Nikon D800/D800E (2012)
A high-resolution DSLR camera officially announced on February 7, 2012, and released in late March 2012.
Overview
The Nikon D800 and D800E are full-frame DSLR cameras introduced in 2012, featuring a 36.3MP FX-format CMOS sensor. They were officially announced on February 7, 2012, and became available in late March of that year. The D800E is identical to the D800 except for the absence of an anti-aliasing filter, allowing for sharper image detail. Marketed as a high-performance tool for outdoor, nature, and landscape photography, the D800 series offered significantly more resolution than many contemporary models. A later user noted a deliberate upgrade from the D800 to the Nikon D850, indicating its role in a progression of professional gear.
Specifications
| Exact product name | Nikon D800/D800E |
| Manufacturer | Nikon |
| Product type | DSLR camera |
| Resolution | 36.3MP |
| Sensor size | 36x23.9mm, FX (full film frame) |
| Sensor type | FX-format CMOS image sensor |
| ISO range | 100–6400 (expandable to 50–25600 equivalent) |
| Announcement date | February 7, 2012 |
| Market release | Late March 2012 |
| Original price (US) | $2999.95 |
| Original price (UK) | £2399 |
| D800E availability | Mid-April 2012 |
Design
The Nikon D800E differs from the D800 only in the removal of the anti-aliasing filter, with both models sharing the same optical assembly and core construction. This design choice allows the D800E to deliver marginally higher sharpness while keeping production costs low—reflected in a $300 price difference between the models.
Context
The D800 was positioned as a benchmark in high-resolution DSLR performance, offering clean, crisp images across a wide ISO range and enabling new creative flexibility for photographers. It marked the beginning of Nikon’s D800 series lineup and was claimed to be the same core camera as other Nikon models, though with fewer autofocus controls than earlier versions. It set a new standard for precision photography in outdoor and landscape applications.
Market
The D800 has developed a secondhand market with reported prices ranging from $400 to $1000, depending on condition and region. Known issues include potential oil splatter on the sensor similar to the D600, failure of the 10-pin connector that can recede into the body, memory card-related malfunctions (particularly in the D800E), and occasional defective components requiring service or replacement.
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