TECHNOLOGY
This full-frame 36.3 megapixel DSLR takes everything good about its predecessors and betters it, at a lower price. What more can a photographer ask for?
When it comes to serious photography, the kind where you are willing to cut absolutely no corners on image quality and detail, there are very few products that come close to an honest-to-goodness Digital SLR camera.
You may argue in favour of smaller devices such as the newer micro four-thirds cameras or may even go so far as to say that high-end mobile phones (such as the Samsung Galaxy S6 or the iPhone 6) have cameras that rival DSLR cameras. Hogwash.
In the world of photography, there is one universal truth--nothing can compensate for ‘bigger’. It is pure physics--bigger sensors capture purer image information with lesser noise, and larger lenses capture more light, which is all important in taking great photos or videos. Even while advancements have been made in digital signal processing, where the inherent challenges of image noise, brightness and distortion can be ‘compensated’ by smart image processing algorithms in smaller devices, the final result--though it may look alright to the untrained eye--is still processed. It’s like a top-of-the-menu McDonald’s burger and a gourmet burger from a fine dining restaurant: they’ll both taste good, but the difference in quality is unmistakable.
Which brings me to the Nikon D810. This is Nikon’s new full-frame DSLR, and it pushes many limits on how much photographic power can be packed into something that fits in two palms. Its standout features include 36.3 megapixels of resolution, which delivers all the pixels you’d possibly want even if you aggressively crop your photos (see the example above--the photo was taken at regular laptop viewing distance, but even individual pixels are discernable at 100% view). In conjunction with its fast and intelligent EXPEED 4 imaging processor, you can snap burst shots at a speedy 5fps (going up to 7fps if you use the DX mode that has a lower-resolution setting). All the while, the D810 is significantly quieter than its predecessor the D800 (and even the pro-quality D4S or the D600 for that matter).
We used both a Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G prime and a Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM zoom lens over the course of the review. Autofocus is particularly stellar in this camera: along with the 51 AF points, we experienced its excellent Auto AF mode that locks on to subjects in the viewfinder with immediacy and precision. It is also able to stay locked on to relevant areas even when the subject is moving within the field of view. The quick autofocus tracking works excellently with that inherently quick burst mode: no matter what the action in front of you--from extreme sports to a particularly wired toddler--this camera responds with unfailing enthusiasm and reliability.
Having a full-frame sensor itself begets images with lower noise. The D810 notches this to another level with the ability to step the ISO down to an ultra-clean ISO32, or up to ISO12,800 in regular mode (and up to 51,200 in HI+2 mode). While image noise does show up in the higher ISO modes, it is so gradual that it doesn’t really matter given the amount of resolution--it is all but impossible to perceive any image noise when viewing photos at full size. This camera, like others that have debuted recently, does away with the anti-aliasing filter and the optical low pass filter (OLPF) making its sensor far more receptive to incoming light and resulting in truer colors and greater detail compared to the majority of today’s cameras that need to utilize these filters.
Like other cameras of its ilk, this one also stores in both NEF and JPEG formats. Full resolution JPEG files will range in size from about 18MB down to 3.2 MB depending on the compression chosen. While a full-resolution uncompressed 14-bit RAW image can weigh in at a hefty 73MB level, there is a special lower-resolution 12-bit uncompressed RAW mode that brings the per-shot image size down to about 28MB. This is an interesting mode to utilize if you want to retain the higher-quality advantages of RAW processing, while working faster with manageable file and image sizes.
Price: Rs 1,99,950 (body only)
On the video shooting front, this camera does a maximum of 1080p at 60fps. It also features stereo microphones, making it ideal as a primary video shooting system if you’re interested in nothing higher than HD video. The imaging processor does a fine job here too, controlling ISO, color and sharpness while shooting. You can also change aperture while recording, making for creative scenarios.
While a camera such as this aims to deliver on every front, there are a few minor areas that could have seen improvement. I’m nitpicking here, but given the range of feature this devices packs, accessing some of them can be a bit meticulous at times. For example, to use a smaller crop for the image sensor (the 1.5x DX mode, for example), you need to access the Menu and click through to the Shooting Menu and Image Area. Other such interesting modes are hidden within menus, which means knowing how to get there and spending time getting there each time you need to invoke them. Not all of these can be mapped to the function buttons on the camera body, which is a pity.
At a whisper under Rs 2 lacs, this is an all-out enthusiast/professional camera. It surpasses virtually all of its predecessors both in terms of capability and price, and raises the bar on many fronts; its best-of-class resolution, spot-on autofocus, ultra-quiet operation and responsive shooting speed. It is one of the few cameras out there that we can wholeheartedly recommend, no matter what the shooting requirement--from still life to wildlife to real life--the D810 is the current king of the hill.
