CamerasOnly - Digital Photography Blog

by RitzCamera.com
Digital camera reviews, new products, and other information from the world of photography...

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

Preorder the Nikon D700 DSLR

Order the Nikon D700 now! Expected ship date is late July 2008.

Nikon has announced its newest digital SLR, which is available for pre-order at Ritz Camera:

Nikon D700 digital SLR cameraThe Nikon D700 is the latest DSLR utilizing the large FX sensor first released in the Nikon D3. With the FX sensor and 12.1 megapixels, the image size and quality is virtually identical to the more expnsive D3, but with other features more comparable to the Nikon D300, the price is significantly lower.

With a suggested retail price close to $3000, the price of the D700 is about midway between the D300 and the D3, and it is meant for professional photographers or serious amateurs. As with most Nikon DSLR's, it boasts a long list of features from the world leader in digital photography technology. The most obvious feature is probably the bright, high-resolution, 3-inch LCD screen. It's "Live View" capability allows composing your shot via the LCD monitor, with two modes depending on the type of shot you want to take: Tripod mode, which is made for complete control and precision focus, and Handheld mode, wherein the camera's autofocus capababilities are active using all 51 autofocus points.

Other notable features of the Nikon D700 include:

  • An FX-format, CMOS image sensor that has an area of 36.0mm (h) x 23.9mm (v), approximately the same size as a frame of 35mm film. For compatibility with Nikkor DX format lenses, DX cropping mode will automatically switch to DX format when these lenses are used.

  • An extremely wide ISO range with sensitivity from ISO 200 to ISO 6400. In addition, the sensitivity can be technologically enhanced down to ISO 100 and as high as ISO 25,600.

  • The Nikon D700's startup time is a mere 12/100ths of a second, with a shutter lag time of 41 milliseconds. With the normal battery pack, the D700 can capture images as 5 frames-per-second, but when the optional Multi-Power Battery Pack (MB-D10) is used, continuous shooting speed can be boost to 8 fps.

  • A Multi-CAM 3500FX autofocus sensor module features 51 AF points, with a great deal of flexibility in choosing how many and which autofocus points are active. Fifteen cross-type sensors located in the center enable subject detection with lens apertures as small as f/5.6.

  • Four different resonant frequencies are used to clean dust and particulates from the low-pass filter which is attached right in front of the FX image sensor. Cleaning performs automatically, and can also be manually selected.

  • Rugged magnesium-alloy construction: Along with extensive dust and moisture protection and a durable shutter mechanism tested to 150,000 cycles, the D700 merges pro D-SLR performance with expanded agility.

  • The shutter unit employs an assembly made of a new composite carbon fiber and Kevlar hybrid material. Tested on fully assembled cameras, the D700's shutter unit has been proven through 150,000 cycles under demanding conditions. The self-diagnostic shutter constantly monitors and maintains shutter precision to ensure peak performance.

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Friday, August 24, 2007

Nikon D300 - The prosumer's WOW DSLR



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Nikon D300 digital SLRYou can preorder the new Nikon D300 digital SLR right now at RitzCamera.com. Within hours of the D300's announcement, this camera is already in high demand, with a queue forming in anticipation of the first shipment from Nikon. If you want to ensure that you receive yours by the holidays, you should place your order right away.

Nikon D300 in a nutshell; it shares much of the new digital technology in the Nikon D3... Here are the key features of the new Nikon D300 SLR digital camera:

