been a Nikon guy ever since I first met the late Galen Rowell and we hiked around Colorado shooting. I sell my large format prints (smallest 24″36″) through galleries, retail stores and online and with their 36 megapixel sensor and a pano system, (Really Right Stuff) I can reach the image quality that more expensive medium format cameras have offered. I have to thank Nikon for that, as a Pro|Am photographer digital medium format was just out of reach. (I use to carry a Fuji GX617 around with me and Galen would just shake his head and run up the road ahead of me. Medium format is a little heavy too.) Nikon is an excellent camera system, but like a lot of companies they sometimes try to segment their market up by criteria that just isn’t there. My recommendation to Nikon would be to be clear in who your camera model is designed for. Do what Jobs did to Apple when he returned – make clear your product line’s intended uses. Like Chase said – he shoots a D4 for it’s ability to catch action. I shoot a D800E because I shoot landscapes and architecture. Each camera has it’s intended audience and they should build their marketing and support structure around each. OK, maybe that was 3 cents worth of opinion……… 🙂
Good thoughts Gary, much the same way I feel about the issue(s).
Hi Chase,
Great quick overview on the D810, i totally agree, great camera and made a just more solid platform for the generalist.
Awesome specs and performance and the new Reduced size RAW file format is a awesome feature.
But yip, i think i will stick with my trusty D4 for now, i do a lot of wildlife and would rather get that extra shot than having the higher pixel count on the D810.
Awesome work on your site and video’s
Cheers
Adriaan