After months of rumors, Nikon has finally announced the D800 and D800E to their latest DSLR lineup. Both these cameras with Nikon FX-format CMOS sensor can deliver an unbelievable 36.3 effective megapixel. The World’s highest (as of 07th Feb, 2012) in terms of effective megapixels. Nikon claims you can enlarge the image as big as A1 poster-sized prints (59.4 x 841.1 cm/23.4 x33.1 inch) at 200 dpi, or crop aggressively to reach the composition you desire all without sacrificing the detail and tonal range of the original.
Nikon D800 has optimized low-pass filter which reduces false color and moiré when compared to the Nikon D800E, which incorporates an optical filter with all the anti-aliasing properties removed in order to facilitate the sharpest images possible.. This is the only one difference (as claimed by Nikon) between the 2 cameras and perhaps the reason for difference in price too.
The D800/D800E set a new benchmark for high-resolution D-SLR cameras, with crisp clean images across a wide ISO range. Flexibility like this opens up new imaging opportunities for both still photographers and cinematographers alike during the “magic hour”, the time just before dawn or at dusk when available light is often beautiful but scarce. Even at high ISO settings, the camera’s intelligent noise reduction systems manage noise without sacrificing fine details, giving the D800/D800E the edge. High image quality at higher ISOs also means that you can shoot still images handheld more confidently, knowing that fast shutter speeds will reduce blur.
These cameras are engineered with state of art Nikon EXPEED 3 image processing engine to deliver speed, versatility and high performance. (News/Image source – Nikon)
The most asked question – which one should you get?
If you are a studio/portrait/fashion/architectural photographer, Nikon D800 should be ideal with optimized low pass-filter (anti-aliasing filter). If you are a nature/landscape/sports or a wildlife photographer, Nikon D800E should be ideal to get maximum detail with the astounding 36.3 megapixel sensor.
If you intend to buy these high-end professional cameras, you can pre-order them from Adorama, B&H Photo Video and Amazon, before they run out of stock.
Pre-oder price for Nikon D800: $2,999
Pre-order price for Nikon D800E: $3,299