  • A 12.3-megapixel DX-Format CMOS image sensor combined with Nikon's EXCEED digital image processing system
  • A 3.0-inch 920,000-pixel color LCD monitor with 170-degree viewing angle and tempered-glass protective cover
  • High-speed, continuous shooting up to 6 frames per second (up to 8 fps with the optional MB-D10 Multi-power Grip/Battery Pack
  • 51-point autofocus system with 3D Focus Tracking and three Dynamic AutoFocus modes delivers precise, fast auto-focus
  • Nikon's exclusive Scene Recognition System (SRS) gives even more intelligent auto exposure capabilities than previous Nikon models, as well as more intelligent auto white balance detection, and contributes to the faster, more accurate autofocus
  • Nikon's dynamic, integrated Dust Reduction System with self-cleaning ultrasonic sensor
  • New, advanced picture control settings with 4 preset options (Standard, Vivid, Neutral and Monochrome) along with 9 customizable settings
  • Magnesium-alloy construction, advanced dust and moisture protection and a durable shutter mechanism (tested to 150,000 cycles) give the Nikon D300 high reliability when taking outdoor or real-world shots
  • The Nikon D300 should begin shipping in November 2007

Nikon U.S.A. has officially announced the Nikon D300, it's most advanced DX-format SLR digital camera to date. Including many of the professional features found in the Nikon D3, the 12.3-effective megapixel D300 offers serious photography prosumers (professionals and advanced, amateur consumers) incredible flexibilty, reliability and performance.

Like the Nikon D3, the D300 includes Nikon’s EXPEED Image Processing System that maximizes performance in capturing, compressing and storing digital images, while maintaining highest image quality. The Nikon D300 features a newly-designed 51-point autofocus system (with Nikon’s 3D Focus Tracking feature and two new LiveView shooting modes), which allows photographers to frame a photograph using the camera’s 3.0-inch, high-resolution, 920K-point LCD monitor.

The Nikon D300 digital SLR can capture an image at the precise moment you want it; it powers up in a lightning-fast 0.13 seconds and reacts with a miniscule 45 millisecond shutter lag time. The D300 can capture frames at 6 fps, and -- with the optional MB-D10 Multi-Power Battery Pack -- can hit 8 frames per second. The D300 can capture up to 100 shots continuously at full 12.3-MP resolution.

The Nikon D300 includes a variety of the newest digital imaging technologies and usability features that noticeably improve the control, performance, and accuracy for serious photographers. The Scene Recognition System helps the D300 locate the subject and interpret the type of scene being photographed. This data is then used to ensure that the autofocus, auto exposure and white balance performs in the best combination without manual intervention by the D300's user. The camera can identify and track moving subjects better, and subsequently can select focus points faster and more accurately.

The D300 DSLR incorporates an intelligent array of 15 cross-type sensors and 36 horizontal sensors. These sensors can either be used individually or in groups of 9, 21 or 51 focus points.

Nikon's Picture Control System makes it easy for all users apply adjustments to how their pictures are rendered, and choose settings to suit their unique preferences. The system comes with 4 preset options -- Standard, Vivid, Neutral and Monochrome -- attributes of which can be easily changed or customized: Sharpness, brightness, saturation and tone compensation. The camera's users can store up to 9 of their own customized settings, and even "export" up to 99 more settings to a CompactFlash memory card, enabling photographers to share settings between different cameras that include this system.

The LiveView feature of the Nikon D300 allows composing subjects on the birght, super hi-res 920,000-dot, 3-inch LCD screen. Tripod mode is gives very precise focus accuracy when the camera is on a tripod or other stable platform. Handheld mode allows photographers to use the camera’s conventional focusing system, which activates focusing immediately when the shutter is pressed.

As with most advanced DSLR's today, the Nikon D300 includes a self-cleaning sensor unit. The optical low-pass filter in front of the CMOS image sensor is vibrated with 4 different resonance frequencies to shake dust and other foreign particles loose.

The D300 is extremely durable, especially relative to lesser-priced digital SLRs; the case is constructed of magnesium alloy, and rubber gaskets and seals are used at critical joints to prevent dust and moisture from entering the camera's body. The D300's LCD is also strengthened with tempered glass to prevent breakage and/or scratching.

The Nikon D300 can be pre-ordered now and will be available from Nikon Authorized Dealers beginning in November 2007. Final pricing has not been set yet, but it's estimated that the price will be around $1,799.95.

For more information:


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