D800/D800E vs D810

Krs_2007

Senior Member
I'm curious, not familiar with medium format but I have seen the new D810 being mentioned as basically a medium format camera. The sensor size is the same so how are people making this determination, just curious if anyone can speak on that.
 

Browncoat

Senior Member
I'm curious, not familiar with medium format but I have seen the new D810 being mentioned as basically a medium format camera. The sensor size is the same so how are people making this determination, just curious if anyone can speak on that.

Most of that is just marketing hubbub. You'll read some reviews and opinions from people who compare stats, but I doubt any of them have actually shot with a medium format camera. The D800 is very impressive, but I wouldn't call it a competitor.

1. Sensor size
The D800's sensor is massive. Forget about the 36MP for a moment, I'm talking about the actual sensor itself, in inches (or mm if that's your thing). It's already a full-frame sensor, which has benefits over crop, but it's large even for a normal full-frame. Still...as big as it is, it's not as big as a medium format sensor. You can get some great DoF with the D800, no doubt. But the DoF you can get with medium format is incredible. No comparison in my opinion.

2. Dynamic range
This is the other major comparison point of D800 vs medium format. I can honestly say that the dynamic range of the D800 is something to behold. As in, you can literally capture HDR-level range with a single exposure. It's that good. 12-14 stops of range, depending on who you ask/read. This is on par with medium format.

3. Color capture
This is the game changer. DSLRs capture in 14 bit, versus 16 bit for medium format. What's the big deal, right? It's 2 points.
  • 14 bit = 16,384 color values per channel
  • 16 bit = 65,536 color values per channel
That's an enormous difference. Colors are richer and more true to life with medium format.

Take a look at the photos of Annie Leibovitz and Joey L. They're two commercial photographers who use medium format to great effect.
 

Krs_2007

Senior Member
@Browncoat, thanks I get it now. I never shot medium format but have seen the results and just couldn't draw enough of a comparison to the statement I read. This clears it up
 

LensWork

Senior Member
1. Sensor size
It's already a full-frame sensor, which has benefits over crop, but it's large even for a normal full-frame.

???? I am confused.

35.9x24mm is large even for a normal full-frame? I am afraid I do not understand. "Full-frame" 35mm film image area was (is) 36x24mm. What cameras that the manufacturers refer to as "full-frame" are smaller than ~36x24mm?
 

rocketman122

Senior Member
the high iso performance going to 12800 is the biggest plus here. but this is not a camera for wedding protogs. 20mp would be the perfect rez.
 

Browncoat

Senior Member
That was some bad writing on my part, dancing back and forth between physical size and MP. I should've been more specific and referred to mm².
 

gqtuazon

Gear Head
the high iso performance going to 12800 is the biggest plus here. but this is not a camera for wedding protogs. 20mp would be the perfect rez.

I agree with the Higher ISO and possibly the group AF points as selling points.

MP wise is subjective since some wedding photogs minimum requirement is 24mp.


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Silven

Senior Member
It's cool and there are some features for sure that I feel they should've included in the D800E but not enough for me to pine for one. I'm a big fan of not having an optical low pass filter for the type of shooting I do. Next step for me would be medium format if at all.
 

Cowleystjames

Senior Member
I love it, just bought one to replace my D800e as the low light capability with the Expeed 4 processor is awesome. It now supplements my D4s, and as for the resolution being too high? Get a better computer and be amazed at the crop potential.
 

Roger3006

Senior Member
Hello everyone,

Will those of you that have used the D800 and the D810 tell me the advantages of the D810 and the D800?

In short, what can I do better or easier with the D810 over the D800?

I do a lot of product photography but not in the traditional since. I am a firearms broker and photograph a variety of guns but not always in an environment where I can precisely control my lighting. That is why I shoot with a D800 rather than the D800E.

I love my D800. I am going to buy another full frame body for redundancy. I considered a D750 for some of my outdoor event projects; however, for a little more money I can buy another D800. Is there anything I can do with a D750 that a D 800 won't do as well or better. File size is not a problem. My other thought is to buy a D810 if it is a significant improvement over the D800.

Thank you all for your input.

Roger


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J-see

Senior Member
I never owned a D800 or D800E but I can tell you the most important difference between the D750 and D810: 64 ISO.

In terms of quality, that's the major difference. All the rest makes the one better at this while the other is better at that but when shooting both at native ISO, the 100 vs 64 are worlds apart.
 

lorenbrothers

Senior Member
I didn't see this review referenced in this thread so I will post it. Lots of great info on the 810 and comparisons with the 800 and 800E. One needs to devote at least an hour, if not more, to read the entire thing including the subtabs and the various galleries.

I highly recommend the read!

Nikon D810 Review - D810 Overview
 

STM

Senior Member
I'm curious, not familiar with medium format but I have seen the new D810 being mentioned as basically a medium format camera. The sensor size is the same so how are people making this determination, just curious if anyone can speak on that.
"Medium format" DSLRs are not medium format either. The Hasselblad's sensors are 53.4 x 40.0mm, not even up to a 6x4.5 film format.
 
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