Nikon launches 12MP $3K full-frame DSLR

By John Mello on July 1, 2008 5:19 PM

What's been buzz fodder for weeks finally became an entrée today when Nikon announced its new D700 digital SLR. The new 12.1 megapixel model has an FX-format sensor measuring 23.9 x 36 millimeters. By comparison, a 35mm film camera has a frame size of 24 x 36mm. Features found in the new D700 include:

Nikon's EXPEED image processing system.
A 51-point autofocus system with 3-D focus tracking.
Two Live View shooting modes.
An ISO range of 200 to 6400, with an expanded range of ISO 100 to 25,600.
Sequential shooting speeds of up to eight frames a second at full resolution.
A self-cleaning system using four distinct vibration frequencies.
Compatibility with next-generation high-speed UDMA CompactFlash cards which can record data at 35 megabytes per second.
A three-inch LCD with VGA resolution of 920,000 dots and 170 degree viewing angle.

The D700 is scheduled to go on sale at the end of this month for an estimated selling price of $2999.95 for the body only.