Nikon confirms 36.3 megapixel D800, we go hands-on

Thirty six megapixels. That's the native resolution of Nikon's long-awaited FX-format digital SLR. The D800 was designed with all professional photographers in mind, but with 36.3-megapixel captures (yes, that also means 36.3 megapixels in RAW, or 15.4 in DX format), the Japanese camera maker's latest DSLR output is likely to far exceed the needs of many. It also limits low-light shooting capabilities -- the D800 is a full-frame camera, but even so, with a standard sensor capturing 36.3 megapixels, its high-ISO performance is unlikely to match the likes of the D4, or Canon's new 1D X. It's for this reason that Nikon limited the camera's top native sensitivity to ISO 6400, or 25,600 in Hi2 extended mode. Want to see more? Thumb through the gallery below and jump past the break for a closer look at the latest full-frame DSLR to hit the market.

Nikon D800

As you might expect, the D800 adopts many new features from the D4, while maintaining a smaller D700-like footprint. You get the same Advanced Scene Recognition System with 91k-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering III, 1080/30p HD video with 20 adjustable audio levels and uncompressed HDMI output, in-camera two-consecutive-shot HDR and Active D-Lighting. In addition to the difference in resolution (remember, more megapixels doesn't necessarily translate to better quality images), you also lose the D4's 2.7x crop mode, which effectively multiplies your focal length by 2.7, bringing you closer to your subject without the need to a longer lens or teleconverter.

Significantly smaller than the monstrous D4, the D800 isn't the most compact full-frame DSLR that Nikon's released to date. It's noticeably taller than the D700 (by roughly half an inch), with a higher pentaprism and smooth appearance. But a new body design isn't the only element differentiating the D800 from its predecessor. The camera offers excellent contrast-detection autofocus, allowing you to sharpen your subjects much more quickly while in live view. The D800 also offers video improvements, and lets you capture 29 minutes and 59 seconds in a single clip in normal quality mode. Because of the DSLR's larger footprint, you'll need to upgrade your grip along with the camera -- the MB-D12 attachment uses the same battery as the D4, and boosts the camera's burst mode from four frames per second to six in DX mode.

And what about price? The basic D800 will run you just shy of $3,000 -- without a lens, of course. Nikon is also offering a second version, called the D800E, that is expected to retail for $3,300. This model captures slighter finer detail and "enhanced" resolution by removing the low-pass filter. Without the low-pass filter, you're likely to notice moire, though a new setting in the Nikon Capture NX2 software will enable you to compensate without losing sharpness. We took a look at side-by-side images captured by the D800 and D800E, but weren't able to differentiate between the low-resolution samples. Nikon reps explained that the differences can be incredibly subtle, and are most distinguishable when capturing fine details, such as individual hairs in an uncompressed D800E image. If the mainstream version will suffice, you can pick up the D800 when it hits stores in late March, while the specialty "E" model will ship a few weeks later in mid-April.

Sharif Sakr and James Trew contributed to this report.