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Nikon D800 · Nikon USA product photograph with attached lens; lens excluded from body specifications

Nikon D800
Photo 1 of 14

Nikon D800 · Nikon USA product photograph with attached lens; lens excluded from body specifications

Nikon · Nikon DSLR

D800

Released March 2012

A 36.3-megapixel full-frame DSLR with 51-point autofocus, CF and SD slots, and 1080p video.

Type
DSLR
Sensor
Full frame
Megapixels
36.3
Lens
Nikon F mount
Video
1920 × 1080 at 30 fps
Body weight
900 g

What reviewers say

Both praise fine detail, broad dynamic range and capable viewfinder autofocus, while warning that changed controls complicate switching from older Nikon bodies. Photography Blog finds high-ISO files respond well to noise reduction and considers 4 fps respectable for its resolution. Photo Review stresses careful technique, strong lenses and extra storage; it finds slower live-view focusing and less convincing high-ISO output.

From photographyblog.com and photoreview.com.au

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Image and sensor

Camera type
DSLR
Sensor format
Full frame
Sensor type
CMOS
Sensor dimensions
35.9 × 24 mm
Effective resolution
36.3 MP
Largest image
7360 × 4912
RAW recording
Yes
Standard ISO range
100–6400
Sensor detail
FX CMOS with 36.3 million effective pixels and 36.77 million total in Japan, rounded to 36.8 million USA; optical low-pass filtering, Image Sensor Cleaning and Image Dust Off reference data. FX 7360 × 4912; 1.2× crop 6144 × 4080; DX 4800 × 3200; 5:4 crop 6144 × 4912
Image formats
12-bit or 14-bit NEF RAW, uncompressed, lossless-compressed or compressed; TIFF RGB, JPEG Fine/Normal/Basic with size-priority or optimal-quality compression, simultaneous RAW/JPEG; adjustable/custom Picture Controls and in-camera RAW processing
ISO detail
Standard ISO 100–6400 in one-third, half or whole stops; Lo expansion down to ISO 50 equivalent and Hi expansion up to ISO 25600 equivalent; automatic sensitivity control
Image processor
EXPEED 3

Lens and shooting

Lens mount
Nikon F mount
Stabilisation
Optical lens stabilisation
Maximum continuous burst
4 fps
Lens detail
F mount with body AF coupling and contacts; G/D, other AF and AI-P lenses with restrictions; non-CPU AI lenses usable in A/M with registered lens data, DX lenses use DX crop. Non-AI, IX and F3AF lenses excluded
Autofocus
Advanced Multi-CAM3500FX phase detection with 51 points, 15 cross-type and 11 f/8-compatible points; -2 to +19 EV at ISO 100, 20°C; AF-S/AF-C, fine-tuning, single-point, dynamic nine/21/51, 3D tracking and auto-area. Live view uses contrast AF-S/AF-F and face/wide/normal/tracking areas; current USA AF-A listing conflicts with Japan's AF-S/AF-C modes
Shutter
Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter, 1/8000 to 30 seconds and Bulb; tested to 200000 cycles. X-sync 1/250 second, up to 1/320 with reduced flash range
Burst detail
Approximately 4 fps full FX or 5:4; 5 fps DX or 1.2× crop on EN-EL15. DX reaches 6 fps with optional MB-D12 using EN-EL18 or AA batteries, or an AC adapter; 1.2× remains 5 fps. Quiet single-frame, mirror-up and configurable self-timer modes
Stabilisation detail
VR depends on attached lens; no sensor-shift stabilisation
Flash
Built-in i-TTL pop-up flash, guide number approximately 12 m at ISO 100, 20°C; commander for two remote groups, hot shoe, PC sync terminal and compatible Auto FP Speedlights
Exposure controls
P/S/A/M; 91000-pixel RGB matrix, centre-weighted and spot metering; ±5 EV compensation, exposure/flash and white-balance bracketing; two-exposure HDR, interval timer and dual-axis virtual horizon. Japan centre-weighted default is 12 mm and spot range 2–20 EV; USA lists 8 mm and 0–20 EV

