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Nikon has announced a HD-SLR for professional photographers and cinematographers. The new Nikon D810 boasts at 36.3-megapixel full-frame FX-format CMOS image sensor with a 7360 x 4912 resolution and no optical low pass filter (OLPF), which helps overall resolution and dynamic range. An EXPEED 4 image processor suppresses false color and moiré, enhances noise reduction performance, and helps to achieve a higher ISO range. An Advanced Scene Recognition System with a 91,000-pixel 3D Color Matrix Meter III adjusts “exposure, AF, auto white balance, i-TTL flash control, and subject tracking” to balance exposure in “difficult scenes.”

Nikon has added a “Clarity” setting to the available Picture Control adjustments as well as a “Flat” Picture Control Profile. Clarity is designed to “adjust mid tones to enhance details with in an image.” And Flat is designed for cinematographers who want to “preserve the most amount of detail in shadows and highlights”, effectively giving filmmakers maximum flexibility in post processing (digital color grading).

Speaking of film production, Nikon’s D810 is much more than a still camera. It offers Full 1080p HD video recording at 24, 30 and 60 fps. There’s also a couple “crop modes” for a quick telephoto boost. The camera’s HDMI output can “relay uncompressed digital video to an external recorder.” There’s also an in-camera time-lapse and interval timer, as well as a built-in stereo microphone with audio control features (external stereo mics can also be attached). Full time AutoFocus is available, as well as Full Manual controls, including an expanded ISO range of 64 (native) – 12,800 (expandable to ISO 32 – 51,200). Lastly, there are Zebra Stripes and Highlight weighted metering options to prevent overexposure.

The Nikon D810 also features a high resolution (1229K dot) 3.2-inch LCD screen with Split Screen Display Zoom (to ensure precise focus), 5 frames-per-second burst shooting at full resolution (and up to 7 fps in a reduced 15.4MP resolution crop modes), the option to shoot 14-bit RAW/NEF or in Raw Size Small file formats, and an enhanced Multi-Cam 3500-FX AF (AutoFocus) sensor module for enhanced focal accuracy and precision.

Finally, Nikon will offer the free Nikon Capture NX-D image processing software for RAW, JPEG, and TIFF files.

Nikon D810 DSLR Features:

• 36.3-megapixel full-frame FX-format CMOS image sensor
  • 7360×4912 resolution
  • no optical low pass filter (OLPF)
• EXPEED 4 image processing engine
  • ISO 64-12,800
  • expandable to 32 (Lo-1) to 51,200 (Hi-2)
  • Advanced Scene Recognition System
  • 91K-pixel 3D Color Matrix Meter III
  • New “Clarity” setting added to Picture Controls
• 3.2-inch high-resolution (1229K-dot) LCD screen
  • Split Screen Display Zoom
• Full HD 1920 x 1080 video @ 60/30/24p
  • FX and DX crop modes
  • Flat Picture Control Profile
  • Uncompressed HDMI output
  • In-camera time-lapse and interval timer
  • Built-in stereo microphone with audio control
  • Expanded ISO for video
  • 64-12,800
  • Auto-ISO
  • 200-51,200 in manual mode
  • Zebra Stripes
  • Highlight weighted metering
  • Full manual control
  • Full time AF (AutoFocus)
  • Compatible with 80 NIKKOR lenses
  • Enhanced Multi-Cam 3500-FX AF sensor
• 5 frames-per-second burst shooting at full resolution
  • Up to 7fps @ 15.4MP
• 14-bit RAW/NEF
• 12-bit RAW Size Small
• Durable magnesium alloy structure
• Nikon Capture NX-D Software

The Nikon D810 DSLR will be available in late July (2014) with a $3299.95 MSRP. The Nikon Capture NX-D software suite will be available mid-July for no additional cost.