Nikon D810 Gallery: High-Resolution Samples from the Field
Even in the age of mirrorless, the 36.3MP Nikon D810 remains a favorite for its incredible base-ISO dynamic range. I’ve updated this gallery with sample images ranging from broad daylight to challenging low-light conditions to help you decide if this legendary DSLR still fits your workflow in 2026.
The Nikon D810 occupied a legendary spot in the Nikon lineup, sitting between the high-resolution jump of the D800 and the all-around dominance of the D850.
Even years after its release, its 36.3-megapixel sensor remains a benchmark for dynamic range and color depth.
Here is a collection of sample images I’ve shot with the D810 to give a sense of how it performs in real-world shooting, from low-light cityscapes to technical macros.
Archival Note (February 2026): While the D810 has been succeeded by the D850 and the Z-series mirrorless bodies, it remains a fantastic value on the second-hand market and can still be found new heavily discounted from its original price.
I still get questions about its performance in the field, so I’m maintaining this full gallery of sample images as a reference for those considering this body today.
Nikon D810 sample images
I’ve included the exposure information and lens used in the caption under each shot to show how the sensor handles different optics and lighting challenges.
Photo taken with a Nikon D810 with a Nikon AF Fisheye-NIKKOR 16mm f/2.8D lens with an aperture of f/3.2, shutter speed of ¹⁄₃₀ sec, and sensitivity of ISO 160. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelPhoto taken with a Nikon D810 with a Nikon NIKKOR lens with an aperture of f/5, shutter speed of ¹⁄₁₆₀ sec, and sensitivity of ISO 6400. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelPhoto taken with a Nikon D810 with a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24mm f/1.4G ED lens with an aperture of f/1.8, shutter speed of ¹⁄₅₀ sec, and sensitivity of ISO 2200. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelPhoto taken with a Nikon D810 with a Nikon AF Fisheye-NIKKOR 16mm f/2.8D lens with an aperture of f/8, shutter speed of ¹⁄₁₆₀₀ sec, and sensitivity of ISO 100. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelPhoto taken with a Nikon D810 with a Nikon NIKKOR lens with an aperture of f/2.8, shutter speed of ¹⁄₁₃ sec, and sensitivity of ISO 1100. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelPhoto taken with a Nikon D810 with a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED lens with an aperture of f/2.8, shutter speed of ¹⁄₈₀₀₀ sec, and sensitivity of ISO 64. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelThis photo was taken with a Nikon D810 with a Nikon 24.0mm f/1.4 @ ISO 10000.Photo taken with a Nikon D810 with a Nikon AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED lens with an aperture of f/16, shutter speed of ¹⁄₂₅₀ sec, and sensitivity of ISO 64. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelPhoto taken with a Nikon D810 with a Nikon NIKKOR TAMRON 28-300mm F3.5-6.3 Di VC PZD A010N lens with an aperture of f/6.3, shutter speed of ¹⁄₁₆₀₀ sec, and sensitivity of ISO 100. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelPhoto taken with a Nikon D810 with a Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports lens with an aperture of f/8, shutter speed of ¹⁄₄₀₀₀ sec, and sensitivity of ISO 100. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelPhoto taken with a Nikon D810 with a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens with an aperture of f/5.6, shutter speed of ¹⁄₈₀₀ sec, and sensitivity of ISO 140. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelPhoto taken with a Nikon D810 with a Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports lens with an aperture of f/6.3, shutter speed of ¹⁄₁₂₅₀ sec, and sensitivity of ISO 1400. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelPhoto taken with a Nikon D810 with a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED lens with an aperture of f/2.8, shutter speed of ¹⁄₄₀₀ sec, and sensitivity of ISO 64. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelPhoto taken with a Nikon D810 with a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens with an aperture of f/5.3, shutter speed of ¹⁄₅₀₀ sec, and sensitivity of ISO 4000. