- Conclusion Get the lowdown
- Features How it compares
- Performance Real world benchmarks
- Differences Technical showdown
- Reviews Word on the street
- Competition Others to consider
- Discussion Answers and opinions
Nikon D800
- 36.2 MP
- Full frame CMOS
- 3.2" LCD
Rated 100% by by TrustedReviews (May, 2012)Overall though, for a camera with such a high resolution and such fantastic overall image quality we really can have no great complaints.
Conclusion Check out the Nikon D800
Features Key features of the Nikon D800
36.2 MP
Full frame
Rated 82% by by DPReview (Jun, 2012)Within each of the six Picture Control options you can make adjustments to sharpening, contrast, brightness, saturation and hue settings.
megapixels
| 0 MP | 15.9 MP    | 40 MP |
Nikon D800 by KD (Jun, 2012)The beauty of a high megapixel camera is that it makes your pictures better at the same megapixel size as your last camera!
Nikon D800 by Photography Blog (May, 2012)Featuring a remarkable 36 megapixel full-frame sensor, the D800 also offers 1080p HD video, a 3.2-inch LCD screen and a viewfinder with 100% coverage.
sensor size
Nikon D800 by Jiunjr-Feng--Robert (Apr, 2012)D800 is my first full frame camera, which I wasn't thinking full frame to be necessary because of good flash is able to handle low light condition, which seems the most key reason for people to choose full frame.
Nikon D800 by E.-Ford--Ed-Ford (Jun, 2012)In addition, though the D800 is a full frame sensor camera it will use my APS-C lenses as well - it simply switches to DX (Nikon's term for APS-C) mode and includes a black frame in the view finder to show the coverage of the lens.
viewfinder size
Nikon D800 by Photography Blog (May, 2012)Otherwise the Nikon D800 is a highly dependable and capable camera that offers a versatile and improved auto focus system, an enhanced viewfinder with 100% frame coverage and a very good movie mode.
Nikon D800 by Joseph-Albanese--The-Joe-Show (Sep, 2012)The minute you hold it, the second you look through the view finder, you will know that you are handling the utmost in photographic quality.
body size
146 x 123 x 82 mm
160 x 157 x 91 mm
160 x 157 x 88 mm
Nikon D800 by Clint (Aug, 2012)It exceeds the quality of medium format film cameras in a much more portable size and weight.
Nikon D800 by Photography Blog (Jun, 2012)It had a great sensor, a robust but relatively lightweight body and a comprehensive feature set, and was sold at a price that many thought was reasonable for all the goodness it offered.
focus points
| 0 | 19   | 60 |
Nikon D800 by P.-SUSo good I am willing to not use any other focus points but the center one for now, until Nikon release a service advisory for it.
Nikon D800 by Nik2133 (Jul, 2012)Did NOT test the other Focus Points in the left bank - the outermost was so much out of focus, that I didn't bother with the others.
Performance Real world tests of Nikon D800
DxOMark image quality
Nikon D800 by Doctor.GenerosityFewer pixels would have enhanced colors and dynamic range and contrast, the non-MP ingredients of meaningful image quality.
Nikon D800 by TrustedReviews (May, 2012)Similarly, there are no digital filters or panoramic modes, although the D800 does offer the standard range of Picture Control settings that can be used to customise the look of still images and videos by adjusting sharpness, contrast, saturation and hue values.
DxOMark low light performance
Nikon D800 by J.-Blaha--JrThe automatic white balance in absolutely amazing in low light conditions, as I shot landscape under a full-moon with long exposure the other night, and it looked like the shot was taken during daylight, complete with the blue sky with stars visible and white clouds, which made for a nice wow factor.
Nikon D800 by K.-Douglas-Anderson (May, 2012)I've also heard that the camera performs badly in low light but find this also to be unwarranted: I do a lot of night shooting.
shutter lag
| 0 ms | 88 ms  | 90 ms |
Nikon D800 by Photography Blog (May, 2012)The Nikon D800 lets you dial in shutter speeds of up to 30 seconds and has a Bulb mode as well for exposure times of practically any length, which is very good news if you are seriously interested in night photography.
Nikon D800 by Raymond (Jul, 2012)Mirror slap is too strong and affects sharpness at shutter speeds at 1/250 or less.
continuous shooting
Nikon D800 by DPReview (Jun, 2012)The continuous shooting rate is also faster, 5 fps rather than 4 fps.
Nikon D800 by DPReview (Jun, 2012)The lockable drive mode dial is where you'll find the continuous shooting, normal and silent single-frame advance modes as well as mirror lock-up and self-timer.
battery life
900 photos
4,300 photos
2,600 photos
Nikon D800 by Phil (Jun, 2012)Battery life is definately something to take into consideration, especially if video is used often.
