The Nikon D800 is a 36.3-MP professional-grade full-frame DSLR, and a substantial improvement over the D700. It’s the predecessor to the D810. Key features include:

Exceptional Image Quality. The D800 offers a 51-point AF system, Nikon EXPEED 3 image processor, 3.2-inch rear LCD, and 91k-pixel metering sensor. It also features a 15.3MP DX mode, allowing high-quality images when you’re using DX lenses.

Great for Sports Shooters. Sports shooters may find the 25MP 1.2x crop mode useful for giving just a little more distance to their telephoto lenses. The D800 is capable of 4 fps continuous shooting in FX mode and 6 fps continuous shooting in DX mode.

Revised Controls. The button layout has gone through a slight restructuring, including the adoption of the D7000 AF mode/function control. The D800 has both CF and SDHC/XC memory card slots.

Improved Video and Audio. Nikon has included the D4’s beefed-up video mode in the D800. It records 1080p at 24/30 fps in H.264/MPEG-4 format in-camera, or uncompressed 8-bit 4.2.2 footage via external recorder. The on-screen audio levels and headphone jack simplify monitoring with 20-step increments for adjusting audio levels in-camera. You can also manually adjust this camera’s exposure settings, including the 1/8th-stop power aperture mode, allowing extreme fine-tuning. The D800 allows simultaneous on-camera live view for situations that require external monitoring.

Known issues:

Memory-card compatibility issue. We strongly recommend using Sandisk memory cards with this camera. Other manufacturers’ memory cards—particularly Kingston CF and SD cards—have known compatibility issues with the D800.

Viewfinder-miscalibration issue. There have been reports of viewfinders being miscalibrated, resulting in backfocus when manually focusing through the viewfinder. We’ve tested all of our cameras and haven’t found any exhibiting this problem.

Left-side autofocus-sensor issue. There are certainly plenty of reports from very reputable sources demonstrating that many D800 bodies have inaccurate left-side autofocus sensors.

1. Nikon has not recognized the problem or announced a correction.
2. The problem is somewhat inconsistent and subtle.
3. Many cameras sent to Nikon Factory Service with the problem come back just like they went in.

Nikon has unfortunately decided “it is what it is.” We can’t promise left-side AF sensors will be accurate and can’t check them with any reproducible accuracy since the problem occurs at different distances, focal lengths, whatever. If you decide to use left-side AF-sensor points, your results may be bad, and we can’t be responsible.