Nikon D810

A full-frame D-SLR for cinematographers and multimedia photographers

The D810 replaces both the 800 and the 800E that Nikon launched two years back and which shook up the world of full frame photography. Though at first glance it just looks like a revision of its previous avatar, the D810 has some specs tweaked that make it ideal for shooting high definition videos and full frame photography.

The 810 will be available in India by the end of July 2014.

Both the previous avatars and the 810 share 36.3 megapixels resolution specs, but Nikon has removed the Anti Alias Filter, thus assuring you of higher picture sharpness, though you may see a bit of moiré here and there. The D810 runs the latest ExSpeed processor from Nikon, allowing it to shoot 5 frames per second at full frame, compared to 4 in the last generation, and 7 frames per second in the DX mode. The processor also allows unlimited continual shooting, which was limited to 100 frames in the 800 and 800E. The sensor natively has a low ISO of 64, which can be lowered to ISO 32, letting you click long exposure shots without ND filters, and on the higher end it can go up to ISO 12,800 or ISO 51,200 in expanded mode, giving you a low-light monster that can capture images literally in no light.

The D810 also features a new LCD. Though it remains a 3.2-inch screen, it has an increased sharpness with 1,299k dots. Improved scene recognition handles contrasting light easily, and its group AF capability ensures that shots are better focused.

For videographers, there is some good news: now you can save your videos on the SD card/CF card in the camera even while you watch the movie over HDMI connected displays. The 810 can shoot full high definition 1080/60p movies with stereo sound. For shooting with slow shutter speeds, an electronic first-curtain shutter and a redesigned sequencer/ mirror balancer reduces vibrations to give you some great imagery.

The D810 is an enviable buy, but if you have the D800 or D800E, this may not really be the model you want to upgrade to.

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Gagandeep Singh Sapra