Our analysis How does it stack up against its top 10 competitors
pros
-
Contrast detection focusing system -
HD video -
95.0 -
Intelligent ISO -
Full frame -
36.2 MP -
Gives you more flexibility when framing your shot -
14.4 ev -
3.2" -
25.3 bits -
1,040 k dots -
51 -
2,853 ISO -
Opaque -
0.25 fps -
Built in flash -
200 ms -
Combines multiple photos together to capture both bright and dark areas -
Preview photos before you take them
cons
-
4 fps -
25,600 ISO -
0 -
The screen is fixed in place -
No geotagging included -
None
Reviews Word on the street
 |  
|
|---|---|
 |
|
 |
|
 | 
|
 | Rated by 244 users at amazon.com Rated 100% by by E.-Ford--Ed-Ford (Jun, 2012) Rated 60% by by W.-Kurtz--B.-Kilgore (Jul, 2012) Rated 60% by by Philip-Long |
Sensor
Nikon D800 | Rated 82% by by DPReview (Jun, 2012)The raw files were processed in ACR 7 with both sharpening and noise reduction set to 0 and a very slight white balance adjustment to match output between all exposures.
Nikon D800 | Rated 82% by by DPReview (Jun, 2012)This lower sensitivity setting is essentially ISO 100 with 1 EV additional exposure and a tone curve adjustment to arrive at a final exposure with the correct brightness.
Nikon D800 | Rated 100% by by J.-Leo (Jul, 2012)I am very pleased with how well the camera handles noise at 3200-6400 ISO!
Focus
Nikon D800 | Rated 82% by by DPReview (Jun, 2012)To be fair, we imagine that for most D800 users, live view will be reserved primarily for critical focus applications like landscapes, still lifes and product photography, where maximum AF speed is somewhat less important than accuracy.
Nikon D800 | Rated 82% by by DPReview (Jun, 2012)As you can see, the camera adjusted shutter speed to create a brighter or darker exposure triggered by the location of the AF point (highlighted in red).
Nikon D800 | Rated 100% by by Ian-Nicholson (Jul, 2012)I often use the camera to shoot wildlife, especially birds, and the autofocus is almost always spot on.
Lens
Nikon D800 | Rated 100% by by Busy-Executive (Dec, 2012)But if you're like me, the big investment is lenses, and I'm happy to say all of my lenses made the transition without issue, as you'd expect.
Nikon D800 | Rated 40% by by Dod713--Dod713 (Apr, 2012)i dont think any camera can beat it, you can zoom it to 400% and still very sharp.
Nikon D800 | Rated 82% by by DPReview (Jun, 2012)Most professional tripods provide a hook from which to hang weights, for extra stability, and when we hung a couple of kilos onto the base of our tripod - a precaution that will be second-nature to many landscape and macro photographers - the problem was effectively eliminated.
Autofocus
Nikon D800 | Rated 20% by by D.-Shin--DSFor two AF Tune will not help and for the other two the value of AF Tune should be.
Nikon D800 | Rated 60% by by Emmanuel--ShutterMan (Apr, 2012)The Canon's sensor seems like 2008 tech, but as I mentioned the AF performance is amazing.
Nikon D800 | Rated 20% by by Tim (Aug, 2012)Not only the left AF point was off but CENTER AF as well!
Photography
Nikon D800 | Rated 100% by by sunnycal (Jul, 2012)Still, dedicated sports shooter expect 8+ fps, which this camera is not capable of simply because it has so much more data to move.
Nikon D800 | Rated 40% by by Raymond (Jul, 2012)I also shoot Weddings and this camera is definitely not suitable for Wedding Photographers (if you really want this many pixels get the d800) because of the Moire.
Nikon D800 | Rated 100% by by RamseyIt's OK, but not up to the standards expected today for sports and wildlife uses.
Competition What else you should consider
 | 1 | Nikon D4 2-way tie: Highest ISO D4 vs D800 |
 | 2 | Sony SLT-A99 Most detailed video recording mode Sony SLT-A99 vs Nikon D800 |
 | 3 | Nikon D600 Least noise at high ISO D600 vs D800 |
 | 4 | Canon EOS 5D Mark III 2-way tie: Many many cross-type focus points Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs Nikon D800 |
 | 5 | Nikon D3 Most shots per battery charge D3 vs D800 |
 | 6 | Canon EOS 1D X Fastest rapid fire mode Canon EOS 1D X vs Nikon D800 |
 | 7 | Canon EOS 6D OK benchmarked shot to shot times Canon EOS 6D vs Nikon D800 |
 | 8 | Nikon D7100 Newest D7100 vs D800 |
New duel?
