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May I say why it was not be there earlier? Is that because of technologies barrier or Nikon did not response promptly to the market? And may I say that is the camera I have been waiting for long? That is built with a balanced set of state-of-the-art technologies and convenience design in mind, a merge of D300 body and D3 features, that really looks perfect to me.
I have been busy shooting with my Canon system (Get the Most from Your Camera & Lens Collection) in the past year and my Nikkor lenses collection (Nikon Nikkor Lens Mini-Review) were kept in an electronic dry box with humidity control for a while, now I would expect that is going to change because of the D700, my Nikkor will work in their full wide capabilities (though I already have a DX lens Fisheye-Nikkor 10.5mm f/2.8G ED) that is important to me as I do most in wide and ultra wide shots.
In additional to my existing Nikkor primes, I will be interested in adding a general-purpose zoom lens with the D700 into my Nikon collections, this is a native move to preserve my previous investment. The D700 calibration features for separate lens settings and high-iso capabilities means additional convenience and productivities.
I would hope the D700 comes with 16M pixels size, but I realized that Nikon would probably want to keep that cost down with an optimized 12M quality output instead of chasing up the pixel count war.
Oops ... I still don't like the D700 body with rubber covers for terminals at the right side, that is simply not in a fashionable design. The classic covers on my D1x may easy to miss, but that makes the Nikon appears more smart and professional.
Wait ... what about my Canon system? Don't get me wrong, I am not royal user to any system, I like and enjoy both systems. And what about my Canon 5D (Canon EOS 5D - Dark Angel in Digital Photography) and 40D (Canon EOS 40D for Serious & Everyday Work) and maybe Canon is about to release its replacement 5D Mark II or whatever new model? Who knows?! My 5D works perfectly well, however, it is not very likely I would upgrade for a 5D Mark II, I would prefer the D700 FX, you know why already .....
D3 vs D700
I wonder why people would ask "Should I get a D3 or D700, please help...", this is simple to me, I skipped D3 and go for a 5D .... believe me, Nikon is not in fool, the D700 is a class of its own, and you can have many reasons want a D700 instead of D3. If you asked that question, that only means not only you didn't understand what the difference between these two cameras, but also didn't realize what you really want ... huh?
D700 vs D300
Obviously, they are at a very clear different position. Some people originally acquired the D3 eventually switched to D300 because of the crop factor, they work mostly at the tele end, in this case the FF D3 is a much expensive camera not best fit their requirement.
Similarly, it is not very likely D300 users would switch to D700. In fact, D300 is a value camera at attractive price level, D700 at US$3000 still looks pricy.
D700 vs 5D
Ok, you may complain that they should not be compared because they are for different applications, or they are targeted for different users, you may be right but I think the D700 is setting closest to the segment where 5D stayed nowadays.
If I have the D700 on hands right now, how would it affect my usage rate to the 5D? My initial thought is the D700 as the main unit in serious events, the 5D as backup. That is easy because the D700's calibration features and better AF, the Nikon system also produces better output in white balance control. All these make the D700 more suitable for professional work - that means additional productivity.
While D700 would be good for professional/ dynamic work, I would expect my 5D goes to landscape work for maximum static image quality - in terms of technical sharpness & details. In fact, 5D looks dumb and is relatively less convenience ... but as a mind set of an artist and enthusiast - shoot for fun and inspiration instead of money, I would sometimes prefer to shoot 5D with a manual focus lens instead of a AF-Machine-Gun camera... :P
How about 5D Mark II?
I am not surprised if Canon release a 5D successor/ new camera responses to the D700, but what would be the focus of interest? The next successful camera from canon must be outstanding enough and can sit at a class of its own, so what about these?
1. Price - Attractive enough?
2. Pixels Count - 16MP?
3. Features - Surprise & break-through?
Nikon D700 Key Features (* Different to D3)
- 12.1 megapixel full-frame sensor (8.45µm pixel pitch)
- ISO 200 - 6400 (with boost up to ISO 25600 and down to ISO 100)
- Also supports DX lenses, viewfinder automatically masks (5.1 megapixels with DX lens)
- 14-bit A/D conversion, 12 channel readout
- Same ultra-fast startup and shutter lag as D3
- Nikon EXPEED image processor (Capture NX processing and NR algorithms, lower power)
- Multi-CAM3500FX Auto Focus sensor (51-point, 15 cross-type, more vertical coverage)
- Auto-focus tracking by color (using information from 1005-pixel AE sensor)
- Auto-focus calibration (fine-tuning), fixed body or up to 20 separate lens settings
- Scene Recognition System (uses AE sensor, AF sensor)
- Picture Control image parameter presets
- 3.0" 922,000 pixel LCD monitor
- Live View with either phase detect (mirror up/down) or contrast detect Auto Focus
- Virtual horizon indicates if camera is level (like an aircraft cockpit display)
- HDMI HD video output
- 'Active D-Lighting' (adjusts metering as well as applying D-Lighting curve)
- Detailed 'Control Panel' type display on LCD monitor, changes color in darkness
- Magnesium alloy body with connections and buttons sealed against moisture
- 95% coverage, 0.72x magnification viewfinder *
- Improved Info display on main screen *
- Image Sensor Cleaning (vibration) *
- 5 frames per second continuous with auto-focus tracking*
- New Kevlar / carbon fibre composite shutter with 150,000 exposure durability *
- UDMA compatible single CF card slot *
- Optional MB-D10 Battery Pack (same as D300), increases burst rate to 8 fps *
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