What we liked: Excellent sensor resolution, fast and reliable autofocus, quiet operation, very low noise even at higher ISOs
What we didn’t: Some settings are cumbersome to access, the camera weighs in at almost a kilo which becomes noticeable during extended use
Govardhan Puja 2024: Shubh muhurat, rituals, significance of Annukut
Diwali 2024: Check Lakshmi Puja muhurat, timing, rituals for November 1
Ratan Tata's Will: Who will get Tata's beachfront Colaba residence, luxury car collection?
Mukesh Ambani, Nita Ambani live on 27th floor of Rs 15000 crore Antilia, know who all have access
Seven killed in Israel after Hezbollah targets Metula, Haifa, IDF pounds Lebanon, Syria
LPG prices to telecom rules: 5 major changes will come into effect today
Bank holiday on Diwali: Are banks open or closed on November 1? Check state-wise bank holiday list
Diwali muhurat trading session today: Know timing, significance and more
IND vs NZ: When, where to watch India vs New Zealand 3rd Test match live on TV and online
Meet IPS officer, who was an established athlete, later cracked UPSC with AIR...
IND vs NZ 3rd Test, Mumbai weather forecast: Will rain play spoilsport on Day 1 at Wankhede stadium?
Delhi residents defy firecracker ban, illuminate night sky with Diwali celebrations
'Since I've retired...': Rohit Sharma reacts after Mumbai Indians retain him for IPL 2025
Diwali 2024: How to get rid of acidity, bloating, constipation post Diwali binge?
IND vs NZ, 3rd Test Dream11 prediction: Fantasy cricket tips for India vs New Zealand match
IPL 2025: What is the remaining purse and RTM cards for all teams ahead of mega-auction?
Meet Indian man who secured job at Elon Musk's Tesla after sending...
'Isse zyada sundar...': Viral video captures aerial view of Diwali celebrations in Noida, WATCH
THIS company got richer by Rs 29878 crore on Diwali day due to...
Delhi's air quality deteriorates to 'very poor' category, likely to worsen after festival
IPL 2025: Rishabh Pant released by Delhi Capitals, CSK retains MS Dhoni as...
Meet woman, who quit NCPI as COO, now set to lead India's largest...
Viral: Businessman gifts Rs 1 crore Rolex watch to contractor for his...
Post-Diwali hangover? 5 easy tips to detox the liver
Pushpa 2: Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna share film's NEW poster to wish fans on Diwali
Gautam Adani's companies set to supply 6500 MW of power to THIS state
WTC 2023-25 points table update after South Africa clean sweep Bangladesh 2-0 in Test series
Meet woman, college dropout who earns Rs 1494000 monthly, works just 4 hours a day, she is...
Why KL Rahul decided to part ways with Lucknow Super Giants ahead of IPL 2025 retention deadline?
Sebi issues Rs 154 crore demand notices to Anil Ambani's companies, asks them to pay within...
IND vs NZ: Jasprit Bumrah to miss third India vs New Zealand Test? Report says star pacer is....
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder? Why it happens in winter?
New Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem open to truce with Israel, says, 'we accept but…’
BSNL continues to rise, deploys over 50000 4G sites with Tata Group company in India's most...
'Either this or nothing': Elderly couple dances at Mohit Chauhan's concert, WATCH viral video
'That's so cheap': Sana Makbul CRITICISES pap after he tells her 'mazze nahi aa rahe' in viral video
Indian, Chinese troops at LAC exchange Diwali sweets after border disengagement
Dawood Ibrahim was fan of this superstar, invited him for tea, confessed a murder to him, then…
NEET entrance 2025 exam to happen online? Here's what high-level panel suggests
Jadeja to enter IPL auction? CSK eying THIS star player as MS Dhoni's successor
Ratan Tata once surprised his dog trainer at Bombay VT: 'You hold the pup, I’ll take...'
Woman finds bundle of old Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes during Diwali cleaning, netizens call it...
IPL 2025: List of players set be retained on deadline day, CSK, RCB, MI will retain...
Kartik Aaryan says his film Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 doesn't need cameos: 'Hume humaari...'
Meet man, who secured AIR 2644 in JEE, did B.Tech from IIT Kanpur, has now started doing...
Noida: Stunning drone footage captures Diwali celebrations, watch viral video
Is stock market open or closed on Diwali? Know details here
Don’t Move on Netflix movie review: Psychological thriller with enjoyable moments
Cricketer Ben Stokes' house burgled by masked robbers, England captain shares harrowing details