Nikon D810
Update to a beloved SLR
The Nikon D810 has a lot to live up to. It replaces two SLRs popular among enthusiast and pro photographers in recent times: the D800 and the D800E. These two cameras are identical apart from the fact that the D800E has a weaker anti-aliasing (AA) or optical low-pass filter over its sensor. They are especially popular with landscape photography lovers, who want something a bit lighter (and more affordable) than a medium-format camera.
Features
Given the 36.3-million effective pixel count of the D800, it’s no surprise that the D810 has the same number of photosites on its sensor; but we are told that it uses a newly designed chip and Nikon’s latest Expeed 4 processing engine. Unlike the D800E, the D810 has a filter with no AA properties at all. This should help it record more sharp detail.
Other changes from the D800 include a higher-resolution rear display, the ability to record small raw images (useful for animators) and the D4S’s AF system with Group-area AF mode. The move to the Expeed 4 processing engine also takes the maximum continuous shooting rate at full resolution up from 4 to to 5fps. Alternatively, the D810 can shoot at 7fps in DX format and record 15.3MP images. Helpfully, the buffer capacity has also increased: the D810 can record 47 lossless compressed 12-bit raw files in a single burst rather than 21, or 23 uncompressed 14-bit raw files instead of 16. You can set sensitivity in the native range ISO 64-12,800, and there are expansion settings of ISO 32-51,200, giving greater scope for shooting at wide apertures or in bright conditions as well as better low-light capability.
The D810’s video capability improves on the D800, with the ability to shoot at 50p and 60p, and a Zebra display mode that shows areas close to burning out. There’s also a new Flat Picture Control mode, which reduces sharpening and contrast to maximise dynamic range for better post-capture grading. In another change to Picture Controls, it’s now possible to adjust image clarity or micro-contrast to give an impression of greater (or reduced) sharpness without over-emphasising edges.
Furthermore, Nikon has given the D810 a new shutter and mirror box mechanism that it claims reduces vibration, giving a steadier viewfinder image with less blackout for better