Melville, NY—Nikon announced the D810 for professional photographers and cinematographers. The DSLR features a brand-new 36.3 megapixel, full-frame FX-format sensor without an optical low pass filter for extreme resolution and dynamic range.
Bolstered by Nikon’s Expeed 4 image-processing engine, the camera is engineered to deliver enhanced response and performance for a variety of photographic, cinematic and broadcast disciplines. The Expeed 4 allows for an overall 30% boost in performance, a faster burst speed and improved energy efficiency. The D810 is capable of shooting at 5 frames per second at full resolution and 5:4, 6 fps in DX or 1.2x modes (15.4MP, 25.1MP, respectively) and 7 fps in DX mode (15.4MP), with battery pack.
“Once a user experiences the intense level of fine detail they are able to render using the immersive resolution of the D810, it will be hard to imagine a project without it,” said Masahiro Horie, director, Marketing and Planning, Nikon Inc. “When coupled with the amazing imaging capabilities of Nikkor optics, the D810 becomes a powerful storytelling tool to create images and broadcast-quality video with unprecedented detail, dynamic range and sharpness.”
Manifesting Nikon’s greatest image quality to date, the D810 employs a 36.3MP (7,360×4,912 resolution) CMOS sensor and does not have an OLPF, to wield extremely high resolution and enable professionals to make massive prints or crop liberally. Image quality further benefits from Nikon’s Expeed 4 processor, which is also said to suppress instances of false color and moiré. The processor also enhances noise reduction performance and helps to achieve a wider ISO range, from 64 to 12,800, to improve low-noise image capture in a variety of lighting. The ISO range is expandable from 32 (Lo-1) to 51,200 (Hi-2).
Nikon also implemented other new features to improve image quality, such as its Advanced Scene Recognition technology with the 91,000-pixel 3D color matrix meter III. The system analyzes each scene to recognize color, brightness and human faces to determine what type of subject a user is shooting. It then compares the data using an image database to adjust exposure, AF, auto white balance and i-TTL flash control and enhance subject tracking.
A “clarity” setting was also added to the picture control adjustment parameters, which adjusts mid tones to enhance details within an image. To help preserve the most detail in shadows and highlights, the new “flat” picture control profile is now available. This allows photographers and filmmakers to get the widest tonal range for maximum flexibility in post-processing. For further customization, users can make adjustments in .25 step increments for color, saturation and brightness levels. Additionally, the D810 uses a new highlight-weighted metering option, which detects the brightness in a scene and determines optimum exposure, preventing blown-out highlights.
Video Features
The D810 is built to deliver a cinematic experience with a range of professional-oriented features: broadcast-quality video capture at Full HD 1,920×1,080 at various frame rates, including 60/30/24p; FX and DX crop modes for a telephoto boost; the ability to relay uncompressed digital video to an external recorder via HDMI, while simultaneously displaying the video on the rear LCD and an external monitor; smooth in-camera, time-lapse and interval timer functions; a built-in stereo microphone and an external mic jack; wide and voice frequency ranges are now available for audio capture; and a zebra pattern can be displayed during live view, making it easy to spot overexposed areas.
Additionally, the D810 offers full manual control with a power aperture setting that makes it simple to adjust the exposure and depth of field on the fly while recording to an external recorder or SD/CF cards. And it provides full-time AF with an improved live-view AF function with faster full-time AF (AF-F mode).
Other features include: a bright viewfinder with 100% coverage; a 1229K-dot, 3.2-inch LCD screen; an enhanced Multi-Cam 3500-FX AF sensor module that utilizes new AF algorithms for precision, even in challenging light; the focus system has 15 cross-type AF sensors and works with the advanced scene recognition system to provide face detection, even through the viewfinder; a new group AF mode for enhanced accuracy, even while tracking subjects; the option to shoot in full resolution 14-bit RAW/NEF files or the new 12-bit RAW size small format; and a 200,000-cycle-tested shutter.
The camera has a built-in flash and is compatible with Nikon’s Creative Lighting System, including a built-in commander mode for controlling wireless Speedlights. The MB-D12 battery grip is also available to give users extra grip and extra power. For wireless control, the D810 works with Nikon’s remote systems, including the new wireless remote system with the WR-1 to trigger the camera remotely.
Nikon’s D810, which boasts magnesium alloy construction and a body that’s sealed and gasketed to resist the elements, will be available in late July for the suggested retail price of $3,299.95.
Nikon will be offering two kits designed for videographers and filmmakers; the D810 Filmmaker’s kit consists of the D810 body; the AF-S Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G, AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G and AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.8G lenses; two additional EN-EL15 batteries; the ME-1 stereo microphone; an Atomos Ninja-2 external recorder; and Tiffen 67mm and 58mm variable neutral density filters. For stop-motion applications, the D810 Animator’s kit features the D810 body; the AF-S Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G ED VR lens; the EH-5b power adapter; EP5B power supply connector and Dragonframe Stop Motion software plus a Dragonframe USB keypad controller. nikonusa.com
