Nikon D800E vs Nikon D700

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      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Nikon D800E and the Nikon D700, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Nikon D800E was introduced in June 2012 and Nikon D700 was introduced in October 2008. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Nikon D800E Highlights

      • 36.3 MP Full Frame CMOS Sensor
      • No Optical Low-pass Filter
      • 100 - 6,400 Native ISO
      • 51 Focus Points (51 Cross-type)
      • 3.2" 921k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
      • 4.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      • Wheather Sealed Body

      Nikon D700 Highlights

      • 12.1 MP Full Frame CMOS Sensor
      • 200 - 6,400 Native ISO
      • 51 Focus Points
      • 3.0" 922k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
      • 5.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      • Wheather Sealed Body

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Nikon D800E and Nikon D700.

      PROS

      Nikon D800E

      Nikon D700

      •   Video Capture
      •   Large Sensor
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Large Screen - 3.2"
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   High DxO Overall Score - 96
      •   High USB Speed
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Large Sensor
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Long Battery Life - 1000 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Nikon D800E

      Nikon D700

      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Video Capture
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.1 Megapixel
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   Heavy - 1074 g (2.37 lb / 37.88 oz)


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Nikon D800E

      Nikon D700

      •   Price
      •   Sensor Resolution - 36.3 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   -2 EV Min AF Detection
      •   15 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      •   Weight - 1000 g (2.20 lb / 35.27 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 900 shots
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 80

      Advantage of Nikon D800E

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D800E over Nikon D700.

      Nikon D800E vs Nikon D700
      Video Capture vs
      Higher Sensor Resolution 36.3 Megapixel vs 12.1 Megapixel
      Lower Native ISO 100 vs 200
      More Powerful Processor EXPEED 3 vs EXPEED
      Max Image Resolution 7360 x 4912 vs 4256 x 2832
      Tracking Autofocus vs
      Face Detection vs
      Larger Screen 3.2" vs 3.0"
      Higher Viewfinder Coverage 100% vs 95%
      Higher DxO Low Light ISO 2979 vs 2303
      Higher DxO Color Depth 25.6 vs 23.5
      Higher DxO Dynamic Range 14.3 vs 12.2
      Higher DxO Overall Score 96 vs 80
      Higher USB Speed USB 3.2 Gen 1x1 (5 GBit/sec) vs USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
      Speaker Mono vs
      Built-in Microphone Mono vs
      Microphone Input vs
      Headphone Output vs
      Lighter 1000 g (2.20 lb / 35.27 oz) vs 1074 g (2.37 lb / 37.88 oz)
      More Storage Slots 2 vs 1

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Nikon D800E.

      Advantage of Nikon D700

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D700 over Nikon D800E.

      Nikon D800E vs Nikon D700
      Higher Resolution Screen 921k dot vs 922k dot
      Higher Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent) 0.70x vs 0.72x
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 4.0 fps vs 5.0 fps
      Longer Battery Life 900 shots vs 1000 shots

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Nikon D700.

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Nikon D800E Nikon D700
        Large SensorFull FrameFull Frame
        Many Focus Points5151
        Live View Autofocus
        High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain)1/8000 sec1/8000 sec
        Built-in Flash
        HDMI Output Mini Type C Mini Type C
        Environmental Sealing
        Orientation Sensor
      WEAKNESSES Nikon D800E Nikon D700
        No Image Stabilization
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi
        No Built-In Bluetooth

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Nikon D800E has a 3.2" screen with 921k dot resolution and Nikon D700 has a 3.0" screen with 922k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.


      Viewfinder

      Cameras have built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinders. Nikon D800E has 100% coverage with 0.70x magnification and Nikon D700 has 95% coverage with 0.72x magnification.

      Sensor

      Nikon D800E features a 36.3 megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor with dimensions of 35.9 x 24 mm and a total area of 861.6 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 6,400 and expands to 100 - 25,600 in boosted mode. Nikon D700 features a 12.1 megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor with dimensions of 36.0 x 23.9 mm and a total area of 571.2 mm2. Its native ISO range is 200 - 6,400 and expands to 100 - 25,600 in boosted mode.


      Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

      Sensor size chart
      Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
      Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
      Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
      Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
      Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

      Photography Features

      Nikon D800E is equipped with EXPEED 3 processor and can take pictures up to 7360 x 4912 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 6144 x 4912, 6144 x 4080, 5520 x 3680, 4800 x 3200, 4608 x 3680, 4608 x 3056, 3680 x 2456, 3600 x 2400, 3072 x 2456, 3072 x 2040, 2400 x 1600 with 5:4, 3:2 aspect ratios. Nikon D700 is equipped with EXPEED processor and can take pictures up to 4256 x 2832 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3184 x 2120, 2128 x 1416 with 3:2 aspect ratios.


      Lens Mount

      Cameras have Nikon F lens mount. Due to their Full Frame sensor their crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is equal to 1x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length.


