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D4 v D800


Peter H

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I've had Nikon SLR and/or DSLRs since the F3 days, and I'm sure the D4 and D800 will be their best ever digital cameras, possibly their best ever cameras full-stop, though that's impossible to determine.

 

They have different characteristics, for different jobs, but no doubt both will be immensely capable DSLRs.

 

The 16mp D4 is their flag-ship camera though, at twice the price of the 36mp D800, (which is described as a professional camera, so presumably the price difference has little to do with build quality, which if the D700 is anything to go by, is very good indeed).

 

So why is the D4 twice the price of the D800?

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Nikon have traditionally split their pro camera offerings by both body size and capability, e.g. full-size (D3s/D3x) and compact (D700) plus hi-speed (D3s/D700) and hi-res (D3x). What was missing (and oft requested) in their range was a hi-res/compact body offering.

 

The D3s has recently been replaced by the D4 of course and now along comes the D800, so the range is nicely filled out (the press releases say that the D700 will continue to be sold) in both body sizes e.g. D4/D700 (hi-speed) and D3x/D800 (hi-res).

 

Nikon might have changed tack and decided not to offer both capabilities in both body sizes, but I wouldn't be surprised to see a D4x sooner rather than later.

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Steve, I understood the D1/D1x, D2/ D2H/X, D3, D3X&S progression. But this feels like a conscious move away from that approach.

 

I would trust them to get it right, they have a good recent record in this area, but I don't think it's simply a continuation of their previous strategy and I don't yet quite understand it.

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You may well be right Peter.

 

It was always the compact body option that seemed out of step, with many of the Nikon faithful (and the pundits) expecting a D700x soon after the D700. That didn't happen as expected of course and now we have the D800 to partner the D4 (no more 's' or 'x' for the time being) so, who knows.

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It would be very interesting to see comparative shots taken by the D800 and the S2. Albeit that the Leica has wider spaced pixels the pixel count is similar for both cameras. I assume that the Nikon has an AA filter, which might make its pictures a bit softer than the S2. Only comparative pictures would tell the whole story.

 

Wilson

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In the absence of anything from Leica, it is only natural that we should talk about the latest and greatest from other manufacturers of photographic equipment, I dont think anyone wants this forum to be populated only by people with their heads in the sand.

We could start a new thread, the Leica S2 and Nikon D800 compared.

 

Jeff

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My D4's have been on order since release in January and are scheduled to be delivered next week. The D800(E) is probably the one that many have been waiting for and I know several people that have placed orders today.

 

Were it a D4x, I'd have joined the queue today without question. As good as the D700 has proven to be, the handling and build quality compared to my D3s's is like chalk and cheese.

 

I'm happy to pay the price for the extra bulk and build quality of the D4 (and D3s, D3, D2x, D1 before it) because my living depends on it.

 

The D800 looks like being an amazing leap ahead of the game by Nikon.

 

I want the same, but packaged as a D4x.

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I am amazed at the incremental cost of the D800 over the D700. £650 more compared to the current D700 price at Jessops. What are they thinking?

 

I assume they're thinking the D7000 is a pretty good replacement for the D700 and that this is an opportunity to get a product further up the price ladder, but still below the top pro levels.

 

The specs would seem to support it: I'll bet it will be a big seller for quite a while.

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No, I will NOT be trading my M9 on it but I have my order in on the D800. The D4 is just too big for me even if it had the same 36mp sensor. I use Nikon mostly for long lens work and was really hoping for a large megapixel DX camera (D400) but that D800 is so incredible and will give good crop ability for telephoto lenses and still have FX view. I do have one Leitax converted lens and hope to eventually get a few more. I have not yet decided on the E-type, the M9 is fantastic without the AA filter but I shoot much differently with the Nikon. I think I will probably take whatever one comes in first.

Pete

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We talk about all sorts of weird and wonderful things in the Bar. Is talking about a camera, albeit not a Leica, so very inappropriate?

 

Fair enough then. What I wonder about is why pro DSLRs have to be so big and heavy? The D800 certainly looks a lot smaller than the D4, and I am certain will appeal to many pros -- just as the Canon 5D wins out over the 1D for many. I have seen as many -- maybe more -- pro photos supplied for publication taken with the 5D over the 1D. Fewer Nikons though to date, so the D800 could be a very significant camera indeed!

 

Many people seem to be writing off DSLRs as mirrorless cameras take off. Maybe not so fast! DSLRs still appear to have significant advantages, such as faster focusing -- for now, anyway.

 

And yes, interesting how it compares with Leica's S2, at a fraction of the price. Surely Leica missed a big opportunity in not bringing out an R10. Would such a camera still have a future?

Edited by NZDavid
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