The camera has been the subject of rumors for a while now but the Nikon has finally announced what the D800 will bring to the table. While we’d love to hand you the release date today, sadly this is not the case, but we can reveal that the date has been narrowed down to a month. The unit has been the subject of some delays mainly due to the recent floods in the area, but according to The Verge it will finally be available in March. The D800 will retail for $2,999.95 and instead of being a scaled down version of the D4, this will be going head on with the Canon 5D Mark II.

First up the D800 uses a 36.3 megapixel FX format sensor that creates TIFF files as big as 212MB. Similar to the D4 it uses the same 91,005 pixel RGB metering sensor, and has the same 921,000 dot LCD screen. The Expeed 3 processor allows the D800 to start up in only 0.12 seconds, and also uses the new 51 point autofocus system.

The new cameras ISO range goes up to 6400 and is expandable to 25,600, which falls short of the Nikon D4. You will find a USB 3.0 port along with an SD card and CF slot, which is something not found on the D700. Nikon has put on proper doors to protect the inputs and done away with those horrible pieces of rubber.

Nikon have provided more for users wanting to take video with the D800, as output is uncompressed HDMI. Footage can be viewed on the LCD screen and an external monitor at the same time. Users can now start and stop recording wirelessly, and also shares the power aperture control like the D4. You will also find a new headphone jack on the D800.

Recording at 1080p is possible at either 24 or 30 frames per second, or 720p at 30 or 60 frames per second. The company also revealed the Nikon D800E that is basically the same camera without the antialiasing feature and is $300 more. This is aimed at those who take shots of fashion or textiles and still want to utilize the full 36.3 megapixels.

Online retailer Amazon has already got both models up for preorder but doesn’t give any more information on the actual release date during March. Will you be getting the Nikon D800?

The company has seemingly begun the process of discontinuing its D300s and D700 camera models. According to a report over at Electronista Nikon has added the two cameras to the old products listing it has on the Japanese version of their website.

This move by the company is seen as an indication that Nikon are about to finally release both the Nikon D800 and D400 models, which have recently appeared in a variety of leaks. It is thought that the D400 is a straight replacement for the D400, while the D800 is seen as the natural successor for the D700.

Nikon has yet to confirm any details about either model though but there have been plenty of leaks. With regards of the D800 it is thought it will offer a smaller form factor with a sloped shutter controls similar to those found on the D4.

It is believed that Nikon has decided to have used a 36-megapixel sensor, and have designed the device to take on the rival Cannon EOS 5D Mark II, while exact launch dates for both the D800 and D400 are still unclear but the D800 is believed to be around the $2,700 mark. Update: Nikon Rumors are now saying the D800 will be officially revealed on February 7th and should ship within a few weeks of the announcement.

Will you be thinking of getting the D800 or D400?

There are a growing number of rumors suggesting that another Nikon DSLR is close to release in the shape of the D800. Many were hoping that Nikon would showcase its new shooter at last week’s CES event in Las Vegas, but were left disappointed.

Now a report on TechRadar is suggesting that the D800 could make its Debut early next month, and could come at the same time as the CP+ photography show that will take place in Japan. In a similar way with the D4 there are a number of things happening that has raised speculation that the D800 release is imminent.

A camera store in Houston, Texas is believed to have already started taking preorders for a ’36 megapixel D800 camera’, and priced at $2,699.99. Now also another D800 book has been leaked on the internet, even though one emerged over a year ago. But this time round one has appeared that is by German publisher Franzis, which is down for a March 2012 release.

It is thought that the Nikon D800 will be released as a replacement for the D700, and rumored specifications are believed to include a 36 megapixel sensor, 4fps shooting mode, and Full HD video capture.

There are also some claiming that the Thailand floods may have resulted in an event being cancelled last year, and the only DSLR launch so far was for the D4, which is manufactured in Japan. Are you looking forward to the Nikon D800?