Full HD video quality and minimized rolling shutter effect: Dynamic movie shooting in diverse lighting situations
Many filmmakers, multimedia professionals and still photographers need the highly mobile, lightweight and compact form of a D-SLR in order to cover large events or make documentaries, music videos or movies. For these professionals, the D800 is ready to create true cinematic experiences. By using the B frame data compression method, you can record 1080p Full HD video at 30p in H.264/MPEG-4 AVC format with unmatched moving image integrity for up to 29 min. 59 seconds of recording in a single clip. Thanks to Nikon's latest image-processing optimizations, the monumental power of 36.3 megapixels transforms to sharp, exquisitely rendered videos. Expect exceptionally smooth gradation in blue skies, with minimum block noise and beautifully natural movement rendered clearly and sharply. The D800's intelligent image sensor reads out movie images at faster rates than ever, significantly reducing the rolling shutter distortion that can occur during panning shots or when shooting fast-moving lateral subjects like trains. Thanks to EXPEED 3, your movies will take on a distinctive look of their own, even with dimly lit scenes. Combine these benefits and you'll begin to realize exactly the new creative opportunities possible for photographers and cinematographers alike

Multi-area mode full HD D-Movie: Creative movie-making freedom in FX and DX based formats
The D800 is designed to stimulate cinematographers to explore different moods and perspectives by enabling Full HD and HD video recording in two frame formats; Nikon FX- and DX-based movie formats in just one camera. When using wide-aperture NIKKOR lenses, the large image area of the FX-based format renders exquisitely shallow depth of field with beautiful bokeh effects. The DX-based format uses an image area similar to 35mm movie film, allowing cinematographers to shoot with picture angles that they are accustomed to. Having the advantage of two D-Movie formats in one camera and an arsenal of NIKKOR lenses makes the D800 an incredibly versatile movie-making tool

Smoother video recording under fluorescent or mercury lamps: Auto flicker reduction
With the D800, it is easier than ever to reduce flicker effects during live view and video recording. Simply use auto in the flicker reduction menu to automatically identify the flicker frequency at the beginning of live view and switch to the one that will work best. You can also manually switch between 50 Hz and 60 Hz

View simultaneous live view output on external monitors and record uncompressed video via HDMI
During movie shooting, you can now simultaneously check videos on an external monitor using an HDMI connection, in addition to the camera's TFT monitor. And for those who need the purest video output for professional quality editing, you can now record uncompressed movie live view footage directly to an external storage device via HDMI interface

Comprehensive high-fidelity audio recording control
The D800 is designed for crisp stereo recording with a built-in external stereo microphone input. Attach the compact ME-1 Stereo Microphone to record clear sound while significantly reducing mechanical noise. An external headphone jack enables you to effectively monitor and control audio in isolation. While the audio level indicators offer visual confirmation of audio level, the microphone sensitivity can be controlled precisely in 20 incremental steps

Time-lapse photography
Capture a variety of scenes and subjects at a breathtaking pace. The D800's time-lapse photography lets you set intervals and frame rates in order to dramatically relay slow moving activity at dramatic speeds. The D800 allows you to shoot time-lapse photography with replaying rates from 24 times to 36,000 times faster than normal. Time-lapse photography files can be saved as a movie file

Versatile custom settings for D-Movie
The D800 has addressed useful feedback from videographers with convenient custom controls for D-Movie operation. Instead of rotating the command dial, power aperture enables smoother aperture controls during movie live view using a button designated via custom menu, which can be very convenient to confirm depth of field. Index marking helps you locate important frames for later-stage in-camera editing and replay by attaching markers during movie recording. Markings are indicated along with the timeline, which is easy to confirm visually

Precision 3.2" (8cm), 921k-dot, wide-viewing-angle LCD monitor with automatic monitor brightness control
The D800's large and sharp color LCD monitor delivers bright, crisp image playback with a much larger capacity for accurate color reproduction. Using an antireflective structure, you can count on clarity equal to that of the D4, even under bright conditions. Moreover, if monitor brightness is set to "Auto", the camera automatically adjusts LCD brightness according to the environmental lighting conditions measured by the ambient brightness sensor, allowing easy use of live view in both bright and low-lit places - very useful when shooting video and stills. The ability to magnify playback images up to 46x (Large-size images in FX format) is extremely helpful for spot focus confirmation

Fast response time
The D800 is designed to respond immediately. Once the strategically located switch is turned on, the camera starts up in approx. 0.12 seconds and your finger is in position for shutter release. Release time lag is minimized to approx. 0.042 seconds, equivalent to that of the D3S, with continuous approx. 4 fps capability in FX format, approx. 5 fps in 1.2x and DX format and 6 fps capability in DX format with MB-D12

High-precision sequential control mechanism
For true digital SLR excellence, the camera's mechanical structure, power and precision are vital to ensure indispensable speed and reliability. That's why Nikon utilized its engineering expertise to refine the powerful sequential control mechanism that drives the shutter, mirror, and aperture independently. As a result, shutter release can be operated with mirror-up position during live view. Because mirror-down movement is not required, you can expect even quieter still live view shooting. And as power aperture control operates via the stepping motor, the sound of mechanical adjustment is reduced for quieter and smoother control

