• 35mm 860.4mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 6400
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D700
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website
Nikon D700 webpage
Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor: Nikon D800
D700 vs D800
 
General
Model Number: D700 DSLR-A500
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $2999.95 $849.99
Street Price:    
Date Available: 2008-07-30 2009-10-08
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 38.6 oz (1,095 g)
includes batteries
31.7 oz (900 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 5.8 x 4.8 x 3.0 in.
(147 x 123 x 77 mm)
5.4 x 4.1 x 3.3 in.
(137 x 104 x 84 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Sony
Effective Megapixels: 12.1 12.3
Sensor Format: 35mm APS-C
Sensor size: 860.4mm2 (36.00mm x 23.90mm) 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 8.46 microns 5.55 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.0x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2, 16:9
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 80 64
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 23.5 21.8
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.2 11.6
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 2,303 772
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4256 x 2832 (12.1 MP, 3:2),
3184 x 2120 (6.8 MP, 3:2),
2128 x 1416 (3.0 MP, 3:2),
2784 x 1848 (5.1 MP, Other),
2080 x 1384 (2.9 MP, 3:2),
1392 x 920 (1.3 MP, Other)
4272 x 2848 (12.2 MP, 3:2),
4272 x 2400 (10.3 MP, 16:9),
3104 x 2072 (6.4 MP, 3:2),
3104 x 1744 (5.4 MP, 16:9),
2128 x 1416 (3.0 MP, 3:2),
2188 x 1192 (2.6 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; TIFF JPEG, RAW
Continuous-mode frames/second: 5.1 4.9
Video Capture
Can take movies: No No
Movie Resolution:
Movie File Format:    
Composite Video Out: Yes No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: Yes n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Nikon F Sony Alpha (Minolta A)
Lens: n/a Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):   27 - 83mm
Focal Length (actual):   18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio:   3.00x
Aperture Range:   f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (T)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:    
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a 55.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: No No
Digital Zoom Values: n/a n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 51-point TTL phase detection via Nikon Multi-CAM 3500FX with 15 cross-type and 36 line-type sensors 9-point TTL phase detection (one cross-type sensor) with eye-start AF; Wide, Spot, Local modes
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; fixed eye-level pentaprism, 95% coverage, 0.72x mag., 18mm eyepoint, -3 to +1 diopter SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.80x mag., 19mm eyepoint, -2.5 to +1.0 diopter
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.72x 0.53x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.72x 0.80x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 920,000 dots 230,400 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 27.0x 13.4x
Top Deck Display: Yes No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 6400 12800
Minimum ISO (native): 200 200
ISO Settings: 200 - 6400, plus down to 100 in Lo-1, up to 25,600 in Hi-2 Auto (200-1600), 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, seven manual modes can be preset with fine-tuning; color temperature setting, custom Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 1005-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II, Center-weighted, Spot (1.5%) centered on selected focus area 40-segment Multi Segment, Center-weighted, Spot; (1200 zone evaluative metering in Live View)
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: None Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset, Night Portrait/Night View
Self Timer: 2/5/10/20 seconds 2 or 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer): Yes  
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Front-curtain sync, Slow sync, Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync; supports Advanced Wireless Lighting system Auto, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. 12.0 m / 39.4 ft.
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent Lens dependent
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation: -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: ISO-type hot-shoe, PC Sync terminal Hot shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure Full TTL exposure
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; TIFF RAW
Movie File Format:    
Included Memory: No memory included  
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional wired Optional Wireless or Wired
Connections (extended): HDMI Out, DC Input, 10-pin Expansion Terminal (GPS and WT-4A compatible) DC input, mini-HDMI, Wired Remote
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.38 0.48
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.36 0.47
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 17 9
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 5.1 4.9
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 100 5
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.20 seconds 0.18 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.045 seconds 0.182 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.21 seconds 0.21 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.045 seconds 0.074 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Up to 8fps with MB-D10 Quick AF Live View: Center AF: 0.180s Wide-area AF: 0.181s
Startup Time: 0.4 seconds 0.5 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.4 seconds 0.3 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 2.6 seconds 3.4 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 1000 shots 1000 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL3e Proprietary NP-FM500H
Usable Battery Types: Lithium Ion rechargeable or MB-D10 battery grip Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL3e Lithium Ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Nikon Software Suite CD-ROM Software/USB Driver CD-ROM
OS Compatibility:   Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Mac OS X (v. 10.13+)
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Full-frame 12MP FX CMOS sensor (same as D3) in more compact, magnesium-alloy prosumer body with weather sealing, Expeed processor, dust-reduction, virtual horizon indicator, Scene Recognition System, 51-point AF, 2 mode Live View, built-in flash, 150K shutter, Active D-Lighting with new Auto mode, Picture Control, Vignette Control, HDMI, GPS and WT-4A wireless transmitter support. Exmore CMOS Sensor, Variable-angle LCD, SteadyShot In-body Sensor-shift Image Stabilization, Live View, Auto HDR, D-Range Optimizer (Auto, Level 1-5), HDMI Output.