Let the battle continue or dare to compare.
Popular Questions
If you were to switch camera brands, which camera would you buy?
Tell us what camera you have already, and what camera you would get if you had to switch camera brands.
Should I get D800, D7000 or wait for a possible D600/D400?
Currently, I have a D5000 and I've been feeling for a while that I want to upgrade to something a bit more professional. I would like to start working professionally as a photographer, not I've a...
Outdoors, bird photography?
I am looking for a camera that can get me into bird photography. I think I would need a camera with high shutter speed, number of shots / sec, continuous focusing etc
Latest Questions
Overall Shooting: Nikon D600, D800 or Sony A99
I shoot a little bit of everything from weddings, to skateboarding, to military training/ action. I currently shoot with a D300s and love the size, button placement and feel. I will soon be up a...
D800 or Used D3s ?
I'm A wedding event and portrait photographer and im looking into upgrading to a FX camera from my D7000 ... i already got a 24 70 2.8 and a 70 200 2.8 but now im stuck with this dilemma of the i...
Weddings, family events
My work is wedding photography and event photography family currently use Pentax K-7 computer but I need to change my camera and I'm thinking about using Nikon equipment, I would like to know as...
Unanswered Questions
- 14 discussions
- View more
Low noise at hight sensitivity and hight speed
I lok for lower noise than D700 at hight sensibility hight speed
Portraits, landscapes, night photography
I am having a hard time making up my mind im currently owning a nikon d7000 but im looking for an upgrade to a pro dslr and im stuck between the d800 and d600 i like the 36 megapixles but i know...
The D600, D700 or D800?
I'm stumped. I'd like one of the three, but I don't know which would best suit my needs. I'm looking for a camera that would be good for newborn, children and basic portraiture (couples, family,...
Community Find out what the Sortable community is saying about the Nikon D800
72
people have recommended the
Nikon D800Top Nikon D800 experts at Sortable
- 16.1 MP
- APS-C CMOS
- 3" LCD
What kind of lenses do you have now? If you are using an older kit lens without VR that came with D60, then you might need to upgrade both the body and the lens. D800 is currently the best a...
- 0 comments
- July 23, 2012
- Reply to: Upgrading my equipment: the nikon d800 or d7000 with 4 lenses?
If you've got the money do it, but it's a waste if you're just going to shoot 1.5x crop! YES! The 1.5x crop on the D800 is the FX to DX mode. So you've got an FX sensor operating as a DX So if...
- 0 comments
- October 7, 2012
- Reply to: Birding noise
Whether you upgrade to D800 or wait for D600, you will most likely be looking at upgrading your lenses to FX lenses unless you already have them. You will need to factor in the cost of lens as a...
- 0 comments
- July 5, 2012
- Reply to: Should I get D800, D7000 or wait for a possible D600/D400?
- 22.1 MP
- Full frame CMOS
- 3.2" LCD
Given the two I'd go with the D800. I don't think the Canon is worth the extra $500 that could go towards new lenses. From what I have seen, shot by a friend who owns an 800, it shoots incredibly...
- 0 comments
- October 16, 2012
- Reply to: Can't Decide
*Amazing image quality - check dxomark.com scores - d800 is top sensor quality-wise *AF assist for shooting in low light without flash - 5d m3 does not have that *Amazing quality low price...
- 0 comments
- October 17, 2012
- Reply to: Why would you select the A99 over the D800 or 5D MKIII?
Given the two I'd go with the D800. I don't think the Canon is worth the extra $500 that could go towards new lenses. From what I have seen, shot by a friend who owns an 800, it shoots incredibly...
- 0 comments
- October 16, 2012
- Reply to: Wedding photography
- 24.2 MP
- Full frame CMOS
- 3.2" LCD
ISO is better on D600 at 1:1 pixel level but downsize a 36MP image to 24MP or below and D800 is ahead from everything I have seen... worth a check out. If you have any DX lenses they're very a...
- 0 comments
- November 1, 2012
- Reply to: Overall Shooting: Nikon D600, D800 or Sony A99
How long are you willing to wait? Right now, D600 is but a rumor, and no one knows what the final specs are going to be when it actually comes to the market place. Until it comes to the market...
- 0 comments
- June 29, 2012
- Reply to: Upgrade from Nikon D90
Forget Crop sensor, with Nikon D800 you could get a creative options to crop it & enhance composition. I have experienced it myself as I bought D800E recently.
- 0 comments
- October 16, 2012
- Reply to: Outdoors, bird photography?
