Nikon D810 Hands on preview - I AM MOVING PICTURES

[daredevil123]

ClubSNAP attended the I AM MOVING PICTURES (D810 launch) event yesterday at 1 Altimate. We got a hands on on the D810 and took some sample images with it.

Let us start off with the official press release.

New 36.3-megapixel Nikon D810 Boasts the Versatility and Performance for Stunning Shots

Unrivalled Video and Image Quality to Meet the Exacting Needs of Photography Enthusiasts & Professionals

SINGAPORE, 26 June 2014 – Nikon Singapore Pte Ltd is pleased to announce the launch of the new D810, a full-frame digital SLR camera designed to enable photographers the opportunity to unleash their potential and produce extremely high definition, high-quality images and video. The D810 offers the ability to record stunning Full HD video, while a 36.3-megapixel sensor and wide ISO range combine to offer unrivalled images rich in tone and definition. The D810 delivers shots that put the camera in a class of its own, while offering outstanding versatility to enable it to excel in a wide range of environments and situations.

The D810 puts incredible power and flexibility in the hands of videographers, recording Full HD 1080p movies at 60 frames per second (fps). It features top-notch image quality, and is designed to meet the needs of photography enthusiasts and professionals alike who demand a DSLR that delivers the ultimate blend of clarity, sharpness, and rich colours for any shot. The new model features a 36.3-megapixel sensor and an ISO range of 64 to 12800, giving the camera the capacity to maximise the full potential of Nikon’s wide range of NIKKOR lenses.

“The new Nikon D810 builds on the performance of the acclaimed D800 in producing breath-taking images," said Garland Mak, Deputy General Manager of International Marketing Division Imaging Group, Nikon Singapore Pte Ltd. "The raw power of the D810 maintains the integrity of every frame, blending incredible picture quality with the ability to capture clear Full HD video, while giving professionals complete creative control over the image. Its high megapixel count and wide ISO range ensure rich and sharp images regardless of shooting conditions.”

The full-frame D810 is a step up from the successful D800, boasting an effective pixel count of 36.3 million, enabling images to be enlarged without degrading quality. The image sensor is designed without an optical low-pass filter to ensure images appear sharp while retaining rich tonality. It also packs the power of the EXPEED 4 imageprocessing engine that delivers high-speed processing with a wide range of ISO sensitivities ranging from 64 to 12800. This can be decreased to Lo 1 (ISO 32
equivalent), or increased up to Hi 2 (ISO 51200 equivalent), to offer further creative control for shooting in less-than-optimal conditions.

 

[daredevil123]

D810 Primary Features

1. High-definition, high-quality video

· Clear and accurate recording: The D810 features support for recording of 1080/60p Full HD videos. Optimized data processing designed to make use of the 36.3 effective megapixels provides rich, detailed video with smooth exposure alteration, even when brightness changes. The readout method of the image sensor has been further optimized to produce higher-definition images with a sense of depth. The D810 is designed to make the most of the range of high-quality NIKKOR lenses, opening up the possibilities of creative
expression for movie makers. HDMI output can be used to simultaneously record directly to an external recorder, providing an additional level of flexibility and smooth transition of tonality.

· Metering and control to deliver clear and balanced shots: Centre-weighted and highlight-weighted metering enable the shooter to achieve stable, accurate metering under both changing light conditions or fixed lighting as on a stage or studio. The highlight mode detects the brightest areas of the scene and automatically determines an appropriate exposure. It's also possible to automatically adjust ISO sensitivity to ensure appropriate exposure while shutter speed and aperture are fixed. A new Highlight Display feature automatically identifies and indicates areas that are likely to appear blown-out, prompting the videographer to adjust settings to achieve a better exposure.

· Dual-format recording: The D810 features support for two recording formats: full-frame- and cropped-format. The full-frame format provides outstanding results for movies filmed with a shallow depth of field, while the cropped-format recording offers an angle with a closer reach to the subject. These two angles of view can be achieved with a single lens, which enhances production efficiency.

· Improved audio that eliminates noise: A built-in stereo microphone is included that effectively minimises wind noise. Frequency response can be set between a wide range for atmospheric sounds or voice to highlight dialogue.

2. Unrivalled image quality in Nikon’s range

· 36.3-megapixel image sensor for rich tonality: The D810 includes a 36.3 megapixel image sensor designed without an optical lowpass filter to ensure images maintain rich tonality in any lighting conditions. The ISO sensitivity ranges from ISO 64 to 12800 and can be decreased to Lo 1 (ISO 32 equivalent), or increased up to Hi 2 (ISO 51200 equivalent) to suit any environment.

