Handling & ease of use:
The body of the D700 is a development of the semi-pro D300, offering a solid and robust package in a lighter and smaller design than the flagship D3. Weighing 995g, it's a relatively heavy bit of kit, but the large rubberised handgrip and panels around the body ensure a firm hold. The design of the control layout is virtually identical to the tried and tested set-up found on other semi-pro and pro models, so current Nikon users will feel right at home with the D700. Those new to the Nikon system but with experience of using digital SLRs won't take long to find all the key controls, and while some buttons are marked with icons rather than words, it shouldn't take long to find your way around the camera. A clever touch is the main control on the left side of the top-plate, which allows you to quickly set the ISO rating, White Balance, image quality and frame advance with minimal fuss, using the LCD panel on the right side behind the shutter button to check your settings. Despite the very comprehensive list of features, this is a relatively easy camera to use for almost anyone with a good level of SLR experience.
As with all DSLRs featuring a full-frame sensor, the viewfinder has a large, bright screen. It offers 95% coverage, provides exposure information along the bottom and has an eyepiece blind as well as dioptric correction.
The 3in LCD monitor is excellent and its large, sharp display, with 920,000 dots, helps speed up the process of using the camera. When reviewing images, it's easy to magnify and check sharpness, as it is to navigate the menu and set functions. My only niggle with handling is that when reviewing images using the four-way control, rather than moving from one image to the next, it's easy to switch to the histogram info screen in error. Other than that, the D700 handles brilliantly and ease of use is very good considering its wealth of features.

Features:
The D700 is essentially a D3 stripped of a few features but still based around the core elements that has made Nikon's pro model so popular and successful.
At its heart is the 12.1-megapixel FX-format CMOS sensor, which finally brought 'full-frame' digital SLR photography to Nikon users last year, and offers the option to switch to DX-format shooting when DX-lenses are attached.
Exposure modes are limited to the core four (Program, aperture-priority, shutter-priority and manual), but is backed up by an extensive metering system. The 1005-pixel RGB sensor provides 3D Colour Matrix metering, as well as spot (4% area) and centre-weighted average, along with i-TTL flash control. It also boasts Nikon's Scene Recognition System, which processes additional exposure information to deliver better colour reproduction. In terms of colour and tonal control, the D700 offers four Picture Controls: Standard, Vivid, Neutral and Monochrome, as well as the option to create Custom settings for future use in similar shooting situations.
The EXPEED processor is the engine of the D700, handling 14-bit A/D conversion and 16-bit image processing at high speed, to allow images to be captured at up to five frames-per-second, or with the optional MB-D10 battery pack, at up to 8fps. With a 51-point autofocus system that offers a number of sophisticated options, the D700 aims to appeal as much to action photographers requiring speed and precision as to those looking for the superior quality promised by a larger sensor.
The D700 features an integral flash, which offers a wide range of modes and has a Guide Number of 17 (ISO 200, m). The ISO range of 200-6400 can be extended to go lower to ISO 100 and more impressively, can be raised all the way up to ISO 25,600. 
With VR (Vibration Reduction) available on an increasing number of lenses, it's no surprise that the D700 has no body-integral image stabilisation. However, it does offer an Image Sensor Cleaning function to help reduce the risk of dust settling on the sensor. A PC socket on the front allows direct linkage to a studioflash system, while below it is the multi-pin terminal for an electronic remote release. With a wealth of other features on offer, there is little doubt that the D700 has more than enough to cater for the most demanding of enthusiasts, as well as the majority of professionals.

Performance:
Boasting the same FX-format sensor as the D3 and incorporating several key components found on the D300 and D3, such as the AF system, 1005-pixel RGB sensor and the EXPEED processor, there was little doubt that the D700 would deliver. So it's no surprise to reveal that the D700 hasn't disappointed, delivering a class-leading level of performance that will impress all but the most critical of judges. .
From the first moment you use it, you realise that this is a refined working tool that has been designed with one aim in mind, to deliver top quality results while at the same time being easy to operate and a pleasure to use. As mentioned earlier, it's easy to use considering the depth of specification it offers. It's also extremely quick, with a near-instant start-up time (0.12sec) and shutter lag (40 milliseconds), which when combined with the fast and responsive AF and efficient processing,  ensures the whole picture-taking process is handled smoothly.
The Matrix meter is near-faultless with ambient and flash exposures, with strong backlighting proving to be the only real situation it struggles with. The AF system works brilliantly at locking on quickly to static subjects, even in low light, while it performs well with moving subjects, especially when used with fast (f/2.8) lenses. As for image quality, the shots shown in this test and throughout the issue (check the Beginner's Guide for more) are an indication of how sharp images from the D700 can be, and also how well tonal and colour reproduction, including skin tones, are recorded. Where it impresses most is the lack of noise: even at ISO 200, it isn't a rel concern. Finally, what particularly impressed me is just how enjoyable the D700 is to use – everyone who had the chance to use our test sample had nothing but total praise for how it handles and the quality of the images it produces.

BUILD QUALITY:
The chassis, mirror box and exterior cover is made of tough, durable magnesium-alloy. The D700 also has several O-rings and seals to protect from moisture, dust and electromagnetic interference.

AUTOFOCUS SYSTEM:
The D700 boasts the same 51-point AF system used in the D300 and D3 and is controlled by the Multi-CAM 3500DX autofocus module. The array includes 15 cross-type sensors and the system can be used with one, nine, 21 or all 51 focusing points active.

INFO BUTTON:
This handy button offers fast access via the LCD monitor to functions such as Active D-Lighting and Noise Reduction, as well as assigning functions to certain buttons.

TEST VERDICT
The D700 represents a new market sector for Nikon and one that is currently occupied by only one other full-frame DSLR, the Canon EOS 5D. The D700 is better in literally every department, which is understandable considering the EOS 5D is three years old. However, it may not dominate this sector for long, as rumours of a replacement for the ageing Canon appearing at the Photokina show in late September continue to circulate. Until then however, there is little doubt that this is easily the best DSLR under £2,000. In fact only the Nikon D3 offers a comparable performance. The only negative that we can throw at it at present is the price – 
at £2,000 it's out of the reach of many enthusiasts and we think shaving off around £250 would make it a far more attractive proposition. It's possible that the price will drop before Christmas, especially if a new rival from Canon is announced, but even if not, there is little doubting the pedigree of the Nikon D700. Quite simply, it's absolutely superb.

Handling & Ease of use: 23/25
Features: 224/25
Performance: 24/25
Value for money: 22/25
FINAL SCORE: 93/100

Model: NIKON D700
contact: 0800 230220, www.nikon.co.Uk
Guide Price (RRP): £2,000 (body only)
 Sensor type: CMOS (FX-Format)
Resolution (effective pixels): 12.1
Max. image resolution (pixels): 4256x2832
Focal length increase: 1x (FX-Format), 1.5x (dx-format)
Number of AF points: 51
Multi-zone metering zones: 1005 pixels
ISO rating: 200-6400 (lo:100;hi:25600)
Card format: CF
Raw + JPEG: Yes
Shutter speedS: 1/8000sec-30sec+Bulb
built-in flash: yes
Flash sync: 1/320
Shake reduction: VR lenses only
Dust reduction: Yes
Continuous frame rate: 5fps
LCD monitor: 3in
POWER SOURCE: Lithium-ion
Size (MM): 147x123x77
Weight (grams): 995