Phil: Welcome to this Photo Answers video verdict on Nikon’s D700, it’s got to be the most eagerly anticipated DSLR this year.
Bob: So tell us more about the camera, Phil.
Phil: Okay, well it uses the same four frame sensor as the D3, and that means a brilliant high outside noise performance.
Bob: And significantly it’s the first affordable four frame camera from Nikon.
Phil: Well, is it that affordable?
Bob: Yeah, okay. It’s affordable compared to the Nikon D3, that’s 3,000 pounds.
Phil: Okay. And when you pick it up, it got a really nice solid form. You agree?
Bob: Well it should have, it was based on Nikon’s F6, which was their last film camera.
Phil: And this also got the same level of weather sealing to, hasn’t it?
Bob: Yeah, I mean digitally speaking, it looks a little bit like the D300.
Phil: Yeah, so it’s a cross between the two.
Bob: Yeah, but what it doesn’t have that the D300 does have, is a decent memory card slot cover.
Phil: Yeah, that’s big advantage for me.
Bob: Yeah, it’s just a little bit flimsy.
Phil: Yeah, and it hadn’t got that release button you got on other cameras in the Nikon range.
Bob: Exactly, you know, I’d expect something a little bit more on a camera of this price.
Phil: Yeah. I’ve got another mind and take a look as well, the viewfinder is brilliant and bright, but it only got 95 percent coverage. The D3 and D300 both got a hundred percent, so, why is that?
Bob: Well what Nikon had done with the D700 is that they’ve added an in camera cleaning unit which has reduced the viewfinder image slightly. But if you’ll admit, I much rather have 100 percent and just send the camera away if you need to get it clean, you know.
Phil: Yeah, me too.
Bob: A hundred percent viewfinder is very important.
Phil: Yeah, I definitely agree with you there, Bob.
Bob: So a few minor needles aside then, what is the most special thing about this camera?
Phil: Well, it’s still got speed. That sensor is brilliant. It allows you to get a shot that you normally wouldn’t be able to get.
Bob: Particularly in low light, of course.
Phil: Oh yeah. It’s amazing in low light.
Bob: So photographers, like wedding photographers, photojournalists.
Phil: Gig photographers, sports photographers, the list is endless if you shoot in low light.
Bob: But what about if you don’t shoot in low light?
Phil: Well, the D300 gives a very good case for itself.
Bob: It’s about half the price of this camera, yeah.
Phil: Yeah, it’s interesting. I think the D300 is gonna be the D700’s closest competitor.
Bob: Woh woh, what about the Cannon DS5D.
Phil: Yes, it’s getting very long in the tooth there, it’s three years old.
Bob: Still gives a decent results though.
Phil: Yeah, true, but it’s a bit sluggish and I’d like to see a replacement.
Bob: Yeah, okay, I take the point, not any problem.
Phil: Okay, so, I think the D700, safe to say is the best affordable four frame DSLR out there.
Bob: You say affordable.
Phil: Okay, 2,000 pounds is a lot money, but I still want one.
Bob: Yeah, I do too. It’s probably at the top of my buying list, yeah.
Phil: Yeah, so, what kind of rating do you think we should give it?
Bob: Well, I have to knock it down slightly on value for money. It’s a little bit too close in price to the D3.
Phil: Yeah, and it’s almost double the price of the D300 at the moment.
Bob: But, over the last 2 weeks or so, we’ve seen the price drop 200 pounds in the shop.
Phil: Yeah, and it’s a phenomenal camera. Don’t get us wrong, it’s brilliant to use.
Bob: So if we imagine the price is gonna come down a little bit more in the future…
Phil: I think…
Bob: Five stars?
Phil: Yeah, I think it’s easy to justify those five stars.
Bob: Definitely.
Phil: So, that’s our Photo Answers video verdict. D700 gets five stars.