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelThis photo was taken with a Nikon D810 with a Nikon 24.0mm f/1.4 @ ISO 8000.Photo taken with a Nikon D810 with a Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports lens with an aperture of f/6.3, shutter speed of ¹⁄₁₂₅₀ sec, and sensitivity of ISO 10000. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelPhoto taken with a Nikon D810 with a Nikon AF Fisheye-NIKKOR 16mm f/2.8D lens with an aperture of f/2.8, shutter speed of ¹⁄₃₀ sec, and sensitivity of ISO 720. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelPhoto taken with a Nikon D810 with a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24mm f/1.4G ED lens with an aperture of f/1.4, shutter speed of ¹⁄₅₀ sec, and sensitivity of ISO 72. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelPhoto taken with a Nikon D810 with a Nikon AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED lens with an aperture of f/3.3, shutter speed of ¹⁄₁₂₅ sec, and sensitivity of ISO 250. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelPhoto taken with a Nikon D810 with a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens with an aperture of f/5.6, shutter speed of ¹⁄₈₀₀ sec, and sensitivity of ISO 320. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelThis photo was taken with a Nikon D810 with a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24mm f/1.4G ED lens @ ISO 8000.Photo taken with a Nikon D810 with a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED lens with an aperture of f/9, shutter speed of ¹⁄₁₆₀ sec, and sensitivity of ISO 400. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelPhoto taken with a Nikon D810 with a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24mm f/1.4G ED lens with an aperture of f/1.4, shutter speed of ¹⁄₈₀₀₀ sec, and sensitivity of ISO 64. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelPhoto taken with a Nikon D810 with a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens with an aperture of f/9, shutter speed of ¹⁄₈₀ sec, and sensitivity of ISO 100. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelPhoto taken with a Nikon D810 with a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED lens with an aperture of f/2.2, shutter speed of ¹⁄₁₂₅₀ sec, and sensitivity of ISO 100. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelPhoto taken with a Nikon D810 with a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED lens with an aperture of f/2.8, shutter speed of ¹⁄₃₂₀ sec, and sensitivity of ISO 64. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelPhoto taken with a Nikon D810 with a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens with an aperture of f/5.6, shutter speed of ¹⁄₈₀₀ sec, and sensitivity of ISO 1250. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelPhoto taken with a Nikon D810 with a Nikon NIKKOR Fisheye 16mm f/2.8 lens with an aperture of f/2.8, shutter speed of ¹⁄₃₀ sec, and sensitivity of ISO 1250. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelPhoto taken with a Nikon D810 with a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G lens with an aperture of f/2, shutter speed of ¹⁄₃₂₀ sec, and sensitivity of ISO 100. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelPhoto taken with a Nikon D810 with a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED lens with an aperture of f/2, shutter speed of ¹⁄₂₅₀₀ sec, and sensitivity of ISO 400. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelPhoto taken with a Nikon D810 with a Nikon AF Fisheye-NIKKOR 16mm f/2.8D lens with an aperture of f/2.8, shutter speed of ¹⁄₃₀ sec, and sensitivity of ISO 720. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelPhoto taken with a Nikon D810 with a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED lens with an aperture of f/1.4, shutter speed of ¹⁄₈₀₀₀ sec, and sensitivity of ISO 64. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelPhoto taken with a Nikon D810 with a Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports lens with an aperture of f/13, shutter speed of ¹⁄₂₅₀₀ sec, and sensitivity of ISO 1800. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelPhoto taken with a Nikon D810 with a Nikon AF Fisheye-NIKKOR 16mm f/2.8D lens with an aperture of f/2.8, shutter speed of ¹⁄₃₀ sec, and sensitivity of ISO 2500. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelPhoto taken with a Nikon D810 with a Nikon AF Fisheye-NIKKOR 16mm f/2.8D lens with an aperture of f/3.5, shutter speed of ¹⁄₃₀ sec, and sensitivity of ISO 640. