Nikon D700

A while back I wrote about my wish list for features of the upcoming Canon 5D Mark II. Well, I recently discovered a camera that is out now that meets almost all of my wishes. It is the Nikon D700. At around $3000 for this camera body, it is about $2000 less than the pro model D3. You get basically the same camera as the D3 in a smaller, lighter form factor. The D700 offers a 12 megapixel full frame sensor, and includes a built-in flash.

I analyzed the stats of the D700 and the D3 side-by-side, and found that the only drawback to the D700 is a slower continuous shooting rate (5 FPS instead of 9 FPS). The D3 is renowned for its excellent performance in low light conditions at high ISO settings, and I would expect similar performance from the D700.

Both the D3 and D700 offer Live View shooting modes, and a new Virtual Horizon feature that I love. The virtual horizon lets you know when you are holding the camera perfectly level via read-outs in the viewfinder, on the top LCD, and on the rear LCD. I know I have been trashing a lot of landscape shots lately due to a crooked horizon.

I have heard some stories that several long-time Canon professionals have been tinkering with the D3 and D700 and were thoroughly impressed with these cameras, especially when paired with the right glass. Renowned photographer Scott Bourne, a long-time Canon shooter, recently sold all of his Canon gear and got a D3 and D700. Looks like Canon has their work cut out for them to stay competitive.