The Ultimate Guide to Nikon D810: Features, Specs and Tips for Stunning Photography

Nikon D810 is a powerful DSLR camera that has taken the photography industry by storm. With its outstanding features and specifications, this camera is perfect for both professionals and amateurs alike. But before you invest in a Nikon D810, you need to know what to expect from it. This guide will give you a comprehensive view of the Nikon D810, including its features, specifications, and photography tips.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Nikon D810 article cover photo

Key Features

Jun 26 2014

Announced

36 megapixels

Resolution

BrandNikon
Sensor TypeFull frame
SensorCMOS
Weight980g
MSRP$3299USD

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Overview of the D810

Nikon D810 is a game-changer in the world of digital photography. It is a full-frame 36.3-megapixel camera that is renowned for its exceptional image quality, rich colors, and extensive dynamic range. The Nikon D810 is a versatile camera that can be used for a wide range of photography genres, including landscapes, portraits, and action shots. In this blog post, we'll dive deep into the features and specifications of the Nikon D810, and explore some photography tips to help you capture stunning images with this camera. Whether you're an amateur or a professional photographer, you'll find useful information in this guide that will take your photography to the next level.

Nikon D810 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Nikon D810 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

High resolution sensor (36 megapixel)
Good image quality
Excellent dynamic range
Robust build quality
Large ISO range (64-12800)
Fast autofocus system
Dual memory card slots
Tilting LCD screen
Good battery life
Full-frame camera

Cons

Heavy and bulky
Expensive price tag
No built-in Wi-Fi or GPS
Limited video capabilities
Slow continuous shooting speed
No touchscreen controls
Limited lens selection for autofocus
Limited buffer depth for continuous shooting

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Nikon D810

Weather sealed
Dimensions146 x 123 x 82mm
Weight980g
Thickness82mm
Weight
Min
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Max
Thickness
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Weather Sealing

The Nikon D810 camera is equipped with environmental seals that make it resistant to weather, preventing water and dust from entering the camera. If you enjoy outdoor photography and need a camera that can handle extreme conditions, the D810 is an excellent choice.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderOptical (pentaprism)
Screen TypeFixed Type
Screen Resolution1,229k dots
Body typeMid-size SLR

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 3.20" screen, with a display resolution of 1,229k dots. This makes the Nikon D810 not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. Unfortunately, the camera does not have a touch screen, which may make it less user-friendly.

Viewfinder

D810 includes a optical (pentaprism) viewfinder with no electronic viewfinder of resolution with a coverage of 100% and a magnification of 0.7x. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Nikon D810 has a 36MP sized CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 36 pixels. Nikon D810 has a native ISO range of 64 - 12800 which can be boosted to 32 - 51200. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Jun 26 2014

Announced

64 - 12800

ISO Range

SensorFull frame
Extended ISO32 - 51200
Max resolution7360 x 4912 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

97 / 102

Color Depth

25.7 / 26.5

Dynamic Range

14.8 / 14.8

Low Light ISO

2853 / 4505

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Nikon D810 camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain medium amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is below average, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the D810 is excellent

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: Full frame

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC/SDXC, CompactFlash (UDMA compliant)
Battery Life1200 shots
Battery ModelEN-EL15
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Nikon D810 supports SD/SDHC/SDXC, CompactFlash (UDMA compliant) with 2 slots for storage. Having dual SD card slots on the Nikon D810 is highly advantageous as it mitigates the risk of losing footage due to memory card malfunctions. This feature is particularly beneficial for wedding photography and other professional settings.

Battery

The Nikon D810 uses the EN-EL15 model of battery pack. This is rated for 1200 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Nikon D810 has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. It also offers a flash shoe that allows you to attach external flashes. This provides more versatility in your lighting choices.

Shutter

The Nikon D810 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/8000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Nikon D810 includes phase detection autofocus (AF), with 51 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Nikon D810?

The Nikon D810 features a CMOS sensor

Is the Nikon D810 weather sealed?

Yes the D810 does have weather sealing.

When was the Nikon D810 announced?

The Nikon D810 was announced on Jun 26 2014

Does the Nikon D810 have in-body image stabilization?

No the D810 does not have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Nikon D810?

The D810 has a native ISO range of 64-12800, which can be expanded to ISO 32-51200 for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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