Shun Cheung 
, Feb 06, 2012; 11:01 p.m.
I am sure this is anticlematic as a lot of this information has been leaked for months. Today Nikon announces the D800 and D800E duo. Those are 36MP, full 35mm frame FX DSLRs.
- 36.3MP, 7360×4912 Nikon FX sensor
- ISO range from 100 to 6400
- 100% viewfinder
- 4 frames/second for FX, 5 fps for DX
- AF: similar to the D4, still using Multi-CAM 3500 AF module
- Video: once again, similar to the D4, i.e. powerful
- Memory cards: 1 CF and 1 SD
- Battery: EN-EL15, same as D7000 and V1
- Vertical Grip: new MB-D12
- Price: US$2999.95 for the D8000, $3299.95 for the D800E
The D800E is the same as the D800 but has an additional filter over the sensor to cancel out the effect of the anti-aliasing filter. Potentially, you can get more resolution but is more prone to moriemoire. However, the D800E still has the AA filter as the D800 does.
What is new is that the D800 is manufactured in Thailand, although components are from Japan and other countries. This is the first time an FX-format Nikon DSLR is made in Thailand.
February 18, 2012: There are several reports from journalists who recently toured Nikon's Sendai, Japan factory that they are making about 30000 D800 bodies at Sendai every month. That completely contradicts the information photo.net received from Nikon USA that the D800 is made in Thailand (Thailand was clearly mentioned 2, 3 times during our conference call). I am still waiting for a final confirmation from Nikon USA. Since I don't really care whether the D800 is made in Japan or Thailand, I am not pushing for an answer on a daily basis. I would say there is no reason for me to believe that those journalists' reports are all wrong. I am quite sure that the D800/D800E are actually made in Japan. I apologize for the incorrect information earlier. -- Shun
You can find photo.net's preview here: http://photo.net/equipment/nikon/D800/preview/
If you have questions concerning the AA filters, both DPReview and Rob Galbraith have (the same) diagrams showing how the second filter cancels the first in a set of 4 filters on the D800E. On the D800, the second filter splits the light in a different direction:
You can find Galbraith's entire article here: http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/multi_page.asp?cid=7-11674-12304
Leslie Cheung , Feb 06, 2012; 11:11 p.m.
Thanks, Shun! Good job, Nikon! Anyone knows the DX mode MP real quick?
Shun Cheung , Feb 06, 2012; 11:13 p.m.
Leslie, the DX crop is 15.4MP, just a bit less than the D7000/D5100.
Randy Hargraves , Feb 06, 2012; 11:16 p.m.
Well Shun it looks like the non-AA version was accurate information after all.
Lex Jenkins , Feb 06, 2012; 11:19 p.m.
"The D800E is the same as the D800 but has an additional filter over the sensor to cancel out the effect of the anti-aliasing filter. Potentially, you can get more resolution but is more prone to morie. However, the D800E still has the AA filter as the D800 does."
Fassscccinating approach to that particular issue.
This is going to seem like confirmation of the suspicions some folks have that Nikon is accidentally-on-purpose leaking info. The "optional AA filter" was a peculiarly specific rumor, particularly for a company like Nikon that's know to be very conservative and rarely indulges in options or simultaneous releases of variations of the same body, lens, flash or other gear.
Shun Cheung , Feb 06, 2012; 11:24 p.m.
Brian, I was under NDA last week so that I already knew that there would also be a D800E without the anti-aliasing effect. However, the rumors I read was incorrect that the D800E would be without an AA filter. When we discussed that with Nikon last week, we clarified that with them very carefully. The D800E still has the regular AA fitler, but they are adding another filter to cancel out the AA effect. That was why the question in this thread didn't make sense: D800 with and without AA filter: http://photo.net/nikon-camera-forum/00Zxtv as the OP thought that the AA filter would be removed on the D800E.
Since I could not disclose that I was under NDA, I wrote:
Concerning the details about their replacement models, it is best to wait until Nikon officially announces them; by then, things will become a lot clearer.
Leslie Cheung , Feb 06, 2012; 11:31 p.m.
There goes using less than stellar lenses on this baby...And say goodbye to the d3x;)
Lex Jenkins , Feb 06, 2012; 11:33 p.m.
By the way, in case anyone is curious, Shun doesn't even give me any hints privately. Never has. I never even know whether he's under an NDA for a particular bit of gear. I don't pressure him privately about this stuff, but I doubt he'd give me a hint anyway. I find out this stuff the same way as everyone else who isn't under an NDA - after the official announcements.
I was very skeptical about the "optional AA filter" rumor and considered it the least likely Nikon rumor I'd ever heard. It really surprised me that Nikon would even offer an optional D800E with an anti-anti-aliasing filter simultaneously with the D800.
To me, Nikon simultaneously releasing two versions of any new gear is a bigger surprise than anything else.
It's gonna be tougher than ever to discount rumors now, no matter how outrageous. From now on, every day is April Fools Day. Thanks, Nikon.
Josh Root 
, Feb 06, 2012; 11:37 p.m.
Aw Lex, don't feel bad. Shun won't even talk to me about new gear even though we are covered by the same NDA and have the same advance info in front of us. "Loose lips sink cameras" he is always saying.
Yes yes, I am joking.
