Camera review
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NikonD810 If you strive for the ultimate in resolution, the D810 could be your dream camera if it delivers all that’s promised. We take a close look at Nikon’s latest 36.3-megapixel sensation ON TEST
handgrip (more depth and contouring). In the hand the difference is minimal, but those with longer fingers will notice less pressure as their digits wrap around and press against the body. It’s a subtle but effective evolution, matched by a fractionally prouder thumb rest on the rear, although to appreciate the difference it helps to have the D810 and D800 side by side. Other outward changes include the removal of the metering pattern mode dial that used to sit around the AE-L/AF-L button. Metering functions have been moved to the cluster at the top left, bringing it in line with the D4/ s . This comes at the expense of the BKT button, which is now
SPECS
on the camera’s front left above the flash mode/ compensation button. Moving the meter pattern button doesn’t feel like a problem, though some long-time users might miss the three-notched dial, which has lived in roughly the same place on Nikon’s upper level of enthusiast DSLRs for ages. One benefit, though, is that changing metering pattern unintentionally is now not possible. ABOVE A few external changes differentiate the D810 from the D800/E, like the slight tilt top left, button layout and chunkier handgrip. BELOW Vivid, rich colours are no surprise.
Words by Will Cheung
PRICE £2699 body only CONTACT www.nikon.co.uk SENSOR 36.3 effective pixels, FX format, 35.9x24mm IMAGE DIMENSIONS 7360x4912 pixels ISORANGE 64-12,800, expansion to ISO 32 and 51,200 AUTOFOCUS 51 focus points including 15 cross-type, detection range -2 to +19EV. Single point, dynamic area, 3D tracking, auto area AF, group area EXPOSURE COMPENSATION +/-5EV in 0.3, 0.5, 1EV steps SHUTTER 30secs-1/8000sec, Bulb, flash sync 1/250sec
The Nikon D800 and D800E changed the game when they were launched two years ago: two 35mm full-frame DSLRs that boasted a megapixel resolution hitherto only seen on medium-format cameras. For the quality conscious, they had a massive appeal although Nikon muddied the waters by offering two basically identical cameras. The D800 has an optical low-pass or anti-alias filter to minimise any chance of moiré, while the D800E has the same sensor but there’s an anti-alias filter cancelling function to maximise image quality at the small risk of moiré. The D800E was £300 more expensive so most photographers went for the D800 perceiving the benefit to be marginal. The D810 is perhaps what the D800E should have been. Its completely new sensor offers the same 36.3-megapixel resolution but it comes in only one version – without any anti-alias filter for maximum image resolution. External makeover The D810 is fractionally lighter than the D800/E, but not so much as you’d notice. It still feels like a sturdy piece of kit in the hand and the extensive weather sealing provides a decent level of protection against dust and rain showers. As before, the only area where it feels less robust is around the pop-up flash. The ergonomics are largely similar, too, with the main changes being a slightly redesigned
METERING PATTERNS
Matrix, centre- weighted, spot SHOOTING SPEED
5fps full-frame LCD SCREEN
3.2in TFT monitor STORAGEMEDIA Dual slot: SD and CompactFlash DIMENSIONS (WXHXD) 146x123x81.5mm WEIGHT 980g body only
TheD810 is perhapswhat the D800E shouldhave been, and it comes in only one version
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Issue 11 | Photography News
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