Digital Home Thoughts - News & Reviews for the Digital Home

"Hi all, just came back from shopping with germany's new issue of "ProfiFoto". They have a two-side presentation of D700 and SB900 (delayed the issue for five days to be first with the data). Here are the facts: D700: D3-Sensor, AF-Module but no phone/speaker, only 95% viewer, 200-6400ISO, 5FPS (8 with MB-D10), pop-up-flash (power 11), dust-removal on sensor, EN-EL3e, 1076g, fsync 1/250, 1/8000-30s, one CF-Slot, grid in viewer optional, virtual horizon, little less fast to D3. Compatible to WT-4. SB900: 17-200mm (14mm) on FX. Reacts on DX/FX-effective focal length. Three illumination modes: standard, even, midconcentrated. Firmwareupdate via camera-CF. Overheat-deactivation. Reads and communicates gels to camera for WB. Handling by central turning wheel. prices: D700 @ 2.599EUR, SB900 @ 500EUR."


The proof is mounting that the Nikon D700 is coming to market, slotted right between the D300 and the D3. The D300 has been described as a "baby D3", but with the D700 coming out, the D300 just got downgraded to "cousin". The D700 has the same sensor as the D3, what looks to be the same body (that's not a battery grip on the bottom, is it?), and several other identical features. It's not quite as fast in frames-per-second, and lacks the stratospheric 25,600 ISO, but is going going to be about $1500 USD less expensive. Anyone got their eye on this beauty?

UPDATE: dpreview has the full scoop with a hands-on preview.

"After the disappointing fake Nikon D90 comes a much more plausible looking Nikon D700 rumor. These shots are supposedly from a leaked print brochure for the new body, and show the D700 to be a full frame, 12.1 megapixel, $3000 camera. This is the same CMOS sensor as used in the top-of-the-line D3, which should bring the amazing low light performance (up to ISO 25600) the new Nikons are getting famous for. Inside you'll find 14bit A/D conversion and 16 bit image processing courtesy of Nikon's EXPEED processor, 51 focus points, a single Compact Flash slot (come on Nikon. Switch to SD already), and a tough magnesium body."



Given the very significant pricing gap between the D300 ($1800, body only) and the D3 ($5000, body only), it's not surprising to see rumours about a "middle-ground" camera that has a full-frame sensor, but lacks some of the high-end features of the D3. I'd put this one in the "probable" category of rumours.