D700 Overview Feature Comparison Press Release
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Nikon D700 Feature Comparison

The following table compares major features of the Nikon D700 to the D300 and D3. What we've done below is to present something of a hybrid comparison between these three models. A red cell means that a given camera performs below the other two, a green cell means that it performs better than the other two, and a yellow cell means it falls between the other two. In cases where two cameras share a superior capability, both their cells will be colored green. Sharp-eyed readers may find some areas where we haven't chosen to highlight a particular difference. Those cases are simply ones that we don't feel are significant in typical use of the camera.

Nikon High-end SLR Comparison
Manufacturer
Nikon
 Nikon Nikon
Model
D300
 D700 D3
Imaging
System
Sensor Manufacturer
 Sony Sony(?) Sony(?)
Sensor Type
 CMOS CMOS CMOS
Color Filter Array
 RGB RGB RGB
Total Megapixels
13.1
 12.87 12.87
Effective Megapixels
 12.3 12.1 12.1
Effective Sensor Size (mm)
23.6 x 15.8
 36.0 x 23.9 36.0 x 23.9
Focal Length Multiplier (approx.)
1.5x
(Nikon DX)
 1.0x
(Nikon FX)		 1.0x
(Nikon FX)
Image Processor
EXPEED
 EXPEED EXPEED
Viewfinder
Type
Eye-level pentaprism
 Eye-level pentaprism Eye-level pentaprism
Coverage
~100%
 ~95% ~100%
Magnification (-1 diopter with 50mm lens at infinity)
0.94x
 0.72x
(but full-frame)		 0.70x
(but full-frame)
Eyepoint (mm)
19.5
 18 18
Dioptric Adjustment Range (diopters)
-2.0 to +1.0
 -3.0 to +1.0 -3.0 to +1.0
Focusing Screen
Fixed Type-B BriteView clear matte screen Mark II, with on-demand grid lines
 Fixed Type B BriteView Clear Matte VI, with on-demand grid lines Interchangeable Type B BriteView Clear Matte VI
Depth of Field Preview
Enabled with depth-of-field preview button
 Enabled with depth-of-field preview button Enabled with depth-of-field preview button
Live View
(on LCD)
 Yes
(2 Modes:
Hand-held mode uses conventional AF sensor;
Tripod mode uses contrast detect AF from image sensor)		 Yes
(2 Modes:
Hand-held mode uses conventional AF sensor;
Tripod mode uses contrast detect AF from image sensor)
Virtual Horizon indicator available		 Yes
(2 Modes:
Hand-held mode uses conventional AF sensor;
Tripod mode uses contrast detect AF from image sensor)
Virtual Horizon indicator available with firmware 2.00
Recording
System
Recording Media / Quantity / Slot Type
Type I or II CF card / Microdrive
UDMA supported
 Type I CF card
UDMA supported		 Dual Type I or II CF card / Microdrive slots
UDMA supported
Compatible File System
FAT 16 / FAT 32
 FAT 16 / FAT 32
FAT 16 / FAT 32
Recording Formats
RAW 12-bit or 14-bit (uncompressed, lossless compressed or compressed NEF), TIFF (32-bit), JPEG
 RAW 12-bit or 14-bit (uncompressed, lossless compressed or compressed NEF), TIFF (32-bit), JPEG RAW 12-bit or 14-bit (uncompressed, lossless compressed or compressed NEF), TIFF (32-bit), JPEG
Maximum Resolution
4288 x 2848

FX format (36 x 24):
4256 x 2832

DX format (24 x 16):
2784 x 1848

 FX format (36 x 24):
4256 x 2832

5:4 format (30 x 24):
3552 x 2832

DX format (24 x 16):
2784 x 1848
Reduced Resolutions
3,216 x 2,136;
2,144 x 1,424

