Digital SLR Reviews Blog

Posts Tagged ‘Image Processing System’

Nikon D700 12 1MP Digital SLR Camera Body Only

The new D700 digital SLR camera featuring a 12.1-effective megapixel Nikon FX-format sensor that measures 23.9 x 36mm, which is nearly identical to the size of 35mm film. Benefiting from Nikons legacy of imaging technology innovation, the D700 offers both advanced and professional photographers stunning image quality, accurate color reproduction and revolutionary low light performance.Building on the immense success of the Nikon D3 professional D-SLR camera, the D700 offers pro-level performance and an extensive array of features and innovations in a comfortably nimble platform. In addition to the Nikon-original FX-format CMOS sensor, the D700 incorporates Nikon’s EXPEED Image Processing System, Nikons renowned 51-point auto focus system with 3D Focus Tracking and two Live View shooting modes that allow photographers to frame a shot using the camera’s three-inch high-resolution LCD monitor. The D700 also features Nikons sophisticated Scene Recognition System and a new active dust reduction system.Nikons flagship FX and DX-format cameras, the D3 and D300 respectively, established new benchmarks for digital image quality, speed, and unmatched ISO performance. The D700 maintains this new measure with exceptional overall image quality, broad tonal range and depth, and extremely low noise throughout its native ISO range of 200 to 6400.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Better sensor performance than the D3!!!
I am an amateur photographer; I had a D300 when I first shot with the D700. I was stunned by the quality of the photos in low-light and it wasn’t long before I traded in my D300.

I will not dwell on the technical specs that are available everywhere on the web, and I will not describe how it feels in my hand nor talk about any other subjective aspect of owning this camera.

I am writing this review solely to testify about the superb quality of the photos in low-light conditions. People who read the reviews are potential buyers and I feel they MUST know how great this sensor is. It’s not enough to say that “it goes to 25,600 like the Canon 5d mark II” without comparing the photos at the same ISO. Any manufacturer can go to 25,600 and produce photos that are just pure noise!

I had heard about the D3’s high ISO capabilities and thought the D700 was almost as good (being it’s smaller brother and having the same sensor) and I was very happy to own it. However, a couple of months ago I stumbled upon an independent “new website featuring the first database of objective digital camera image quality measurements entirely accessible via the internet”. I was surprised to see that the D700’s sensor had beaten its bigger brother’s on the Signal-To-Noise ratio scale, and by doing that, IT IS THE BEST SENSOR EVER PRODUCED when it comes to ISO performance according to the website: [...] . Some people say that it’s due to the sensor size, full frame (35mm) with only 12MP which makes each pixel relatively huge, which allows it to capture more light.

I really believe this is very important information for any shopper who is considering the D700 and especially the ones who are often confronted to low-light conditions.

5 Stars D700 – truly professional grade
I recently upgraded from a Nikon D-80 to the D-700. I was not sure that going from 10 to 12 megapixels was worth it, but the D-700 is better in so many other ways that I wish I had done this sooner. The controls are VERY well designed and organized. The low-light shooting is phenomenal. The 51-point autofocus and the auto exposure systems are very accurate and flexible. The 14-bit color depth option provides exceptionally smooth colors. All in all a truly professional camera that seems perfect also for the advanced amateur.

5 Stars Perfect
This is one of Nikon’s better camera and in fact I would say that it is the best in Nikons current lineup.

Integrated sensor cleaning. The D3 doesn’t have it or the top of the line D3X. If you don’t need more megapixels than 12 or you can’t justify $8,000 for a D3x this is basically a D3 in a smaller body. Personally I’ll take the ability to clean it’s sensor over the more expensive D3 that can’t.

FX. This is great because you get bigger photo sites which allows for greater high-ISO performance since there is more signal to noise at the pixel sites.

A feature I really like is the level in the viewfinder. OK actually you can program the function better to override the exposure indicator to act as a bubble level which is great for difficult shots in the mountains or around lakes and shorelines.

The viewfinder is another nice touch. Since it’s a FX you get a big viewfinder – much bigger to look though than say a D200/D300.

The interface on the LCD is better too. You can zoom in on the pictures using the + and – button instead of holding one button and turning the command dial like a D200. This allows one handed zooming. Also the LCD itself is much improved in resolution.

