Wanting a new main camera, 610 or 800?

Hello everyone! I'm sorry to bother you all with another one of these silly threads. I've been enjoying photography as a hobbyist for some 4 or more years. Within the past year and a half I've been more invested in photography and find myself attending or being hired to do more events. I think it's about time I choose a new main camera to give my clients full frame quality that they deserve as well as taking higher caliber shots for own enjoyment. My current camera is a D7000 that can take the role as secondary camera.

My main enjoyment is auto-photography, fast moving cars, motorcycles, and bicycle races. I attend a number of weddings, baby showers, sporting events (gymnastics, martial arts, races, etc.). On occasion I do portraits when request.

I plan on buying used with a price budget of $2500. Any words of advice between the D610 or D800? Other camera body recommendations within my price budget are welcome as well.

Thanks for the help!

The handling and button configuration between the 7000 and 610 being about the same (few exceptions), I'd say you probably would feel more comfortable with the 610. But there is something to be said about the 800 or 810 IQ. I'd say get into a store that has both models and handle them a bit. Your hands should tell you what's best for you.

I have a D7000 and added a D600 in April of last year. As Marcel stated, the controls are almost identical. My vote is for the 610 and also buy a good standard zoom (24-70). You might find a used 610 with an aftermarket lens for $2500. If you buy a used 800, you only have a 50 and your 80-200 to take advantage of all those MP.

People will throw in their two cents here soon.

I would do what Marcel recommended just to get a first hand experience with the feel and performance.

if it was me, I would jump on the D810, but that is just me.


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I have never regretted getting my D800. Today, it would be the 810.

And, I found out that I'm even smart enough to figure out where some of the buttons were located and what they do.

singlerosa said:

I have a D7000 and added a D600 in April of last year. As Marcel stated, the controls are almost identical. My vote is for the 610 and also buy a good standard zoom (24-70). You might find a used 610 with an aftermarket lens for $2500. If you buy a used 800, you only have a 50 and your 80-200 to take advantage of all those MP.

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I saw the 810, 800, and 610 todaay. At $3300 for 810 body only, it's a steep hill to climb for such a beautiful machine, price was the only downside. I had a friend with me so I didn't want to spend hours pointing and shooting. I wish there was a computer so I could've uploaded the pictures and seen the difference with a better view than the built in screens. The 610 had a very comfortable feel to it compared to the 800, at $1900 new (~1700 used), I think I'll get more for my buck with the 610 and have the bulk of what I need for my next lens to be.


I'm currently saving up for the 24-70 f2.8 to be my main everyday lens -- but that won't be for about a month.


Thanks for your input everyone : )!

I'm a bit late but the 800 is the way to go. I actually regretted getting the D7100 over the 800, I actually have both now but really should have got the 800 the first time around.



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Given what it is you're looking to shoot, the AF on the D800 is going to be your biggest advantage over the D610. Not that the D600 is bad, but the D800 is better, which is going to help you in situations like low light corporate events and with high speed automotive. Both are great cameras, and I use them both. If you've got the budget for it the D800 will be the wiser choice down the road. That said, if you're using it in tandem with the D7000 then it's going to take you a few months to get used to the differences, which actually may be less frustrating than dealing with the almost identical control layout of the D610 - why did they bother reversing the '+' and '-' control buttons on the back?!

ShaggyRS6 said:

I'm a bit late but the 800 is the way to go. I actually regretted getting the D7100 over the 800, I actually have both now but really should have got the 800 the first time around.



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Not too late because I haven't ordered the body yet, I think the 7100 is a big difference compared to the 800. The 610 stands in the middle of both. Hearing a lot of good things about the 800 though.

I don't regret purchasing my 7000, I took tens and thousands of shots and learned more about photograpahy than I ever had with my point and shoot. As an entry level learner kit, it was and still is fun : ) -- I have some younger cousins who are interested and I'm sure they'd get lot out of using it as well.

BackdoorHippie said:

Given what it is you're looking to shoot, the AF on the D800 is going to be your biggest advantage over the D610. Not that the D600 is bad, but the D800 is better, which is going to help you in situations like low light corporate events and with high speed automotive. Both are great cameras, and I use them both. If you've got the budget for it the D800 will be the wiser choice down the road. That said, if you're using it in tandem with the D7000 then it's going to take you a few months to get used to the differences, which actually may be less frustrating than dealing with the almost identical control layout of the D610 - why did they bother reversing the '+' and '-' control buttons on the back?!

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I was worried that the D800 had autofocus issues and the 810 would've fixed the kinks the 800 had. Would I regret the 610 over the 800 then?? 24 to 36 MP seems like a steep increase in detail.

It's all trade-offs between little things at that level, so there's no way I can tell you whether or not you'd notice something, let alone regret not getting something else because of it. If you're willing to spend the money, perhaps rent them for a day or two and shoot away and make up your mind the proper way?

If you can afford it, get the D810. Wait a few months and there would be discounts on 810, and larger ones on 800.

Unfortunately the sweet spot for price might be a few months off. Personally I am going for a D700 as I do not have interest in the file size of either and would need to invest huge in glass for either as well. I plan on waiting a bit more for some price swing.

KEH has great prices at present on D600 and D610 tho, they have some refurbs too.....

If your in or near Providence, Hunt Photo on east side does in nice job with used kit. Hands on is encouraged and no issues with bringing some media and a laptop to agonize over test images. Their price on new kit will match on line prices too. Great LCS!

Very interested tho in hearing the continuation of your quest.

Get the D610 and don't look back...The sensor is one of the best...You dont need 36mp for what your looking to do..I took this yesterday with my D610..My daughters pose wasn't the best..It was quite hot yesterday..



This was taken with the Nikkor 24mm-70mm 2.8G(click on pic for better quality)

The d800 and d800e are great cameras but if you are someone that uses high FPS the 610 would be a better choice. I don't shoot sports often enough to need the high FPS so when when it's time to switch to FX I will likely go 810 or 800e if someone is liquidating refurbs or old stock

hrstrat57 said:

Unfortunately the sweet spot for price might be a few months off. Personally I am going for a D700 as I do not have interest in the file size of either and would need to invest huge in glass for either as well. I plan on waiting a bit more for some price swing.

KEH has great prices at present on D600 and D610 tho, they have some refurbs too.....

If your in or near Providence, Hunt Photo on east side does in nice job with used kit. Hands on is encouraged and no issues with bringing some media and a laptop to agonize over test images. Their price on new kit will match on line prices too. Great LCS!

Very interested tho in hearing the continuation of your quest.

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Thanks for the tip off on the KEH website, I'm browsing through it right now : )

I'm just north of Boston, but I venture all around the New England area. I like to throw my camera on the back of my motorcycle in a backpack or tail bag and adventure around.


KEH has some decent deals on the 610 where the 800 is always about 500$ more expensive. I really like that the later models fix the problems with the originals that come out. Great site, thanks for the recommendation. I'll have to search online for local shops that will let me rent.

Toddinlou said:

The d800 and d800e are great cameras but if you are someone that uses high FPS the 610 would be a better choice. I don't shoot sports often enough to need the high FPS so when when it's time to switch to FX I will likely go 810 or 800e if someone is liquidating refurbs or old stock

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I don't go much faster than 1/250 shutter speed at outdoor sporting events, I'm afraid to know what kind of shots would require 1/8000. Those people who take shots of high lighting moving water droplets always amaze me.

Good luck with it Panza, please advise what you decide and how you make out!