Updated (February, 2012): Compare the Nikon D4 vs Nikon D800

Nikon D700

88

"Fast and accurate 51 point auto-focus even in low light"
dpreview.com | talking about the D700's auto-focus
"Clean, artifact-free low ISO output with good resolution and detail"
dpreview.com | talking about the D700's image-quality

Reasons to buy the Nikon D700

Low light performance
Low noise at high ISO
2,303 ISO
Viewfinder size
Large viewfinder
0.72x
Sensor size
Large sensor
Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
Focus points
Many focus points
51
Built-in flash
Built-in flash
External flash not needed
Nikon D3

87

Tie

Nikon D3

Reasons to buy the Nikon D3

Low light performance
Low noise at high ISO
2,290 ISO
Continuous shooting
Rapid fire
9 fps
Sensor size
Large sensor
Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
Shutter lag
Barely any delay taking photos
88 ms shutter lag
Battery life
Great battery life
4300 shots
Focus points
Many focus points
51

differences

Advantages of the Nikon D3

Battery life Much longer battery life 4300 shots vs 1000 shots
Help
Around 4.5x more shots per battery charge
Continuous shooting Shoots significantly faster 9 fps vs 5 fps
Help
80% faster continuous shooting
Shutter lag Significantly less shutter lag 88 ms vs 197 ms
Help
2.2x less delay when taking photos
Viewfinder coverage Much better viewfinder coverage 100% vs 95%
Help
Around 10% better viewfinder coverage
Storage slots Has more storage slots 2 vs 1
Help
More slots allows storing more images without switching memory cards
Overall image quality Slightly better image quality 81.0 vs 80.0
Help
Almost the same
Startup delay Slightly less startup delay 300 ms vs 400 ms
Help
Around 30% less delay when turning on
Nikon D3 Learn more about
the Nikon D3

Advantages of the Nikon D700

Sensor cleaning Has a self cleaning sensor Yes vs No
Help
Removes dust from the sensor automatically, avoiding spots in photos
Size Significantly smaller 147x123x77 mm vs 160x157x88 mm
Help
Around 40% smaller
Viewfinder size Slightly larger viewfinder 0.72x vs 0.70x
Help
Around 10% larger viewfinder
Thickness Significantly thinner 3" vs 3.5"
Help
More than 10% thinner
Built-in flash Built-in flash Yes vs No
Help
A built-in flash is useful for taking indoor shots where there is little light
Weight Lighter 1,074 g vs 1,300 g
Help
Around 20% lighter
Nikon D700 Learn more about
the Nikon D700
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent pro DSLRs, and ignoring price

Nikon D3 Nikon D3
87 vs 88
Explain scores
Nikon D700 Nikon D700
Green arrow Too close to call! Snapsort considers these cameras too competitive to make a clear recommendation.

advice

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0
votes
by Sherry-McCollum last month
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1
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One person recommends the Pentax K-5:

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0
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by Jos-Ab-lio-Perez this month
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by Petter-Persson last month
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similarities

Compared to recent DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Low light performance Relatively low noise at high ISO Help
D3:2,290 ISO
D700:2,303 ISO
Overall image quality Good image quality Help
D3:81.0
D700:80.0
Sensor size Very large sensors Help
Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
Color depth Good color depth Help
23.5 bits
Focus points Lots of focus points Help
51
Viewfinder size Above average viewfinder size Help
D3:0.70x
D700:0.72x
Weather sealed Weather sealed Help
Shoot in extreme weather
Viewfinder Both have pentaprism viewfinders Help
Pentaprism
Fastest shutter speed Fast max shutter speeds Help
1/8000 of a second
Weight Heavy Help
D3:1,300 g
D700:1,074 g
Autofocus No video autofocus Help
Manual focus only
HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
True resolution Capture low resolution images Help
12.1 MP
Screen flips out No flip-out screens Help
Less flexible
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Movie format Do not shoot movies Help
No movies
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
6,400 ISO

Compared to recent pro DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Supports RAW Supports RAW Help
Better editing
Light sensitivity (boost) Poor boost ISO Help
25,600 ISO
Cross type focus points Few cross-type focus points Help
15
Screen size Very small screens Help
3.0"

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$1,000 body only

$1,100 with 55-200mm lens

Movie format Records higher quality movies
Dynamic range Has slightly wider dynamic range
Sensor size Has a much smaller sensor
Shutter lag Has significantly more shutter lag
Nikon D800

Nikon D800

Pro DSLR

$2,999 - $3,000 body only

Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has significantly better image quality
Thickness Is thicker
Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Pro DSLR

$2,130 body only

$2,875 - $2,999 with 24-105mm lens

Movie format Records higher quality movies
True resolution Takes significantly higher resolution photos
Shutter lag Has significantly more shutter lag
Focus points Has much fewer focus points
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $597 body only

$600 - $697 with 18-55mm lens

Movie format Records higher quality movies
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Lens focus motor Doesn't have a built-in focus motor
Canon EOS 7D

Canon EOS 7D

Pro DSLR

$1,549 - $1,821 body only

$1,620 - $1,849 with 18-135mm lens

Movie format Records higher quality movies
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Sensor size Has a much smaller sensor
Shutter lag Has slightly more shutter lag
Nikon D300S

Nikon D300S

Pro DSLR

$1,690 - $1,700 body only

$2,547 - $4,295 with 18-200mm lens

Movie format Records lower quality movies
Lens availability Significantly more lenses available
Sensor size Has a much smaller sensor
Shutter lag Has significantly more shutter lag
Nikon D90

Nikon D90

Entry-level DSLR

$897 body only

$1,047 with 55-200mm lens

Movie format Records lower quality movies
Lens availability Significantly more lenses available
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Sensor size Has a much smaller sensor

Nikon D3 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Nikon D3.

Nikon D700 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Nikon D700.

appearance

Nikon D3 Nikon D700
Nikon D3 Nikon D700
Nikon D3 Nikon D700

discussion

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