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Nikon D700

1. Built-In Flash. The D700 adds a few features of its own, like an integrated iTTL pop-up flash with a Guide Number of 39 and built-in wireless flash control for off-camera setups. An internal flash is an unusual feature for a pro-level camera.
2. MB-D10 Battery Grip. An optional accessory worth its weight in gold, this will extend your shooting time, and boost your capture rate to an impressive 8 frames per second.
3. Hi-Res LCD: The 3.0-inch LCD screen features 920K-pixel resolution with a wide 170-degree angle of view.

Nikon D700

ESTIMATED STREET PRICE: List Price: $2,999 (body only)

Positioned directly in between the D300 and the D3 both in price and in functionality, the Nikon D700 brings full-frame to an affordable level for prosumers and advanced amateurs. The 12.1-megapixel, FX-format camera takes the best of the D3 and packages it into a compact D-SLR, with the same CMOS sensor and EXPEED processing. The D700 also offers 14-bit A/D conversion, the same as the D3 (although 16-bit A/D conversion has been introduced in the D3x).

The D700 lacks in comparison to the D3 in that it “only” offers a still very fast 5 fps maximum burst rate (the same can be said for the D3x) in both FX and DX formats. There’s also only one CF memory card slot, and the viewfinder coverage is noticeably smaller than that of the D3/D3x (100%) at 95%. The shutter life span is a more than adequate 150,000 cycles, though it’s only half the 300,000 rating of the D3/D3x.

The body of the D700 is very similar in design to the D300, with a magnesium-alloy construction and rubber gaskets for weather resistance. At 2.2 pounds, the camera is a little heavier than the D300 (1.8 pounds), but it’s also much lighter than the D3x (2.7 pounds). An optional MB-D10 battery grip can be added to the D700’s body for a boost in power—and also a boost to very fast 8 fps shooting, which adds to the overall weight of the system, of course.

HIGHLY SENSITIVE: The ISO 200-6400 range in the D700 is expandable from ISO 100 (in Lo-1) to Hi-1 at ISO 12,800 and Hi-2 at ISO 25,600 for impressive flexibility in low- light shooting. DUST OFF: The sensor uses Dynamic Integrated Dust Reduction with quad-frequency, ultrasonic vibration for minimizing dust on the sensor. In-camera software also can compensate for any particles or debris found on the sensor. METERING MODE: Nikon’s 3D Color Matrix Metering calculates ideal exposure with compatible lenses. The D700 also sports Center-weighted and Spot metering. DYNAMIC RANGE: Active D-Lighting features an Auto mode, first introduced in the D700 and now also available in the D3x, for automatically capturing detail in both shadow and highlights in high-contrast scenes. There’s a variety of manual settings.

The D700 has the same 51-point autofocus as the D3, D3x and D300. The system offers 3D tracking with 15 cross-point sensors in the center. Two AF point modes allow you to select autofocus to run in either the entire 51-point autofocus system or as an 11-point setup to emulate the AF pattern of previous 11-point AF systems, such as the one used in the D2xs. Autofocus in the D700 also works with both the Handheld and Tripod Live View modes, though the Live View will turn off momentarily during Handheld mode.

Like the D3/D3x, DX-mode shooting is included when full-frame capture isn’t necessary. Unlike the D3/D3x, however, shooting in this APS-C mode in the D700 doesn’t procure a gain in fps. The savings, instead, are only in file size. Shooting in FX format, the camera takes 12.1-megapixel images (4256x2832 pixels), while shooting in DX mode, the camera takes 5.1-megapixel images (2784x1848 pixels). The D700 automatically selects DX mode when used with DX lenses, resulting in a 1.5x magnification, thanks to the cropped image circle.

STANDOUT FEATURE: The D700 is a much more compact body than the D3/D3x, yet it offers many of the same features and image quality.
VERDICT: If you’re interested in a full-frame camera, but you’re turned off by flagship prices, then the D700 is a great investment, balancing price and performance.