· EXPEED 4 image-processing engine delivers unrivaled quality and performance: The EXPEED 4 image-processing engine provides a number of enhancements that boost image quality over its predecessor. Enhancements include improved noise reduction performance at high sensitivities, as well as upgraded depth and clarity in gradation rendering - thanks to a new “Clarity”*1 option in Picture Control. Higher accuracy of automatic white balance and an increased number of continuous shots combine to enable the D810 to shine in terms of picture quality and performance. In addition, the adoption of a new CMOS sensor with the EXPEED 4 delivers high-speed continuous shooting at approximately 5 fps in full-frame format and approximately 7 fps*2 in cropped-format, making captures of a broader range for both still and moving subjects possible. (*1 Can be applied only to still images. *2 When powered by the AC Adapter EH-5b or the Multi-Power Battery Pack MBD12 with batteries other than the Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL15.)

· Advanced creativity with Picture Control: The D810 also includes Nikon’s sophisticated image creation system, providing the photographer with creative control and quick access to a range of image adjustments directly through the camera menu.

3. Reliability and versatility

· Quick and accurate autofocus: An improved, 51-point autofocus (AF) system provides the highest accuracy in the history of Nikon DSLRs with extremely quick and accurate focus acquisition. A new “group-area AF” mode helps avoid unintentional background focusing when shooting moving subjects.

· Reduced vibration for clearer images: The D810 includes an electronic front-curtain shutter, which effectively reduces internal mechanical vibration. When the electronic front-curtain shutter is enabled instead of the mechanical shutter during mirrorup, the camera’s image sensor acts as a front curtain of the focal-plane shutter and this provides stability and minimal blur – particularly when shooting long exposures at night.

· Accurate color for perfect shot composition: An optical viewfinder with 100 percent frame coverage enhances light transmission ratio and coloration, enabling the photographer to clearly and accurately line up their shots. A new prism coating offers a clear, bright view of the subject. The D810 also includes an Organic EL display element, which provides a clear display of the indicator in the viewfinder, even when shooting outdoors. Monitor color balance can be customized according to user’s taste and environment.

4. Robust Form and Function

· Superb operability for perfect composition: The D810 includes an i button that provides direct access to various functions according to shooting situations, enabling the photographer to quickly set up for a shot. A “splitscreen display zoom” function enlarges two points on the same horizontal line simultaneously to confirm that an image is accurately level, which is especially useful for architectural shots of buildings and bridges or landscapes with a horizon.

· Unlimited shots on the same frame: An unlimited number of high-quality JPEG images can be shot continuously, which helps produce beautiful light trails when shooting at night. When using the CH or CL release mode with a shutter speed slower than 4 seconds, the duration of continuous shooting can be extended indefinitely, provided memory card capacity and battery charge are not exhausted.

· Superior dust-prevention and durability: The D810 features a robust, weather-resistant design that offers a comprehensive seal against dust and water droplets. A newly-designed, highly accurate and durable shutter has been tested for 200,000 cycles with the unit actually loaded on the camera, providing years of trouble-free image capture.

5. High-performance NIKKOR lenses

· The perfect complement: The D810 has been designed to operate effectively with NIKKOR lenses to maximise the impact of the high pixel count to produce stunning still images and movies. The superb optical performance offered by the wide variety of lenses provides the shooter with the capability to capitalise on the performance of the camera.

* Except where noted, all specifications provided apply to use at an ambient temperature of 23°C (± 3°C) with a fully charged battery, in accordance with Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA) standards.

Price and Availability

The Nikon D810 will be available at Authorised Nikon Dealers around late July 2014.

For more information on the D810 and other Nikon products, please visit http://www.nikon.com.sg

-------------- END OF OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE---------------------

 

[daredevil123]

We brought our D800/e to the event. Here are some photos of the entire family together.

Nikon also displayed a D810 in a complete video rig. Photo by Alex Orgeta.

 

[daredevil123]

Sample pictures from D810. All pictures are straight out of camera JPEG fine with all options in picture styles zeroed out.

D810 ISO 64

Download original size (EXIF intact) here: https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3842/14661576324_cdb2f5e296_o.jpg

D810 ISO 100

Download original size (EXIF intact) here: https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5591/14477219308_a9c303ee02_o.jpg

D810 ISO 3200

Download original size (EXIF intact) here: https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2936/14663848275_5c8020ef7e_o.jpg

D810 ISO 6400

Download original size (EXIF intact) here: https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5494/14477169660_16129e6b81_o.jpg

D810 ISO 12800

Download original size (EXIF intact) here: https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3837/14663845895_146424b82f_o.jpg

 

[daredevil123]

ISO comparison between D810, D800e and D800.