      No Low-Pass Filter on Nikon D800E

      There is no optical low-pass filter (OLPF), also known as an anti-aliasing filter, in front of the sensor on Nikon D800E. This results in a slightly sharper image but may also introduce moiré patterns and aliasing artifacts when photographing subjects with fine, repetitive patterns or details.


      No Image Stabilization

      The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Nikon D800E it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Nikon D700 nothing can be done. On Nikon D700 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Nikon D800E nothing can be done.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB inputs for data transfer. Nikon D800E has a Mini Type C HDMI and Nikon D700 has a Mini Type C HDMI connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Nikon D800E comes with EN-EL15 battery pack with battery life of 900 shots and Nikon D700 comes with EN-EL3e battery pack with battery life of 1000 shots.


      External Storage Slots

      Nikon D800E has two card slots - one for SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) and one for CompactFlash (Type I, compliant with UDMA). Nikon D700 has a single CompactFlash (Type I, compliant with UDMA) card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Nikon D800E and Nikon D700 have Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane. shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec on Nikon D800E, and up to 1/8000 sec on Nikon D700. Nikon D800E can shoot continuously up to 4.0 fps. Nikon D700 can shoot continuously up to 5.0 fps.


      Focusing

      Nikon D800E has 51 (15 cross-type) focusing points and Nikon D700 has 51 focusing points. Nikon D800E has detection range from -2 to +19 EV.


      Exposure

      Both cameras' exposure metering ranges from 0 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range on Nikon D800E and ±5 EV range on Nikon D700. You can also do exposure lock, exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Nikon D800E and exposure lock, exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Nikon D700.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 12.00 m at ISO 100 on Nikon D800E. They also accept external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/250 sec on both cameras.

      Physical Parameters

      Nikon D800E body has dimensions of 146 x 123 x 82 mm (5.75 x 4.84 x 3.23") and Nikon D700 body has dimensions of 147 x 123 x 77 mm (5.79 x 4.84 x 3.03"). Nikon D800E weighs 1000 g (2.20 lb / 35.27 oz) and Nikon D700 weighs 1074 g (2.37 lb / 37.88 oz).

      Nikon D800E

      Nikon D700

      146 mm

      123 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      147 mm

      123 mm

      Image cannot be displayed


      123 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      123 mm

      Image cannot be displayed


      82 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      77 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      Size comparisons of Nikon D800E and Nikon D700

      Nikon D800E and Nikon D700 for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Nikon D800E

      Nikon D700

      EXCELLENT
      86
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      GOOD
      83
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Nikon D800E

      Nikon D700

      GOOD
      74
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   15 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.0 fps
      •   Battery Life - 900 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      64
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Long Battery Life - 1000 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Nikon D800E

      Nikon D700

      GOOD
      70
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   15 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.0 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Battery Life - 900 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      65
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Long Battery Life - 1000 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Nikon D800E

      Nikon D700

      GOOD
      81
      •   Large Sensor
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   15 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Large Screen - 3.2"
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      76
      •   Large Sensor
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Nikon D800E

      Nikon D700

      GOOD
      79
      •   Large Sensor
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   15 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 1000 g (2.20 lb / 35.27 oz)
      GOOD
      77
      •   Large Sensor
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Heavy - 1074 g (2.37 lb / 37.88 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Nikon D800E

      Nikon D700

      GOOD
      74
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 1000 g (2.20 lb / 35.27 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 900 shots
      GOOD
      73
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Heavy - 1074 g (2.37 lb / 37.88 oz)
      •   Long Battery Life - 1000 shots

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Nikon D800E and Nikon D700 and give them scores of 71 and 63 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Nikon D800E

      Nikon D700

      OVERALL
      71
      OVERALL
      63

      Sensor

      Nikon D800E

      Nikon D700

      GOOD
      75
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Sensor Resolution - 36.3 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   High DxO Overall Score - 96
      GOOD
      71
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.1 Megapixel
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 80

      Photo

      Nikon D800E

      Nikon D700

      GOOD
      73
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      GOOD
      70
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec

      Video

      Nikon D800E

      Nikon D700

      BAD
      14
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      BAD
      0
      •   No Image Stabilization

      Focusing

      Nikon D800E

      Nikon D700

      GOOD
      79
      •   -2 EV Min AF Detection
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   15 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      GOOD
      71
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Nikon D800E

      Nikon D700

      GOOD
      73
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Large Screen - 3.2"
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      GOOD
      73
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot

      Connectivity

      Nikon D800E

      Nikon D700

      GOOD
      81
      •   High USB Speed
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      AVERAGE
      57
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Nikon D800E

      Nikon D700

      GOOD
      73
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 1000 g (2.20 lb / 35.27 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 900 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      AVERAGE
      68
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Heavy - 1074 g (2.37 lb / 37.88 oz)
      •   Long Battery Life - 1000 shots


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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