"Nikon says that the D810 produces the best image quality of any DSLR in its history and we can't wait to put that claim to the test."
- High pixel count
- No anti-aliasing filter for better detail resolution
- 5fps shooting at full-resolution
- Huge file sizes
- No Wi-Fi built-in
- Moire interference be more of an issue
Thanks to their impressive detail resolution the two cameras quickly went to the top of the wish list for many professional and enthusiast photographers, especially those looking for a comparatively lightweight camera for landscape, still life or macro photography. They have remained firm favourites ever since, setting the bar for resolution by which other cameras are judged.
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This should enable the new camera to record even more detail than before, and Nikon is claiming that the Nikon D810 produces 'the highest image quality in Nikon's history'. Omitting the AA filter brings increased risk of moire patterning in images, but it hasn't been found to be a major issue for D800E users.
Features
Other changes from the D800 include a higher resolution LCD screen, the ability to record smaller raw images as seen with the Nikon D4S and the introduction of Group-area AF mode, also seen in the D4S. The move to the EXPEED 4 processing engine also enables an increase in the maximum continuous shooting rate at full resolution to 5fps, this was previously 4fps. Alternatively, the D810 can shoot at 7fps in DX format and record 15.3Mp images.
The D810's buffer capacity has also improved and it can shoot more raw files than the D800 in a single burst. For example it can shoot 47 lossless compressed 12-bit raw files rather than 21, and 23 uncompressed 14-bit raw files instead of 16. This is a significant step forward in making the D810 more of an all-rounder, but you have to be prepared for the memory cards to fill up quickly.
Sensitivity may be set in the native range ISO 64-12,800 and there expansion settings stretching from ISO 32 to ISO 51,200, giving greater scope for shooting at wide apertures or in bright conditions as well as better low-light capability.
In another change to the Picture Control options it's now possible to adjust image clarity or micro contrast to give an impression of greater (or reduced) sharpness without over-emphasising strong edges.
Video (and stills) may be shot in FX or DX format and there's a clean HDMI out, plus the ability to capture full-resolution footage in-camera and on an external recorder simultaneously. When shooting video in manual mode, sensitivity can be set from ISO 64 to ISO 51200 while the Auto ISO function allows you to specify the maximum sensitivity setting to be used. This is especially useful when combined with the ability to use power aperture and set the two buttons next to the lens mount on the front of the camera (marked Fn and Pv) to open up or close down aperture. It should also ensure steadier footage with less operation noise.
Like the D4S, the D810 has Nikon's 51-point Multi-CAM 3500FX AF system which adds Group-area AF mode to the usual options (9-,21- and 51-point dynamic-area AF and 3D-tracking). Group-area AF mode is designed to help when shooting subjects that are comparatively small and close to a high-contrast or distracting background. When it's activated the user selects an AF point and the camera uses it and the ones immediately above, below, left and right to keep the subject sharp.
Like the Nikon D4S, the Nikon D810 can record smaller sized uncompressed 12-bit raw files. This is of particular interest to animators and those producing timelapse sequences who want the quality and control of raw files without the huge file sizes of a 36MP image.
While the size of the D810's screen remains the same as the D800's at 3.2-inches, its resolution has been boosted to 1,229,000-dots (the D800 has 921,000 dots) and the colour balance and brightness can be tuned to the photographer's preference or the shooting conditions.
It's a shame that Nikon hasn't included Wi-Fi connectivity in the D810, instead users wishing to transfer images wirelessly have to use the optional UT-1 Data Transmitter together with the WT-5 Wireless Transmitter.
A negative exposure compensation of 1.67EV was required in Matrix metering mode to get this ISO 1600 image just as we wanted it; slightly darker than the original scene but with beautiful evening colours.
Shot handheld at 1/125 and f/5.6 at 58mm with the 24-70mm f/2.8, this ISO 620 shot has plenty of natural looking detail.
Shooting at f/2.8 at 150mm has restricted depth of field nicely, but there's plenty detail of in this ISO 100 shot.
The low, soft light gave the AF system a challenge, but it was up to it – and despite using ISO3200, the D810 has produced a beautiful image with subtle chroma noise.
Zooming in to 100% reveals logos on caps and hair details in this shot taken using a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens at the 200mm point with a 2x converter to give 400mm.
This shot was taken at ISO 6400, but the texture of the suitcases is visible and the tonal gradations look natural. The Matrix metering has produced a nice balanced result.
source:-Nikon D810 review
