Don't expect spectacular results without tweaking, and noise at high ISOs is definitely an issue. In the end, however, your photos will be worth the effort.

36.3-megapixel full-frame DSLR; Records full HD 1080p videos; Has more options than you possibly imagine

Expensive and heavy; Noisy at higher ISOs; Definitely for serious shutterbugs

At 36 megapixels the Nikon D800 ($2,999.95 list, body only) is not only the company's highest-resolution camera -it's the highest-resolution camera you can find anywhere without moving up to digital medium format.

Excellent high ISO performance; High-resolution full-frame sensor; Fast focus and performance; Excellent viewfinder

Slower to focus in Live View; Must initiate autofocus manually during video recording

In many ways, the D800 had a difficult act to follow in the 12MP D700, which was (and remains) one of the best all-rounders of any DSLR we've ever used. The demand of some Nikon users for a higher resolution model notwithstanding, there was not a whole lot we'd have wanted to see change in an...

Class-leading image resolution at 36.3 MP (with the D800E offering slightly superior resolution; Outstanding high ISO performance in both JPEG and Raw files; High quality JPEG images at default settings (with the D800E offering slightly superior detail; Wide dynamic range Raw files; Consistently...

Relatively slow 4 fps continuous shooting in FX mode (6 fps with optional battery grip in DX mode; Slow AF in live view and video modes (compared to phase-detection; Rear LCD prone to glare in bright sunlight; despite new design; Fine detail in live view magnifications can be prone to artifacts,...

Pros : Rugged build; Excellent controls; Extremely high resolution; Dual cards; Surprising high ISO performance.

Solid build; Excellent controls; positioned well; 51-point AF; Extremely high resolution; Excellent image quality; Excellent dynamic range; Surprising high ISO performance; DX crop mode produces 15.4-megapixel images; Automatic CA reduction; Optional Vignette and Distortion correction (for most D

Camera may capture too much detail for some; Resolution makes focus; lens quality and technique more critical; File sizes are extremely large (though there are options to reduce them at reduced quality; Auto and Incandescent White Balance too warm indoors; Somewhat slow autofocus for a professional

With an astounding 36.3MP sensor, uncompressed video output over HDMI, and full frame sensor, the D800 has become a top contender for the best DSLR for video on the market today.

Full frame sensor; Convenient button placement and functions; 36.3MP photographs; Manual audio controls; Dual card slots; Uncompressed video via HDMI port

Small grip; Slow still image shooting speed

Of course, you risk color flaws, but testers rarely see any, and even then they aren't really noticeable. DPReview.com and other top sources recommend the D800E just as highly as the D800, especially for portrait photographers who can work at the optimal apertures.

Unheard-of resolution; Outstanding images; even in low light; Dual CF/SD card slots; Sharp HD video

Many complaints of faulty left autofocus; Slow burst shooting; Behemoth full-res files gobble memory; Clunky user settings

Promising extremely high-resolution images, the Nikon D800 doesn't disappoint; better yet, its high-ISO performance surprised us, able to produce a good 8 x 10-inch print even at ISO 25,600. Well-designed and built, the Nikon D800 is a premium performer that easily earns its selling price.

Solid build; Excellent controls; positioned well; 51-point AF; Extremely high resolution; Excellent image quality; Excellent dynamic range; Surprising high ISO performance; DX crop mode produces 15.4-megapixel images; Automatic CA reduction; Optional Vignette and Distortion correction (for most D

Camera may capture too much detail for some; Resolution makes focus; lens quality and technique more critical; File sizes are extremely large (though there are options to reduce them at reduced quality; Auto and Incandescent White Balance too warm indoors; Somewhat slow autofocus for a professional

The Nikon D800 is a fantastic all-rounder capable of producing jaw-dropping results on both photography and video fronts. Outstanding stuff from Nikon.

The camera controls you'll need most are neatly located within easy reach when you're prepping your shots; Buttons on top for shooting speed, ISO and white balance ensures you've got everything you need at your fingertips and within easy reach.

The large images taken by the NIkon D800 can be a strain on lower-specced computer set-ups; even your higher-end desktop or laptop will have its work cut out juggling photo editing working with photos taken by the Nikon D800.

The Nikon D800 is a beast of a camera, an extraordinarily high-resolution anachronism dropped into a supposedly post-megapixel world . The 36.3-megapixel sensor of the D800 defines it; it is the camera's greatest asset, making it one of the most flexible, enjoyable cameras we've ever shot with.

Expansive 36.3-megapixel resolution gives amazing flexibility; Solid handling and ergonomics while shooting; Plenty of manual control makes rapid adjustments easy

Left side AF issues are real and troublesome

In many ways the Nikon D800 doesn't feel like a natural upgrade to the D700, but rather a new line in Nikon's full-frame DSLR line-up.