FX format (36 x 24):
3184 x 2120;
2128 x 1416

DX format (24 x 16):
2080 x 1384;
1392 x 920

 FX format (36 x 24):
3184 x 2120;
2128 x 1416

5:4 format (30 x 24):
2656 x 2120;
776 x 1416

DX format (24 x 16):
2080 x 1384;
1392 x 920
RAW + JPEG Recording
Yes, Selectable JPEG resolution / compression
 Yes, Selectable JPEG resolution / compression Yes, Selectable JPEG resolution / compression
A/D Conversion
 12- or 14-bit 12- or 14-bit 12- or 14-bit
Auto crop when DX lens mounted
 n/a Yes Yes
Color Space, Image Parameters &
White Balance
User-Selectable Color Space
Yes
sRGB + Adobe RGB
 Yes
sRGB + Adobe RGB		 Yes
sRGB + Adobe RGB
Processing Parameters
(Contrast, Sharpness, Saturation, Hue) / # of Increments
10 options for sharpening, 7 options for contrast, 3 options for brightness, 7 options for saturation, 7-step hue adjustment.
 10 options for sharpening, 7 options for contrast, 3 options for brightness, 7 options for saturation, 7-step hue adjustment. 10 options for sharpening, 7 options for contrast, 3 options for brightness, 7 options for saturation, 7-step hue adjustment.
Picture Control System
 Yes Yes Yes
Active
D-Lighting
 Yes,
Low, Normal, High		 Yes
Low, Normal, High,Auto		 Yes
Low, Normal, High
WB settings
Auto, 7 manual modes with fine tuning, color temperature
 Auto, 7 manual modes with fine tuning, color temperature Auto, 7 manual modes with fine tuning, color temperature
Manual Color Temperature Setting Range
2,500 ~ 10,000K in increments of roughly 10 mired
 2,500 ~ 10,000K in increments of roughly 10 mired 2,500 ~ 10,000K in increments of roughly 10 mired
WB Adjustment Range
±6 steps in 1-step increments
5 mireds per step
±6 steps in 1-step increments
5 mireds per step
6 steps in 1-step increments
5 mireds per step
Autofocus
System
Type
TTL phase detection by Nikon Multi-CAM3500DX autofocus module
 TTL phase detection by Nikon Multi-CAM3500FX autofocus module TTL phase detection by Nikon Multi-CAM3500FX autofocus module
# of Focusing Points (Focusing Point Type)
51 points (15 cross-type, 36 line type)
 51 points (15 cross-type, 36 line type) 51 points (15 cross-type, 36 line type)
Superimposed Focus Point Display
Yes Yes Yes
AF Working Range (ISO 100 at 20C/68F)
-1 to +19 EV
 -1 to +19 EV -1 to +19 EV
AF Servo Modes
AF-S (single one-shot),
AF-C (continuous tracking)
AF-S (single one-shot),
AF-C (continuous tracking)
 AF-S (single one-shot),
AF-C (continuous tracking)
AF Area Modes
1) Single-point AF,
2) Dynamic-area AF [number of AF areas: 9, 21, 51, 51 (3D-tracking)],
3) Automatic-area AF
1) Single-point AF,
2) Dynamic-area AF [number of AF areas: 9, 21, 51, 51 (3D-tracking)],
3) Automatic-area AF
 1) Single-point AF,
2) Dynamic-area AF [number of AF areas: 9, 21, 51, 51 (3D-tracking)],
3) Automatic-area AF
AF-assist Beam
Yes
Bright incandescent lamp
 Yes
Bright incandescent lamp		 Emitted by an optional dedicated Speedlight
Fine-tune front/back focus adjustment
 Yes (settings for up to 12 lenses) Yes (settings for up to 12 lenses) Yes (settings for up to 20 lenses)
Exposure
Control
Shooting Modes
4 - Program, shutter-priority AE, aperture-priority AE, manual mode.
 4 - Program, shutter-priority AE, aperture-priority AE, manual mode. 4 - Program, shutter-priority AE, aperture-priority AE, manual mode.