5 Stars Amazing!
I decided to buy a 2nd DSLR to go with my already-awesome D300 so I wouldn’t have to keep changing lenses on the fly and to also have a full frame camera at the ready. All I can say is that Nikon definitely got this one right! Unless you want the massive amount of megapixels in the D3 or D3x, there’s no reason to spend that amount of money when you can buy this beauty and the stellar 70-200mm f/2.8 lens for about the same price as the D3 body.

It’s built solid (just like the D300 and D3x). It’s a bit bigger than the D300, but not much. Feels good in the hands. While its not as fast as the D3, it’s up there and will meet even most sports-shooting needs – especially with the 70-200mm f/2.8 lens.

While the price is certainly lower than the D3, don’t let that fool you into thinking this is a sub-pro level camera. It’s plenty good as a pro camera and I know pros who use it. So, if you’re looking to raise your photography game and graduate to pro-level full frame without breaking the bank or if you want to invest in a few great lenses and still own a full frame, this is your baby!

5 Stars hard to beat
with a full frame sensor that offers top of class, low noise hi ISO image quality, this camera is hard to beat. to do so you will spend at least twice as much for very modest improvements in IQ by going to 20+ MP sensor. do you need that? I don’t. This is a real still photographers camera. if you want video, then sure the canon eos 5d mark II will give you that with some limits, and without nearly as robust a focusing system. This camera is the camera i have been waiting for for years, and after having it in my hands for 9 months now, I havent had a single regret. awesome.

Buy/More Info

Nikon D5000 12 3MP DX Digital SLR Camera with 18 55mm f 3 5 5 6G VR and 55 200mm f 4 5 6G VR Lenses and 2 7 inch Vari angle LCD

Meet the D5000, a new breed of Nikon digital SLR camera. A wonderful blend of fun, simplicity, and beautiful image quality, the D5000 features an innovative Vari-angle monitor for an exciting new take on photographic expression. Combined with Live View shooting, this monitor gives you the ability to shoot from nearly any angle. And your creativity is not limited to still images – Nikon’s D-Movie function lets you record richly detailed HD movie clips, too. There’s also a dazzling array of shooting features to help you get great pictures, shot-after-shot. Add to this a superb 12.3-megapixel CMOS sensor working in tandem with Nikon’s EXPEED image processing system and watch your photos and movie clips come alive with all the stunning beauty for which Nikon is famous. Continuous shooting as fast as 4 frames-per-second – Combined with fast power-up and split-second shutter response, decisive moments are captured easily without annoying shooting lag Low noise ISO sensitivity from 200 to 3200 – Engineered for exceptional low-light shooting Built-in image sensor cleaning – Effective 4-frequency, ultrasonic sensor cleaning keeps images spot free 11-point autofocus system with 3D Focus Tracking – Fast and accurate autofocus delivers razor sharpness Auto Active D-Lighting – Restores lost shadow and highlight detail in high contrast exposures – Selectable and Auto modes available In-camera Retouch image editing – Creative in-camera image editing, featuring Soft Filter, Straighten, Color Outline Effect, Perspective Control, Red-eye Correction, Image Overlay, Monochrome and more – all without a computer Picture Control Settings for personal image control – Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome, Portrait, Landscape and 9 customizable settings Nikon 3D Color Matrix Metering II – Nikon’s renowned 420-pixel RGB 3D Color Matrix Metering II, teamed with the exclusive Scene Recognition System, evaluates each scene for unm

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars An Excellent Camera
I am a photographic novice when it come to SLRs, but the Nikon D5000 is really easy to use. It has made me look like a better photographer. This camera is a great value.

5 Stars Great D-SLR kit.
I’ve been researching this camera for 6 months and I was kinda disappointed when I heard about the recall. I was not going to choose another camera because it seemed that Nikon would take care of the “bad” batch. I planned to get the camera in time for a trip I was taking early September. I delayed ordering it as much as I could and then one day I went ahead and ordered the camera with the 2 lens kit from Shutterbug. I spoke with Shutterbug over the phone and they reassured me that the camera I would receive was not part of the recall. Got the camera August 14 and I love it! I am not an SLR expert (this is my first) but I think I made the right choice. Many reputable companies issue recalls on their products. Nikon handled the issue the right way and I think it’s not a reason to give bad reviews to a product based on a recall. This is a wonderful camera.