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelPhoto taken with a Nikon D810 with a Nikon AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED lens with an aperture of f/2.8, shutter speed of ¹⁄₁₂₅₀ sec, and sensitivity of ISO 64. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelPhoto taken with a Nikon D810 with a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 20mm f/1.8G ED lens with an aperture of f/2.8, shutter speed of ¹⁄₄₀ sec, and sensitivity of ISO 1600. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelPhoto taken with a Nikon D810 with a Nikon AF Fisheye-NIKKOR 16mm f/2.8D lens with an aperture of f/2.8, shutter speed of ¹⁄₁₂₅ sec, and sensitivity of ISO 64. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelPhoto taken with a Nikon D810 with a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED lens with an aperture of f/2.8, shutter speed of ¹⁄₆₄₀ sec, and sensitivity of ISO 64. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelPhoto taken with a Nikon D810 with a Nikon AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED lens with an aperture of f/2.8, shutter speed of ¹⁄₈₀ sec, and sensitivity of ISO 16000. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelPhoto taken with a Nikon D810 with a Nikon AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED lens with an aperture of f/2.8, shutter speed of ¹⁄₆₀ sec, and sensitivity of ISO 4000. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelPhoto taken with a Nikon D810 with a Nikon AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED lens with an aperture of f/3.3, shutter speed of ¹⁄₆₀ sec, and sensitivity of ISO 180. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelPhoto taken with a Nikon D810 with a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED lens with an aperture of f/8, shutter speed of ¹⁄₃₀ sec, and sensitivity of ISO 800. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelPhoto taken with a Nikon D810 with a Nikon AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED lens with an aperture of f/29, shutter speed of ¹⁄₆₀ sec, and sensitivity of ISO 1400. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelPhoto taken with a Nikon D810 with a Nikon AF Fisheye-NIKKOR 16mm f/2.8D lens with an aperture of f/2.8, shutter speed of ¹⁄₃₀ sec, and sensitivity of ISO 2200. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelPhoto taken with a Nikon D810 with a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G lens with an aperture of f/1.4, shutter speed of ¹⁄₆₄₀ sec, and sensitivity of ISO 64. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelPhoto taken with a Nikon D810 with a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED lens with an aperture of f/11, shutter speed of ¹⁄₅₀ sec, and sensitivity of ISO 140. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will TravelThis photo was taken with a Nikon D810 with a Nikon 105.0mm f/2.8 @ ISO 6400.This photo was taken with a Nikon D810 with a Nikon TAMRON 28-300mm F3.5-6.3 Di VC PZD A010N @ ISO 20000.
Key specs
Sensor
36.3MP Full-Frame (FX) CMOS (No OLPF)
Processor
EXPEED 4
ISO Range
64 – 12,800 (Expandable to 32 – 51,200)
Autofocus
51-Point AF (Multi-CAM 3500FX) with Group Area AF
Shooting Speed
5 fps (Full Res) / 7 fps (DX Crop with Grip)
Video
Full HD 1080p at 60/50/30/24 fps
Storage
Dual Slots: 1x CompactFlash (UDMA 7) and 1x SD (UHS-I)
LCD Monitor
3.2″ 1,229k-dot RGBW Fixed Screen
Weight
Approx. 880 g (1 lb. 15.1 oz.) Body Only
Price & availability
The D810 has been discontinued to make room for the D850 and the Z-mount mirrorless system. But you can still pick them up new and used, often at a great price!
However, it remains a fantastic entry point into full-frame photography for those on a budget. Because it handles the same EN-EL15 batteries and SD/CF cards as newer bodies, it’s a very easy system to maintain.
I take photos for a living. Now based in Washington, D.C., I have spent the last 30+ years shooting across seven continents — from underwater environments to mountain peaks. My images and time-lapses have appeared in major newspapers, magazines, museums, professional sports stadiums, and even on massive architectural scrims covering world-famous buildings.
I started this site in 2009 to field-test gear, share problem-solving solutions, and share what I've learned in shooting around the world. I only review gear and services I have personally used. No armchair opinions — just real-world experience. Because, for me, the fun is in the making of the photo.
