Nikon 36.3 Megapixels D800 Fullframe DSLR Review by CNET AU With Rating 8.8/10

The D800 supports a standard sensitivity range of ISO 100-6400, plus ISO 50 (Lo 1) and up to ISO 25600 (Hi 2). The viewfinder supports a frame coverage of approximately 100% and magnification of approximately 0.7x. Other features include s 51-point AF system for improved subject acquisition and focus performance under dim lighting, a 3.2-inch 921k-dot LCD monitor with reinforced glass, a new shutter unit with 200,000 cycles, a maximum shutter speed of 1/8000 s and flash sync speed of 1/250 s, continuous shooting at 4 (FX-format/5 : 4 image area) or 5 (DX-format/1.2x image area) fps, CompactFlash and SD dual memory card slots, and SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.0).

In addition to the D800, there is also a supplementary D800E model with enhanced resolution characteristics of the 36.3 Megapixels CMOS sensor by cancelling the anti-aliasing properties of the OLPF inside the camera. Light is delivered directly to the photodiodes, yielding an image resulting from the raw light gathering properties of the camera. A color moire correction tool will also be available within Capture NX2 to enhance the D800E photographer's workflow. The Nikon D800 is available for $2999.95, while the D800E version is available for $3,299.95. Here's the summary of review by CNET AU, giving the camera a rating of 8.8 out of 10:

"While some may initially think the resolution of the D800's sensor is too high for lenses to be able to adequately resolve detail, the image quality delivered by this camera is stunning. Shooting both JPEG and RAW images is incredibly impressive; the camera processes its JPEGs in a very smooth, faithful manner, with good gradation of colour. Metering is very accurate and there's little evidence of blown highlights with a correct exposure. Shooting at high ISO levels also makes for a pleasurable experience. As you can see from the image below, which was taken at ISO 5000, straight from the camera, there's still plenty of detail and the noise profile is pleasing. There's definitely noise present, but it looks fine on the image, especially when resized for web. Pixel-peepers, and anyone inspecting images at 100 per cent magnification, will definitely notice the difference when shooting with less-than-perfect lenses. However, given the resolution, you can get away with a lot on the D800. A small resize here and a minor sharpen there, can produce incredible results on JPEG images. Speaking of lenses, unfortunately, we weren't supplied with any image stabilised glass to accompany the D800 during our review -- we had the 85mm f/1.4 and 24-70mm f/2.8. This meant that for several applications, most notably video testing, we were restricted to studio settings with a tripod, rather than being able to present a number of real-world, handheld examples. 

Video quality is very impressive and presents the real leaps and bounds that have been made since the D700 was released. There's very little evidence of rolling shutter, the video image is smooth and artefact-free at low ISO levels, plus, the added level of audio control is welcomed. Our only complaint is that the controls for adjusting certain video functions are buried right at the end of the shooting menu. There's also no provision for changing the audio level during recording; it must be set correctly before filming. An excellent addition to the Nikon SLR line, the D800 does not disappoint on any front. If you don't need the machine-gun speeds or hefty size of the D4, this camera provides a very satisfying photographic experience. Of course, the question that many want answered is which camera to buy: the D800 or the Canon 5D Mark III. Naturally, anyone who has already invested a serious amount in lenses and accessories for one system would find it difficult to switch, purely on a financial level. The D800 offers resolution and image quality completely suited to studio and professional work. The 5D Mark III performs slightly better in low-light/high ISO video, with more options for compression and timecoding. The ergonomics have been tweaked in both cameras, compared to their predecessors, which may affect usability for some photographers. For us, the D800 feels better in the hand and presents the best value for money, when comparing local pricing."