Disclaimer: We were short on time, so the tests are quick and dirty shots done on a tripod with a 2sec self timer. They are NOT scientific tests in a controlled environment. The D800 and D800e are personal cameras owned by Alex Ortega and me respectively. As such, these cameras' AF have been adjusted and tuned for our use in our work. The D810 is provided as a sample from Nikon SG during the launch. We did not have the luxury of time nor the opportunity to tune the camera's AF system to be pinpoint accurate. Exact focus point may also vary, especially on a camera with such high resolution and a subject as hard to shoot as iced sprite, and the focus plane might shift. So, please compare the noise in the following crops and not the "sharpness". "Sharpness" may vary depending on minute changes in the focus plane. Vibrations may be introduced as well, when people walked around our booth, even though the pictures are shot on a tripod. It is also a worthwhile note that the picture styles settings menu in the D810 is completely redesigned and very different from the D800/e, so zeroed out does not necessarily mean the same between the camera models. Individual results may vary.

All photos are straight out of cameras, Aperture at F5.6, all using the same exact AF-S 50mm F1.4, shot on a tripod with a 2 sec self timer. Focus point might be different. Please compare the noise only.

ISO 100

 

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ISO 3200

 

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ISO 6400

 

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ISO 12800

 

[daredevil123]

More comparisons between D810 and D800e


ISO 3200

ISO 6400

 

[daredevil123]

ISO 12800

 

[jeff7id]

Thanks for sharing !
From the above photo, I still prefer pictures taken by D800E.
Are all pictures JPEG straight out of camera ? It seems that D810 apply too much noise reduction.

It would be interesting to see the RAW comparison.

 

[tomcat]

Why do the images from the D810 look so soft at all ISO levels? This is certainly not an improvement over the D800E and nowhere near as good as the Df.

 

[perspective]

Appreciate the test pictures. I think need to do a proper setup to compare results again. It shows from the above the the D800E is more crisp but I think the D810 focus was a little off.

 

[leeteckseng]

Why do the images from the D810 look so soft at all ISO levels? This is certainly not an improvement over the D800E and nowhere near as good as the Df.

maybe the lens not calibrated to the body yet?

 

[david 1233]

Appreciate the test pictures. I think need to do a proper setup to compare results again. It shows from the above the the D800E is more crisp but I think the D810 focus was a little off.

DSLR autofocus systems may not be as precise as you think. Manufacturing tolerances often result in subtle mismatches between camera bodies and lenses, resulting in poor autofocus performance. This can cause your images to be softer than they should be. Every maker of hi-end DSLRs acknowledges this by providing auto-focus adjustment capabilities right in their camera’s menu systems.One of my lens,a Sigma 50 F1.4 needs to have AF fine tune adjusted to -15 on my D800 And -10 On my D4 in order to be sharp.The best is to send it to Nikon SC to tune the said lens/ camera combination if you don't know how to perform AF fine tune.

 

[daredevil123]

Appreciate the test pictures. I think need to do a proper setup to compare results again. It shows from the above the the D800E is more crisp but I think the D810 focus was a little off.

DSLR autofocus systems may not be as precise as you think. Manufacturing tolerances often result in subtle mismatches between camera bodies and lenses, resulting in poor autofocus performance. This can cause your images to be softer than they should be. Every maker of hi-end DSLRs acknowledges this by providing auto-focus adjustment capabilities right in their camera’s menu systems.One of my lens,a Sigma 50 F1.4 needs to have AF fine tune adjusted to -15 on my D800 And -10 On my D4 in order to be sharp.The best is to send it to Nikon SC to tune the said lens/ camera combination if you don't know how to perform AF fine tune.

Agree. We need to do a proper test with more time. Looking back at the settings, NR on the D800e is set to OFF. I did not remember turning off the NR in the D810. My mistake. I also performed AF fine tuning on my D800e when I first got it and IIRC took around 30mins.

I will try to arrange for a session with Nikon SG to do a proper test.

 

[JacePhoto]

noise control is always so impressive...

 

[lunas]

Hope to have a chance to test out the cam during CS outing

 

[ortega]

quick and dirty test shot, we will do a more controlled test when we get our hands on the camera again

 

[MarkersNg]

Wonder if the camera is available at Nikon showroom already?