Nikon D700 Review: Digital Photography Review

Nikon D700 vs Canon EOS 5D

Camera settings:

Nikon D700: Nikkor 85 mm F1.8 lens, Aperture Priority, ISO 200 (default base)
JPEG Large/Fine, Manual WB, Default Parameters (Normal), Self-Timer, Exposure delay

Canon EOS 5D: Canon EF 85 mm F1.8 lens, Aperture Priority,
ISO 100, JPEG Large/Fine, Manual WB, Default Parameters (Standard PS), Self-Timer

Nikon D700	Canon EOS 5D

3.7 MB JPEG (4256 x 2382)	3.9 MB JPEG (4368 x 2912)

Nikon D700

Canon EOS 5D

3.7 MB JPEG (4256 x 2382)

3.9 MB JPEG (4368 x 2912)

There are two obvious differences between the output of these two cameras. The 5D's default sharpening is considerably higher than the D700's and the Nikon deals better with the roll off of highlights as they approach the point where they clip. If you turn the D700's fairly conservative default sharpening a little up (either in-camera or in post processing) the differences in detail captured and overall sharpness will pretty much disappear.

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Oldest first

Bas Veerkamp

If you can shoot and don't crop its stil beauty why? because not to many big file's but stil great enough to enlarge.
The nice thing is that it stil offers you a professional body there is realy not any current nikon that can compete with that.

Dont get me wrong if you have a d4 or so d4s d5 and the d810 is to many pixels for most people ofcourse if you cant shoot get the 36 megapixel camera's you can crop a lot.

7 months ago*permalink

qutetony

The D700 is an excellent camera, old yet hot in demand. It is built like a tank. Mount a good glass on it and you are on your way to an amazing photographic experience. It is probably one of Nikon's strongest camera.

7 months agopermalink

sonnie6teen

In 2016 the D700 is still a viable option. If one wishes to pixel peep, then maybe not. Learn to work within its abilities (and it has many), and it will sing and bring smiles with its beautiful color and smooth tones. Pro body built like a tank with quick access to the things we need, just like older film bodies. Today it sells mostly for less than $1,000, average around $600-$700. Why plunk down the same $$$ for cheap plastic bodies that feel like toys, and have to chase through menus to change ISO, WB, Aperture, Shutter, etc. 12.5 MP is more than enough to work with. Print at 150 dpi (which is where high quality begins), and then smirk over poster sizes at 20x30 with GREAT results. But who prints that big for average use? In fact, who even prints anymore?? ( I do...) It's a digital world now. That said, its not about pixel peeping, it's about painting great moments with light! Action point: Find a D700 with low shutter count, add an SB800, and invest in the best glass. Go do it!

Sep 2, 2016*permalink

Photofix101

Good point

10 months ago*permalink

qutetony

You are so correct!

7 months agopermalink

Wanwan

I get one back after 3 years

7 months agopermalink

TFLO Photography

The D700 is now an old camera but I have a question that I can't find the answer to. Sent something to dpreview, but it hasn't been fixed, don't expect that it will be. So the geniuses that created this site think it's neat to give scores that are a jpeg. But years later when that image is no longer hosted guess what happens? You can't see the score. What did DPreview hand to the D700 back in 2008? Can't find anything on the web and I don't see any actual text on the review that tells the score.

Aug 26, 2016permalink

stratman1976

They didn't score a % back then, only a "highly recommended" as best score and points out of 10. You can still see a couple of 9's and 9,5's.

1 week agopermalink

David Rogoff

Question: I want to move up from a Sony A33 to a full-frame DSLR. I'm mostly interested in low/natural-light indoor and architectural photography. Given this, what would I miss out if I picked up a used D700 vs. the latest D610? I think 12MP would be fine if they're good pixels!

Thanks!

David

Oct 27, 2015permalink

Bas Veerkamp

D700 is the beter choice

May 22, 2016permalink

qutetony

D700 is better.

7 months agopermalink

Ahsan khn

hey ...i jst got a new nikon d700 and i m a newly user of this camera so tell me about a photography of this camera

Jun 30, 2015permalink

CDNPHOTO12

I Just Got A D700 For A Replacement For My D200, £854 With 3,000 Actuations. From WEX Photographic.

Aug 26, 2014permalink

driftnomore

@ zakk9:

what is it with telephoto long lenses,btw.

@chrisippus:

i guess that would be a good buy,with only under 1700 shutter count,lens and the battery grip. had it been here in my place,i'm gonna get it.