Metering Zones
1,005
 1,005 1,005
Metering Modes
1) 3D Color Matrix Metering II (type G and D lenses); Color Matrix Metering II (other CPU lenses); color matrix metering available with non-CPU lenses if user provides lens data; metering performed by 1,005-segment RGB sensor.
2) Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 6, 8, 10, or 13mm dia. circle in center of frame.
3) Spot: Meters 3mm dia. circle (about 2.0% of frame) centered on active focus area (on center focus area when non-CPU lens is used).
 1) 3D Color Matrix Metering II (type G and D lenses); color matrix metering II (other CPU lenses); color matrix metering available with non-CPU lenses if user provides lens data; metering performed by 1,005-segment RGB sensor
2) Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 8, 12, 15, or 20mm dia. circle in center of frame
3) Spot: Meters 3mm dia. circle (about 1.5% of frame) centered on active focus area (on center focus area when non-CPU lens is used)		 1) 3D Color Matrix Metering II (type G and D lenses); color matrix metering II (other CPU lenses); color matrix metering available with non-CPU lenses if user provides lens data; metering performed by 1,005-segment RGB sensor
2) Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 8, 12, 15, or 20mm dia. circle in center of frame
3) Spot: Meters 3mm dia. circle (about 1.5% of frame) centered on active focus area (on center focus area when non-CPU lens is used)
Metering System Working Range
(ISO 100, f/1.4 lens, 20C/68F)
1) EV 0 ~ 20 (Matrix or Center-weighted metering)
2) EV 2 ~ 20 (Spot metering)
 1) EV 0 ~ 20 (Matrix or Center-weighted metering)
2) EV 2 ~ 20 (Spot metering)
 1) EV 0 ~ 20 (Matrix or Center-weighted metering)
2) EV 2 ~ 20 (Spot metering)
Nikon Scene Recognition System
 Yes Yes Yes
ISO Range / Extended
100 / 200 ~ 3200 / 6400
 200 ~ 6,400 / down to 100 in Lo-1 mode; up to 25,600 in Hi -2 mode 200 ~ 6,400 / down to 100 in Lo-1 mode; up to 25,600 in Hi -2 mode
Exposure Compensation
+/- 5EV in 1/2 or 1/3EV increments
 +/- 5EV in 1, 1/2 or 1/3EV increments +/- 5EV in 1, 1/2 or 1/3EV increments
Automatic Exposure Bracketing
2 to 9 exposures in increments of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1EV
 2 to 9 exposures in increments of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1EV 2 to 9 exposures in increments of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1EV
Shutter Speeds,
Frame Rate, Shutter Lag
Shutter Type
Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter
Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter
 Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter
Shutter Durability
~150K cycles
 ~150K cycles ~300K cycles
Shutter Speed Range
1/8000 ~ 30 sec. in steps of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV, bulb
 1/8000 ~ 30 sec. in steps of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV, bulb 1/8000 ~ 30 sec. in steps of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV, bulb
Maximum Frames Per Second / Buffer depth
6.1 fps / 37 large/fine JPEG or 17 (12-bit) RAW fames,
slows to 2.66 fps in 14-bit RAW (measured);
up to 8 fps with optional MB-D10 battery pack

