see also:

• Nikon F dSLR system
• Nikon D800 dSLR
• Nikon D850 full frame dSLR
• Nikon D4 sports dSLR
• Canon 5D Mark III dSLR
• Nikon D600 full frame dSLR
• 35mm full frame digital SLR cameras compared
• dpreview.com's preview

• announced in June 2014, this 36mp full frame camera is a minor upgrade to both the Nikon D800 dSLR and the D800E, both of which it will replace
• in Feb 2015, Nikon announced the Nikon D810A dSLR designed for astrophotography which is essentially a D810 with:
  • modified IR-cut filter to ensure the camera can capture light emitted by nebulae - more able to capture the Hydrogen Alpha spectral line (656nm)
  • additional features to support long exposure photography:
    • Long Exposure M mode that provides selectable shutter speeds from 4 to 900 sec (15 minutes) - similar to the Olympus Timed BULB mode
    • a virtual exposure preview in bulb and time settings, similar to Olympus Live Time mode
    • a dark frame subtraction mode (called ‘astro noise reduction’ in Raw) - and I thought all cameras had this already!
    • red virtual horizon, so as not to interfere with night vision
    • ability to dim the viewfinder’s OLED
  • RRP $US3800

• the Nikon D800 dSLR had some reasonable HD video capabilities but these had become antiquated by 2014 with Panasonic and Sony both releasing 4K HD video cameras well under the price of the D800.
• the D810, although improving upon the capabilities of the D800 is still stuck at max. 1080/60p video and no where near the capability of the Panasonic GH4 4K video stills camera which is half the price.

• 36mp full frame pro dSLR
• only 5fps burst mode (only 4fps in D800) but can get 7fps in DX mode with battery grip and batteries
  • unlimited continuous shooting (previously 100-frame limit on D800)
• no anti-alias filter (OLPF)
• base ISO has been lowered while max. ISO has been raised, becoming the 1st camera to give a range of ISO of 32-51,200
• built-in flash
• shutter 30sec - 1/8000th sec, x-sync 1/250th sec
• 25% faster operation
• slightly improved AF
  • 51-point AF system with new 'Group Area AF' mode (inherited from Nikon D4s sports dSLR)
  • 'Group Area AF' mode allows 5 AF points to act together
• HD video improved:
  • to 1080/60p - only 30p in D800
  • zebra strips for focus checking
  • uncompressed HDMI output with simultaneous recording to memory card
  • built-in stereo microphone (only mono in D800)
  • power aperture available while shooting video to SD/CF card (compared to only when using HDMI in the D800)
  • ability to record to memory card while simultaneously outputting video over HDMI
  • new 'flat' Picture Control mode (intended for videographers who need broader dynamic range)
• electronic first curtain shutter to reduce vibration
• redesigned mirror mechanism to reduce vibration
• new 'RAW Size S' 9MP Raw mode
• Expeed 4 processor
• 3.2in 1,229k-dot RGBW LCD screen (only 921K in D800)
• improved Scene Recognition System allows face detection in OVF mode
• auto ISO available in manual exposure mode
• USB 3.0
• optional WiFi
• EN-EL15 lithium-ion battery
• 980 g (2.16 lb / 34.57 oz)
• 146 x 123 x 82 mm (5.75 x 4.84 x 3.23″)
• optional GPS via GP-1 or GP-1A

• dpreview.com first impressions