I decided to make the move to the D-SLR after using a prosumer/superzoom (Panasonic) for 5 years. I am still very happy with the superzoom but the poor ISO performance of the non-slrs was the deciding factor to get the D5000.

This camera has excellent performance at ISO 1600 and the kit lenses are pretty good considering you even get image stabilisation for the price. LiveView works pretty good if you can handle the ~ 2 sec focus delay. I recommend this camera for the amateur photographers crossing over to SLR.

For an expert review goto:

[...]

5 Stars A very nice DSLR
I’ve had this camera for 6 weeks now. Initially there was a recall on the D5000 for a failing power chip but my camera was not part of the recall. There are several nice features of this camera but none more important than it takes beautiful pictures. Shots taken at full 12.3 Megapixel fine outdoor have incredible detail. I’ve made blowup up to 12 x 18 and the clarity is stunning. The camera fits nicely in the hand. It has 11 focal points and 16 presets for specific situations (i.e. sunset, indoor party, sport mode, photograph children, etc. ) This makes it a very easy camera to use in the automatic mode but yet, it has all the manual settings for those who want to venture out into creative photography. One very special feature is the articulating 2.7 inch LCD display on the back of the camera. This display folds out allowing me to get low shots of the grand children without me bending over (I got a bad back) or allows me to lift the camera high and shoot over a crowd (like at a parade). Do not underestimate the advantage of this moving display. For me, it clinched the deal. The camera will shoot 4 frames per second for action pictures and that’s pretty fast. You can also capture pictures in RAW format for those who want to work with Photoshop in super fine detail. Another feature that is pretty neat is the outline feature. Within the camera, you can select a picture you’ve taken and it will create an outline picture with white background. I take pictures of the grandchildren and print them in outline on white paper and they can now have very personalized coloring pages of them! For an artist who like to paint, they can use the outline pictures to have a sketched “canvas” that they can paint with everything being in perfect proportion. For educators of small children, imagine the possibility of the children coloring themselves on pages just like a coloring book. These “coloring/painting” pages are created WITHOUT destroying the original picture! This is a very nice camera that exceeded my expectations. The camera in automatic is rarely fooled and every snapshot I take makes me glad I choose the D5000. I got the two lens kit which covers from 18mm to 200mm. The camera even has some photo editing features you can do right from the camera like spot removal. All in all, I could not be happier with this camera. Nikon does a nice job with their products and this unit has rekindled a love of photography that had gone dormant in me.

4 Stars Nice camera
I’ve been using the D5000 for about a month now. Outstanding picture quality, really like using the GPS accessory with Apple’s iPhoto automatically linking to maps. Just two drawbacks, though:

1. When using the 55-200 lens with AF and VR, sometimes the camera seems to get lost and simply do not take the picture at all, need to change subject or turn it off and back on to be able to shoot, and 2. When recording movies, the AF does not work, so you need to focus manually – not a big deal if scene does not have big depth or subject does not move towards or away from the camera.

5 Stars no regrets
I haven’t come close to utilizing all the features of the camera but I love it so far. I used to shoot a lot with my film SLR years ago and was initially excited about going digital, but found that the shutter delay on all my digital point and shoots was terrible. I ended up taking fewer pictures! Shutter delay is minimal in the D5000. Still not as fast as a film SLR but the lag is not so long as to be irritating.

Finally Nikon DSLR technology and quality are affordable. I paid $965 I think, for the body and two lens package, which I think is more than reasonable. There is no point in getting a higher resolution camera at this point in time because I don’t think the technology is there unless you are spending many thousands of $$$$.

Yes, shooting with the Live View on is a joke. It takes up to five seconds to get a photo depending on the lighting/subject. The workaround is simple. Compose your photo with Live View if you like, turn off the live view and the touch of a button and THEN take your photo. Yes it would be nice if this were not a problem but for less than a grand with video capability I am willing to put up with it. Besides, i am old-school and actually prefer TTL composition anyway. YMMV.

Hope this helps in your decision making process!

Buy/More Info