High-speed CF and SD dual card slots
Card recording speed is yet another crucial element of a smooth and productive shooting experience. The D800 CF memory card slot is compatible with the latest UDMA 7. The SD card slot is compatible with SDXC (Secure Digital eXtended Capacity) and UHS-I. You can also use two cards simultaneously for a number of functions, such as recording JPEG and RAW data on separate cards, recording the same data simultaneously on two cards for backup and more

High-speed data transfer with USB 3.0
For a more productive tethered and transfer workflow, the D800 is compatible with USB 3.0. When connected to equipment featuring USB 2.0, speed is reduced to that of USB 2.0

High-precision, high-durability shutter
The D800's shutter unit has been tested to well over 200,000 cycles of release to prove durability and precision. While the shutter unit designed to run at a speed range of 1/8,000 to 30 seconds, its intelligent self-diagnostic shutter monitor automatically monitors actual shutter speeds in order to correct possible variances that can occur over time

Efficient power management
A comprehensive re-working of the D800's circuits now enables approximately 900 shots of still image shooting. All on one charge of an EN-EL15 rechargeable lithium-ion battery

MB-D12 multi-power battery pack (optional)
Attach the MB-D12 to the camera body to extend battery stamina. The pack accommodates a variety of batteries (see specifications) and utilizes the same integral magnesium alloy construction and weather sealing as the D800 body itself. You also get approximately 6 fps continuous shooting speed in DX format. The MB-D12 has its own dedicated shutter-release button and command dials for vertical composition shooting

Direct access to Picture Control
Customize the look of your stills and videos through Picture Controls by fine-tuning parameters such as sharpening, saturation, and hue. The D800 now allows you to access Picture Control instantly and directly from a dedicated button rather than entering the menu. When live view shooting, you can visually confirm how customized Picture Control settings will look and easily adjust the parameters

Choosing AF mode and AF-area mode combinations
Control your desired AF mode (continuous or single servo) and AF-area mode (single-point, dynamic area, 3D-tracking or auto area AF) without ever taking your eye away from the viewfinder. By using a dedicated AF-mode button and command dials, you can switch between modes without interrupting your creative flow

Four-button layout and release mode dial on the camera's top deck
Important camera settings can be controlled and adjusted from buttons placed on the top deck. Along with dedicated buttons for ISO, white balance and image quality, a new bracketing button has been strategically placed to aid such features as HDR. In addition, the release mode dial also improves mode visibility and operability

Shoot achieving reduced blur with zoom lenses in dim light: Auto shutter speed control for auto ISO sensitivity control
The D800 comes equipped with an auto option for minimum shutter speed that automatically controls the balance between shutter speed and the ISO sensitivity based on the focal length of the lens being used. This can be particularly useful when using a zoom lens, because the camera can automatically choose the shutter speed to reduce camera shake. What's more, through the operation of ISO button and sub-command dial, auto ISO sensitivity control can be immediately turned on or off, without needing to enter the menu

Accurate confirmation of level shooting: Dual-axis electronic virtual horizon
With the D800, you can always check the LCD monitor or the viewfinder for both the camera's position in relation to the horizontal plane and its pitch (forward or rear rotation). This can enhance compositional accuracy, particularly when shooting still life, landscapes, and architecture

Shoot with multiple formats in one camera: Image area options
The D800 offers four image area options: FX format (35.9 x 24.0mm), 5:4 (30.0 x 24.0mm), 1.2x (30.0 x 19.9mm), and DX format (23.4 x 15.6mm) with all cropped image areas visually masked in the viewfinder. DX format offers approx. 1.5x, and 1.2x crop offers approx.1.2x telephoto effect. When a DX NIKKOR lens is used, DX format is automatically selected

Refined color temperature control: Minute control over white balance
The D800's white balance proves its reliability even when using an external flash and live view in the studio environment. The monitor hue of live view and resulting image's white balance can be individually set so that the difference between the two is minimized. Furthermore, for even more control, color temperature can be manually set in 10-kelvin increments or in mired units

Image enhancement options: In-camera editing
Captured images and movies can be altered and edited in-camera and on the fly if required, all without the need to resort to a computer. Retouch menus include an array of useful features such as NEF (RAW) processing, resize, distortion control, fisheye, miniature effect, red-eye correction, filter effects and image overlay, as well as the ability to designate the start and end point of movie clips all at once, in order to save them more efficiently

ViewNX 2: Browse, edit, share, and more
This bundled, all-in-one software implements an easy-to-use interface for all your photos and movies. Take advantage of an array of editing functions, including basic editing of RAW files and even D-Movies. ViewNX 2 also works effortlessly with Nikon's photo-sharing and storage service, my Picturetown, with labels to help you find that special photo quickly and easily

Camera Control Pro 2 (optional): Extremely versatile remove camera controls
For those that want to operate their camera via computer, Camera Control Pro 2 lets you control camera settings and various features from a distance. Aside from controlling exposure mode, shutter speed, and aperture, the software now offers numerous improvements to make the D800's live view operation exceptionally smooth. Creative control opportunities include remote start and stop for movie shooting and switching between live view for stills and movies. You can also adjust the monitor hue of live view photography and the resulting image's white balance individually, which can be quite helpful when working in the studio. You can also display audio level indicators during movie shooting. And with the optional Wireless Transmitter WT-4A/B/C/D/E, image files can be transferred using either Wi-Fi or an Ethernet connection