5 fps / 100 JPEG or 23 12-bit RAW or 20 14-bit RAW frames, no slow-down for 14-bit;
up to 8 fps with optional MB-D10 battery pack
(manufacturer spec)

 9 fps / 30 large/fine JPEG or 17 12-bit RAW or 16 14-bit RAW frames, no slow-down for 14-bit (measured);
up to 11 fps in 5.1MP DX Cropped mode
Full AF shutter lag (seconds)
 0.23
(measured)		 0.20
(measured)		 0.085
(measured)
Prefocused shutter lag (seconds)
 0.057
(measured)		 0.045
(measured)		 0.043
(measured)
Flash
i-TTL / Advanced Wireless Lighting
Yes / Yes
(built-in flash can act as Wireless Commander)
 Yes / Yes
(built-in flash can act as Wireless Commander)		 Yes / Yes
(with SB-800 Flash or SU-800 Wireless Commander)
Built-in Flash / Guide Number at ISO 100.
Yes
(12)
 Yes
(12)		 No
Max flash x-sync speed. (sec.)
1/250
1/250
1/250
Flash Exposure Compensation
-3 to +1 EV, 1/3 or 1/2 EV steps
 -3 to +1 EV, 1/3 or 1/2 EV steps n/a
Slow-sync flash
1st or 2nd curtain
 1st or 2nd curtain n/a
PC Sync Terminal
Yes
 Yes Yes
Playback
System
LCD Size / Pixel Count
3.0 in LCD / 920,000 pixels
 3.0 in LCD / 920,000 pixels 3.0 in LCD / 920,000 pixels
Enlarged Playback / Scroll
1.1 - 27x for large images, 20x for medium images, or 13x for small ones / Yes
1.1 - 27x for large images, 20x for medium images, or 13x for small ones / Yes
1.1 - 27x for large images, 20x for medium images, or 13x for small ones / Yes
LCD Monitor Brightness Adjustment Range
7 steps
7 steps
7 steps
Automatic Rotation for Vertical Shots
Yes
 Yes Yes
Video Out
 Analog NTSC/PAL, HDMI Analog NTSC/PAL, HDMI Analog NTSC/PAL, HDMI
Other Features
Computer Connection
Yes, USB 2.0 High -Speed, PTP-compliant
 Yes, USB 2.0 High -Speed, PTP-compliant Yes, USB 2.0 High -Speed, PTP-compliant
Direct Printing (PictBridge-compliant printers)
Yes
 Yes Yes
Menu Languages
15 (Japanese, German, English, Spanish, Finnish, French, Italian, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Swedish, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Korean)
15 (Chinese [Simplified and Traditional], Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish)
15 (Chinese [Simplified and Traditional], Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish)
Camera Default Reset
Yes
 Yes Yes
Custom Functions (Quantity)
Yes (48)
 Yes (50) Yes (44)
Remote Control
Yes, 10-pin terminal
 Yes, 10-pin terminal Yes, 10-pin terminal
Info LCD Panel / Illumination
Yes / Yes
(power switch)
 Yes / Yes
(power switch)
Yes (large top panel, smaller rear panel) / Yes (both panels)
Ultrasonic dust-removal
Yes
 Yes No
Virtual Horizon digital level sensor
 No Yes Yes
In-camera Lateral C.A. Correction
Yes
Yes
 Yes
Vignette Control
 No Yes Yes
(with firmware 2.00)
Self Diagnostic Shutter Monitor
No
Yes
 Yes
Voice Memo
No
No
 Yes
Body Structure
Body Cover / Chassis
Magnesium Alloy, environmental seals
 Magnesium Alloy, environmental seals Magnesium Alloy, environmental seals
Power System
Battery
EN-EL3e,
optional MB-D10 battery pack
 EN-EL3e,
optional MB-D10 battery pack		 EN-EL4a
Rated Shooting Capacity at 20C/68F (shots)
CIPA: 1000
(50% flash)
 CIPA: 1000
(50% flash)		 CIPA: 4300
(no flash though)
Dimensions & Weight
Dimensions (WxHxD, mm)
147 x 114 x 74
 147 x 123 x 77 160 x 157 x 88
Weight (body only)
825 g
995 g 1240 g
Operational
Environment
Operating Temperature Range
0 ~ 40°C
 0 ~ 40°C 0 ~ 40°C
Operating Humidity Range
85% max.
 85% max. 85% max.
Lens Compatibility
Lens Mount / Compatibility
 1) Type G or D AF Nikkor: All functions supported
2) DX AF Nikkor: All functions supported
3) AF Nikkor other than type G or D (excluding lenses for F3AF): All functions supported except 3D Color Matrix Metering II
4) AI-P Nikkor: All functions supported except autofocus and 3D Color Matrix Metering II
5) Non-CPU AI Nikkor: Can be used in exposure modes A and M; electronic rangefinder can
be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster; Color Matrix Metering and aperture value
display supported if user provides lens data. Up to 9 non-CPU lenses can be registered.		 1) Type G or D AF Nikkor: All functions supported
2) DX AF Nikkor: All functions supported except FX-format (36x24) image size
3) AF Nikkor other than type G or D (excluding lenses for F3AF): All functions supported except 3D Color Matrix Metering II
4) AI-P Nikkor: All functions supported except autofocus and 3D Color Matrix Metering II
5) Non-CPU AI Nikkor: Can be used in exposure modes A and M; electronic rangefinder can
be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster; Color Matrix Metering and aperture value
display supported if user provides lens data. Up to 9 non-CPU lenses can be registered.		 1) Type G or D AF Nikkor: All functions supported
2) DX AF Nikkor: All functions supported except FX-format (36x24)/5:4 (30x24) image size
3) AF Nikkor other than type G or D (excluding lenses for F3AF): All functions supported except 3D Color Matrix Metering II
4) AI-P Nikkor: All functions supported except autofocus and 3D Color Matrix Metering II
5) Non-CPU AI Nikkor: Can be used in exposure modes A and M; electronic rangefinder can
be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster; Color Matrix Metering and aperture value
display supported if user provides lens data. Up to 9 non-CPU lenses can be registered.
Auto switch to DX-format crop when DX lens mounted
 n/a Yes Yes

 

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D700 Overview Feature Comparison Press Release
Navigate Review Jump to review page...