Nov 19, 2013permalink

zakk9

No problem with long telephoto lenses, and I expressed myself a bit clumsily. What I meant was that a crop sensor, like the one in the D300 (which I also have) gives more reach at the same pixel count. The D300/700 combination is very convenient, since the two cameras share more or less the same body and use the same CF cards, batteries and vertical grip.

Sep 13, 2014permalink

driftnomore

does anyone here know the shutter actuation of the d700? i'm considering buying a used one with 39,000 shutter count for 900 euros.is it a good buy for a 39k count?

Nov 17, 2013permalink

MusaOmar

I think they are rated for 150,000.. So 39k is not that bad. Just bought one with 38K for $1300

Dec 5, 2013permalink

Wanwan

Just got one for USD $1,100 with 10k actuation, very happy 😊

7 months agopermalink

AbstractTim

I saw a user one on forum (maybe istock) claiming half a million for a D700 he was still using. I've just bought one (Mar 2017) for £559 with just under 10k clicks. I haven't found any faults with it yet and the images look very punchy and colourful. Coming from a D7000, I love the D700 viewfinder - I'm NOT disappointed.

6 months ago*permalink

Truculent

Just got a D700 in awesome condition with shutter count of 6,000 for $590 USD!

4 months agopermalink

kobakokh

I asked to 4 person who owned D700 about shutter actuations and they said the cameras did about 515000-845000... Its a great result, i think...

3 months agopermalink

Jamesbond6668

I've used this camera for many photo shoots for over 2 years and still have it as my backup camera. (My main one is the D4). If you don't care about video, this is the camera for you! Much better than the D600 and probably very similar to the D800 (though the D800 has way too large image files for most shooters.). The images from the D700 with the right Nikkor lenses will keep you very happy for many years! (I only switched to the D4 for it's low light ability and faster shooting speed.)

Oct 18, 2013permalink

Chrysippus

I have been looking for a replacement camera for my D40 and in my research discovered the D700. I can now get a used one in perfect condition with less than 1700 shots taken plus grip and lens (waiting to hear which lens) for 890 Euros. Would you say this is a better option than a Fuji X-E1 or Olympus OM-D E-M5 in terms of usability and image quality? I am looking for a camera to take stock photos with.

Nov 4, 2013permalink

zakk9

The D700 is an excellent camera if you don't need video or long telephoto lenses. It's particularly ideal if you want to use wide aperture primes and play with shallow depth of field. When it comes to image quality, it's a 5 year old camera, and many of the smaller sensors approach the once unique qualities of the D700 (I use a Panasonic GH3 in addition to the D700 myself). There are no obvious choices, and it mostly boils down to the user experience. Do you prefer an OVF or an EVF? Are you ok with a camera that is twice as heavy? The rational choices nowadays are probably a mirrorless camera, but the D700 is a classic. They are all good :)

Nov 5, 2013permalink

Lyndzihardy

I have just brought a D700, please can someone help with the mind field of lenses!! do I need FX lenses?
Thanks in advance

Sep 24, 2014permalink

kobakokh

get Nikkor 28-105/3.5-4.5D and you will be happy... Very cheap and great lens, also has great bokeh and working wide apertures... fast AF speed and not noisy in work..

10 months agopermalink

AbstractTim

Like James & Zakk say: this is a premium quality bit of kit for a Nikon user who wants to go full-frame for a bargain price. You accept the 12MP sensor to avoid the expense of the D800/810 or the known quality issues of the 600/610. Remember Joe McNally was producing his best work on D3/700s pretty recently. If your lenses are all DX then sorry, you'll have to swap 'em but all your Nikon flashes (I'm talking old SB25 24, 26 20 28) will fire in the hotshoe or via cheap SC-17 cord on manual settings without frying the camera circuits. I just discovered that the D700 onbord flash in 'double-dash' commander only mode will fire my old SB-26 in manual slave mode with no added triggers. (Check out The Angry Photographer on Youtube for the wonders of using old Nikon flashes - you'll be amazed.)

If you are dithering over all sorts of weird, fringe brand cameras then your buying a D700 will have tragic results: a camera too heavy for you, & someone more deserving than you missing-out!

6 months ago*permalink

Son Of Waldo

Excellent review!

Sep 24, 2013permalink

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Just posted! Nikon D700 review Oct 7, 2008	Nikon D700 plus hands-on preview Jul 1, 2008	Reviewed: Sony NEX-5N 16MP mirrorless camera Oct 4, 2011	Sony NEX-5N Review Oct 4, 2011

Nikon D700 Review

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Studio scene comparison (JPEG)

Nikon D700 vs Canon EOS 5D

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