So many are awaiting an announcement from Nikon related to their next best thing, but let’s face it, the Nikon D810 is a pretty incredible camera that more than meets the needs of many professional photographers all over the world. That being said, why should I even consider upgrading to whatever Nikon decides to replace the D810 with?
One could say that it took Nikon nearly one hundred years to develop such a capable camera (analog shooters take it easy on me). Like with many things digital, comparing the D810 to its predecessor of 20 years prior feels a little like comparing the ISS to my childhood back-yard fort (which was also equipped with an array of important science stuff).
It's no secret that I've fallen in love with my D810. Taking into consideration the type of photography I shoot most (ninety percent of which is portrait and wedding still-photography), the D810 with its 36.3 MP files, cranks out stunning images as long as I do my part and has no problem tackling my photographic needs without complaint. So, what would make me do back-flips and upgrade to the D820, or whatever they’re going to call it?
At this point, nothing is prodding me to ditch my D810. When released onto the market in 2014, it retailed for right around $3,400. You can currently purchase a D810 for less than $2000, which is a smoking deal considering I paid well over a thousand dollars more than that on my own. Can it be beat for $1900? That's debatable, and if so, why spend so much more on whatever it's replaced by?
Rumor has it that the D810 will be discontinued in 2017, but I can't comment on the validity of that rumor. Such a move would however, force perspective D810 buyers into spending more on its replacement. Let's just hope it's spectacular if that's the case.
If I were a decision maker at Nikon, I’d be hesitant to replace anything as good as the D810 with anything less than amazing, especially since they’ve announced such great financial losses recently. Assuming that one of those decision makers stumbles upon this article and reads the comments, what are your thoughts on a D810 replacement? What direction would you like to see Nikon head with their future line of DSLR's? Has DSLR technology plateaued?
I care A LOT about the D810 replacement...the reason is simple: it will cause a huge price drop for used D810 bodies, and then I will be able to buy one for my personal bag. I recall how the prices on used D3, D3s, and D4 bodies plummeted after the release of the D5, and the same will be true when the D820 is released. Still, I know it will be a while, so I've been using my personal budget to acquire glass instead.
I am new to FStoppers but I cant wait for the successor to the D810. Why not...supposed 10FPS shutter, 40 something MP and hopefully a better grip. I shoot a D3 and a D4 and crop a lot so I need the MP's to do my thing. I print LG images 17x36/40" so for me I cant wait. For weddings an 810? My 16x20 prints from my D3 look amazing...not certain how many couples want anything larger (on average) in their bedrooms. I'd love to shoot scenics so I need the MP's. I'll also have fun birding with more pixels.
Respectfully Don Parenta
Oh come on Mr. Wooddell, you know this D810 replacement is coming. I will take the bait.
Prediction:
The D810 replacement will be announced June 2017 (next month). It will have the following general features:
>D5 AF system
>D5 or better processor (at least EXPEED 5 and maybe 5.5 or 6). If you look at the histories of the cameras you will see that Nikon is constantly upgrading the EXPEED processors.
>40+ mpx
>about 8 fps in FX with a very deep buffer... roughly 100 12-bit RAWS.
>an LCD that articulates in the same fashion as the D500's
I have been shooting since 1974 and shooting Nikon since 1984. It is Nikon's 100th anniversary this July. Nikon is going to thrill us by giving us what we want.
You know this fantastic camera is about to happen :)
Robert King
https://itsaboutnature.smugmug.com
Yes the 810 is a workhorse . A beautiful machine and waiting for the new one is more about looking at what it is going to offer ? based on that I might just move to the Fuji GFX 50 as it offer medium format at 50 mega pixel, beautiful lenses and a body the same size as the 810 ! I think it's a waiting game , a game changer as medium format is back in a DSLR body size !!
I am a landscape photographer using a D800e and would like to upgrade. What I would like is 1) higher iso if it has lower noise and better dynamic range mostly for night sky photography. 2) More pixels to allow more cropping in post. 3) Faster and more accurate auto focus 4) WiFi - I need this more for camera control than downloading. I would use if for interface to Focus Stack software for example. 5) more useful control over things like exposure Bracketing - like +2, 0, -2 rather than +2, +1, 0, -1, -2. (I know the 810 is better, but Nikon has not updated the 800 with this capability). 6) The ability to use 3erd party utilities (i.e. there is a great one for simulated long exposure that is really good - but not on the Nikon). 7) I am not sure how, but make it lighter. 8) I would like firmware updates to add capabilities and features, not simply fix bugs.
What I do not want are more or improved video capabilities as they will go unused (by me).
I know I can have all of this now if I were to switch to Sony. I know Nikon and have most all the glass I need. I need Nikon to make a better 8xx.
I have been using a D800 for a few years and am generally happy with it. I agree with many comments made in this thread but there are a couple things I'd like to have:
Only one mentioned the auto fine tuning that was introduced with the D500, that must be nice to make sure all of our lenses are always at their best.
As I do mostly portrait, I would also like to have the eye focus that Sony has introduced. It must be nice to have that done by itself...
I don't see this line of product as important commercially to Nikon, other than for the public to see pro photographers using D810's and whatever comes next. I say this because of raw numbers of sales. They sell 500 D5600's for every D810, and a thousand D3400's for every D810, and that is where any profits come from, for the DSLR range. They probably lose quite a lot of money on the D810 because they have the same process to make it, as they do for any other camera - tooling up the factory, setting a production line up, marketing, QC, testing and so on. They're not going to change models in the top of the line niche for pure profit reasons, but to ensure pro photographers keep using these, and the public see it, and go to the camera store and buy a Nikon from the lower branches - We are probably getting the D810 at 60% of the price it actually costs to make, but Nikon are happy enough as it is only a cheap form of advertising. A pro using a Nikon at a golf tournament, superbowl, motor racing event becomes persuasive to the buying public in general. It is how they roll. It is nice to hear Nikon are developing new models in the higher end, but it shouldn't surprise us, this has been going on for decades.