Nikon unveils mid-range pro-friendly DSLR

Better than the D300, but not quite the D3

Nikon has launched a digital SLR designed to appeal to photgraphers with their eye on its entry-level D300 DSLR but hungry for a few more features, and to those looking for top-end D3 specs, but not willing to pay its price tag.

The result is the D700, a mid-range - but still professional quality - DSLR that sits between the D3 and the D300. The new camera boasts many of the same features as the D3, most notably its a 12.1-megapixel CMOS sensor.

Nikon's D700: has 12.1Mp

The D700’s ISO sensitivity tops out at 6400, but a high-sensitivity setting allows the camera to achieve an ISO equivalent to 25,600. Images can be called up from the camera’s CompactFlash card and viewed on its 3in LCD screen. An HDMI port is built into the D700 to allow it to be hooked up to an HD TV.

The D700 is smaller then the D3

Pictures spoiled by specks of dust shouldn’t be a problem with the D700, because the camera uses “vibrations at four different resonant frequencies” to steer dust away from the sensor. This function is automatically activated when the shooter’s turned on or off.

Any photographer conscious about the size of the camera will be pleased to hear that Nikon’s D700 is actually smaller than the D3 - the latest model measures 147 x 123 x 77m, instead of 160 x 157 x 86mm. The D700 weighs 995g, if you take out the battery and the memory card, and remove the lens.

The camera will be available later this month with a body-only price-tag of £2000 (€2530/$4000).

Click for the Nikon D700 Picture Gallery