Nikon D800 Review - Does it Suck?

Blunty Bringin' the Nikon D800 review goodness to you in the only style he knows how... Blunty style.

Gallery of test & sample shots from this review & a few that didn't make it in can be found here;

for the Spec-hungry;
Features
▪ 36.3 effective megapixel full-frame (35.9 mm × 24 mm) sensor with ISO 100--6400 (ISO 50--25600 boost)
▪ Nikon Expeed 3 image processor
▪ Pop-up flash that doubles as a wireless flash controller
▪ 91,000 pixel RGB metering sensor with Advanced Scene Recognition System
▪ Advanced Multi-CAM3500FX auto-focus sensor (51-point, 15 cross-type)
▪ Image sensor cleaning
▪ 4 frames per second in continuous FX mode or 5:4 crop mode. 5 frames per second in continuous 1.2× crop mode or DX (APS-C) mode. With the optional MB-D12 battery grip, fitted with either the EN-EL18 battery pack of the D4 or AA batteries, continuous shooting at 6 frames per second in 1.2× crop or DX mode is supported.
▪ Buffer size for 17 RAW or 56 JPEG with maximum quality.
▪ Built-in HDR mode (2 frames up to 3EV apart)
▪ USB 3.0 connectivity
▪ 1080p Full HD movie mode at 24/25/30 fps, 720p at 24/25/30/50/60 fps, HDMI HD video output, stereo monitor headphone out, and stereo input (3.5-mm diameter) with manual sound level control.
▪ Shutter rated at 200,000 actuations
▪ Live View with either phase detect or improved contrast detect Auto Focus
▪ 'Active D-Lighting' with 6 settings and bracketing (adjusts metering and D-Lighting curve)
▪ Dual card slots, one CompactFlash UDMA and one SD UHS-I card slot (mirror, overflow, back-up, RAW on 1/JPEG on 2, Stills on 1/Movies on 2, copy)
▪ Weather sealing comparable to D700, but less robust than D4

[huepix]

Im more than happy with mine. As an old school "film" photographer 5frames per sec is about as good as any motor wind could do.
At times I have to turn the Mpix down. Never thought id do that!
But for portraits and land/city/sea scapes, totally untouchable. And as (quality) lenses only resolve to around 40 Mpix, this is really the end of the road as for as resolution goes.

[Vonstugensniner]

I'll never be able to get these cameras, but I still like watching the reviews.

[micahmedia]

Happened across this by accident. What on earth gave you the right to give such a sane and down to earth review? Seriously, keep it up. Good stuff.

[appleseedexm]

I really love how you do reviews and how you explain and talk about stuff. Awesome job, keep it up!

[BluntyTV]

I no longer have the unit, and I didn't have any macro lenses to test with, but yes, I expect it would make a superb tool for such a task.

[mcrazza]

I've read and watched quite a few reviews for the Nikon D800 and it was interesting to hear your thoughts on the D800 too. What I haven't seen in reviews of the D800 is about its application for macro photographers. The D800 (particularly the "E") would be perfect not just for landscape, portrait, studio etc photogs but also great for macro photogs too. Any chance of looking at macro photography with the D800 if you still have the review unit?

[BluntyTV]

Me too, to be honest. It was intended as a simple technical test of the high ISO, low light noise performance, it wound up being one of my favourite shots I took with the D800.

[rockfidi]

getting mine tomorrow, i was searching for some good videos about the cam ... i got infos before you know ... but ... this was the most usefull video i found ... thx ... good work!

[BluntyTV]

If you asking that, then you're simply looking at the wrong kind of camera for what you need to do. This isn't for home movies of the kids playing on the swingset charlie boy.

[RavindraGajjar]

It is a fantastic camera and i have been using it. The camera has very good and exceptionally surprising low light high ISO performance with literally minimal noise level. White Balance is a great issue and on camera LCD monitor does not reflect correct colors. On camera LCD cannot be correctly used as a reference monitor. Everything else is fine. The only fix to get true colors is using custom white balance. Video is very nice. Anti aliasing is required.

[BluntyTV]

Care to elaborate... do you think a higher continual shooting rate than 5fps isn't more desirable for sports and wildlife photographers? I'd love to hear your explanation on why.

[notyouraveragetuber]

Thank you for a level headed review. It's so hard to find rational assessments of competitive products. Folks get caught up in thrashing products for the pure sport of it. Thank you for sidestepping that silliness and getting on with showing what this camera can do it capable hands. Sometimes I wonder if reviewers actually like photos or just taking them. This is the ONLY review that spent MORE time showcasing actual IMAGES than pointing to different buttons on the camera. Keep it up!

[interceptorm]

Great review. And I think you are way to modest. Your shots prove that. They are absolutely brilliant. I also like your no-nonsense approach. You just scored another subscriber.

[SlickRoyalz]

shoot in RAW and when you put the files into photoshop, it will tell you what shutter speed and aperture you used. Then you can compare the settings and images using photoshop? Or just take a photo, note the settings, change the settings, take another photo, press the play button and compare the images on the camera? If you want to see what F-stop does, take photos of something up close, with other things in the background.

[JasonRStimpson]

Excellent I like the way you put it together. Quick and right to the point.

[PaoloFanali]

Practical and informative D800 review! Well done Blunty3000!

[erebusparcae]

thanks Blunty... i hope i'd see your opinion on it... meanwhile i'll wait for the prices to drop abit...

[BluntyTV]

I've been told a D3200 will be made available to me for review. I don't know when exactly.

[VizionZine]

I think my photography style is fairly similar to yours. I value convenience and portability over extreme megapixel count. I think my days of DSLRs are mostly over. I've pretty much gone over to mirrorless exclusively for just basic ease of use and movement. Although, I wouldn't mind picking up a K-30 for the weather sealing. Also, the only FF that has ever intrigued me has been the RX1 but the lack interchangeable lenses kind of kills it for me. I think my overall dream camera would be the GH3.

[Voxnulla]

Perhaps learning about those numbers and how these translate to the camera's mechanics and, subsequent, results is what you need to do then.