Nikon D700 or D700x or D3 or D3X

[PPPPPP]

There is a lot of choice in top end cameras, and increasing all the time eg Canon 5dMk11.

Here is a link to a thread on AV Forums on the Nikon oferings. What do people here think? Which one would you favour if you could only have one.

http://www.avforums.com/forums/digital-cameras-pho...

[GetCarter]

If I was being given one then I'd have the D3X. (who wouldn't?)

If it was my money I'd have the D3 and buy the D3X when it just over half the price (18 months?)

[_dobbo_]

Depends on far too many factors to give an easy answer. What equipment do you already own?

If I was starting from scratch and my budget was sufficient to cover a D3x, I'd buy a 5d mkII and a couple of L lenses with the change.

Right now the D700 looks like the best choice as I have a fair investment in Nikon glass, what the D3x offers doesn't make it worth 3x the D700 for me.

[Simpo Two]

They're all 'full frame' so no difference there.

D700: 12.3Mp, outstanding low noise
D3: 12.3Mp, outstanding low noise, some extra 'pro' features, bigger and heavier

The 'x' versions have roughly double the resolution, no doubt with some noise trade-off. They will command large premiums.

So you have to decide if you really want/need 24Mp, and if not, save some money and stay with the D700 or D3. Of those two, decide which is most important, the extra pro features of the D3 or the lighter more compact D700. I believe the AF and metering systems of all four are the same.

[PPPPPP]

Simpo Two said:

They're all 'full frame' so no difference there.

D700: 12.3Mp, outstanding low noise
D3: 12.3Mp, outstanding low noise, some extra 'pro' features, bigger and heavier

The 'x' versions have roughly double the resolution, no doubt with some noise trade-off. They will command large premiums.

So you have to decide if you really want/need 24Mp, and if not, save some money and stay with the D700 or D3. Of those two, decide which is most important, the extra pro features of the D3 or the lighter more compact D700. I believe the AF and metering systems of all four are the same.

Good summary - the D700 is clearly a compelling package. And if a 700x comes around and it is sufficiently different (meaning more money!), it should be quite easy to trade on the D700 to someone who wants to migrate to full frame.

Currently I have an F4 and quite a few lenses

Edited by PPPPPP on Wednesday 3rd December 18:22

[Olivero]

Just to put a spanner in the works...
I went for a D700 (with grip) over the D3. The extra things it can make it a better package. I found it much better to hold than the D3. Think I would wait until the D800 comes out before I would think of upgrading the body.