Nikon D3 at Amazon
Nikon D700 at Amazon
The D700 or the D3, which one should I get?
Image quality wise there are no perceptual differences between the D700 and D3. There are four primary differences between the cameras: (1) length of life (2) processor speed (e.g., impacting frame rate) (3) size/ergonomics and (4) the D700 has an on-board flash.
The D3 is more of a heavy-duty camera – it is more reliable and has a greater shutter life (150,000 vs. 300,000 actuations) so it will last a lot longer. I can see this as a big seller for pro-photographer, but for amateurs, like myself, probably not as much as we will probably upgrade to a new camera before the camera’s demise. Alongside this pro-advantage – the D3 has dual memory slots. But hey –
us amateurs can get bigger cards – 32G cards are becoming quit reasonably priced.
The D3 has a dual processor giving the D3 more power and speed –
it can achieve a frame rate of up to 9 frames per second. The D700 achieves 5 fps with its single processor, but with the MB-D100 battery grip with AA batteries it offers up to 8 frames per second. The D3 has a slight edge as it goes to 9 fps but in practice this is not really noticeable. With the battery grip the D700 is bulkier, larger and heavier than the D3 and not as ergonomic – again ergonomics is a factor for heavy-duty hardcore shooters.
Another advantage of the D3 is the 100% viewfinder coverage –
the D700 only has 95% coverage.
The D700 edges the D3 on having sensor cleaner and as a smaller & lighter travel camera, it is lighter on your wrist but the trade-off (without the battery grip) is focus acquisition and frame rate.
In summary the choice boils down to a function of price versus wear, so for the price of one 2008 D3 ($4,540), you may get a 2008 D700 ($3,000 + $240 grip) and a 2010 D800 with newer technology – so the question is within that same time span do you want (need) the D3? But of-course, it is just something about having the best Nikon Camera – and that is of-course the D3 (or perhaps the upcoming the D3x).
The D3 difference:
- 300,000 actuations (150,000 for the D700)
- Dual memory card slots (vs. single on the D700)
- 100% viewfinder coverage (95% for the D700).
- No build in flash.
- Better ergonomics.
- No sensor cleaner.
- Choice of a 5:4 image aspect option (D3 only)
- Better battery life.
- Frame rate 9 fps (D3), 8 fps (D700 with a battery grip), 8 fps (D300 with a battery grip).
- Price $4,540 (D3) vs. $3,000 (D700) vs. $1,625 (D300).
- The MB-D100 battery grip is $240.00.
- .20 seconds focus and shoot with the D3 (vs. .25 seconds for the D700).
Resources:
http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/5484/nikon-d700-camera-test.html
http://www.nikond700.com/nikon-d3-d700-compared/
http://www.digitalcamerareview.com/default.asp?newsID=3664
http://www.dpreview.com/previews/nikond700/
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond3/
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/D3/D3A.HTM
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/D700/D700A.HTM
Sample Photos:
D700 w/ battery grip: 24-70mm f/2.8G at f/10 & 1/1000, ISO 200
- D700 w/ battery grip: 24-70mm f/2.8G at f/2.8 & 1/500, ISO 400
- D700 w/ battery grip: 24-70mm f/2.8G at f/7.1 & 1/500, ISO 1,000
- D3: 24-70mm f/2.8G at f/2.8 & 1/1,250, ISO 200
- D3: 24-70mm f/2.8G at f/2.8 & 1/160, ISO 200
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- D3: 24-70mm f/2.8G at f/2.8 & 1/125, ISO 640
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