Video

Highest video resolution
1920 × 1080 at 30 fps
Video detail
FX- or DX-based 1920 × 1080 at 30p/25p/24p; 1280 × 720 at 60p/50p/30p/25p; MOV H.264/MPEG-4 AVC and linear PCM audio. High quality up to 20 minutes, normal up to 29 min 59 s; time-lapse movies and uncompressed HDMI output. Photography Blog's 1920 × 1280 movie caption conflicts with Nikon's 1920 × 1080 specification; Photo Review's introductory VGA mode conflicts with its own later text and the maker
Audio
Built-in mono microphone; 3.5 mm external stereo input and headphone output; adjustable microphone sensitivity

Screen and viewfinder

Viewfinder
Optical
Screen size
3.2″
Screen dots
921,000
Touchscreen
No
Tilting screen
No
Display detail
Fixed 3.2-inch TFT, approximately 921000 dots USA/global or 920000 Japan; 170° viewing angle, approximately 100% coverage and automatic brightness adjustment; top status LCD, BM-12 protective cover and live view
Viewfinder detail
Pentaprism, approximately 100% FX coverage, 97% DX/1.2× and 100% vertical/97% horizontal 5:4 in Japan; USA gives 97% both axes for 5:4. Approximately 0.7× magnification with 50mm f/1.4 at infinity, 17 mm eyepoint, grid display and depth-of-field preview

Connections and design

Battery life (maker's claim)
900 photographs
Body weight
900 g
Release detail
March 2012 release month; Nikon Japan records actual first sale on 22 March, while the global announcement is dated 7 February. The regional day does not establish earliest worldwide sale; D800E is a separate model
Recording media
One Type I CompactFlash slot with UDMA and one SD/SDHC/SDXC slot with UHS-I; overflow, backup, RAW/JPEG split and copying between cards
Ports
USB 3.0 Micro-B, mini HDMI Type C, 3.5 mm microphone and headphone sockets, PC sync and 10-pin remote/GPS terminal; optional UT-1 provides wired LAN
Wireless connections
No built-in Wi-Fi or GPS; optional WT-4 networking or WT-5 with UT-1, GP-1 GPS and WR-R10 with WR-A10 adapter or WR-1 remote. Current Japan lists later accessory support
Battery life detail
EN-EL15, approximately 900 CIPA shots; optional MB-D12 takes EN-EL15, EN-EL18 with BL-5 cover or eight AA cells. Japan gives 1400 shots for grip EN-EL18 or 1000 with alkaline AA, without simultaneously counting the body's battery
Charging
External MH-25 charger; optional EH-5b AC adapter with EP-5B connector
Dimensions
Approximately 146 × 123 × 81.5 mm Japan; current USA gives 144.78 × 121.92 × 81.28 mm
Weight detail
Approximately 900 g body only; 1000 g with battery and SD card, excluding body cap
Materials
Magnesium-alloy body with dust/water-resistant sealing
Colours
Black
In the box
EN-EL15, MH-25, DK-17 eyepiece, UC-E14 USB cable and clip, AN-DC6 strap, BM-12 monitor cover, BF-1B body cap, BS-1 shoe cover and ViewNX 2 CD-ROM (Japan D800 package)

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Full-frame sensor records 7360 × 4912 images
  • 100% pentaprism viewfinder and dual card slots
  • USB 3.0, microphone, headphone and HDMI connections

Cons

  • Full-resolution continuous shooting limited to 4 fps
  • Fixed screen without touch controls
  • Wireless networking and GPS require accessories

Closest rivals

Model
TypeSensorMegapixelsLensVideoBody weightReleased
NikonD4
DSLRFull frame16.2Nikon F mount1920 × 1080 at 30 fps1180 gMar 2012
NikonD600
DSLRFull frame24.3Nikon F mount1920 × 1080 at 30 fps760 gSept 2012
NikonD800E
DSLRFull frame36.3Nikon F mount1920 × 1080 at 30 fps900 gApr 2012

Sources

  1. nij.nikon.com/products/lineup/slr/d800d800e/spec.html
  2. nij.nikon.com/products/lineup/slr/d800d800e
  3. nikonusa.com/p/d800/25480/overview
  4. nikon.com/company/news/2012/0207_dslr_01

Photo: Nikon USA product photograph with attached lens; lens excluded from body specifications

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