Nikon D700 vs Samsung GX-10: An Experienced Photographer’s Guide to Two Advanced DSLRs

When you peek into the “advanced DSLR” category from the mid to late 2000s, cameras like the Nikon D700 and Samsung GX-10 quietly surface as intriguing candidates with distinctive personalities. Both were designed for enthusiasts and semi-pros striving to balance serious performance with manageable handling and reasonable budgets.

Having spent extensive hours behind the viewfinders of both - in studio bustles, the quiet wilderness, chaotic sports fields, and serene landscapes - I’m here to break down their stories, their strengths, their quirks, and ultimately who should consider each of these stalwarts today.

Along the way, I’ll share insights from hands-on testing and practical experience that no spec sheet alone can provide.

Let’s dive in.

Shapes, Sizes & Feel: Handling the Nikons and Samsungs

Before you hurry to the sensor specs or autofocus numbers, how a camera feels in your hands often determines your shooting joy or frustration. The Nikon D700 and Samsung GX-10 are both heralded as mid-size SLRs, but they bring different ergonomics and design philosophies to the table.

The Nikon D700 weighs in at 1074 grams with dimensions around 147 x 123 x 77 mm, exuding a solid, reassuring heft that many photographers enjoy for stability. The controls have been meticulously arranged over years of Nikon refinement - commanding easy access to shutter speed, ISO, aperture controls, and a handy top LCD panel. Its grip wraps naturally around your hand, encouraging long shoots without fatigue.

Over on the Samsung GX-10, you’ll find a lighter body at 793 grams and more compact dimensions (142 x 101 x 70 mm). While still comfortable, the GX-10 feels more nimble and less imposing, which could be a boon for travel or street photography where discretion and speed of movement matter. However, its smaller grip and more basic control layout reflect its earlier place in the DSLR timeline.

Speaking of controls…

Layout and User Interface: The Photographer’s Command Center

Great photography requires quick, confident adjustments. Let’s check if the UI on these cameras fosters that, or leaves you fumbling.

The D700’s top deck sports a clear top-screen LCD with exposure information - something the Samsung lacks. It includes dedicated dials for ISO and exposure compensation, and a mode dial cleverly tucked behind the shutter release, optimized for rapid changes on the fly. It’s a photographer’s dream for intuitive, physical controls.

Meanwhile, the Samsung GX-10 favors a minimalist approach: the traditional pentaprism hump, a mode dial on top, and modest buttons. Notably, it lacks a top info screen, meaning more settings are toggled through menus or secondary buttons. This can slow down workflow, especially under pressure. Yet, for manual shooters who savor simplicity and deliberate pace, this can be less intimidating.

Neither camera sports a touchscreen - no surprise given their era - but the Nikon’s control twiddles feel more modern in comparison.

Sensor Showdown: A Tale of Two Imaging Technologies

Next, the heart of any camera: the sensor.

With Nikon’s full-frame 36x24 mm CMOS sensor packing 12 megapixels, the D700 promised big-image quality leaps back in 2008. It benefits from a large sensor area of 864 mm², providing excellent light gathering and shallow depth of field for natural bokeh. Nikon’s Expeed processor, though first generation, allows decent noise handling and solid dynamic range - DxO rating the D700 at an impressive overall 80 with especially strong color depth (23.5 bits) and dynamic range (12.2 EV).

The Samsung GX-10 uses a smaller APS-C sized 23.5x15.7 mm CCD sensor at 10 megapixels and 369 mm² area, which reflects its 1.5x crop factor. Though CCDs historically yielded punchy colors and sharp images, they generally lag CMOS sensors noise-wise and speed-wise. The GX-10 admittedly sees a cap at ISO 1600 native, while the D700 pushes ISO 6400 natively and can be boosted up to an astonishing 25600. Samsung’s sensor in this camera architecture lags behind in low light but can deliver decent detail at base ISO 100.

In real-world shooting, the D700’s full-frame sensor produces cleaner images in dim environments and offers far richer tonal gradations. The GX-10, while respectable for daylight and controlled lighting, will show earlier noise onset and somewhat compressed dynamic range.

Viewing and Composing: Optical vs LCD Experience

Composing and reviewing your shots should be pleasurable and efficient.

The D700 sports a 3-inch fixed TFT LCD with a wide viewing angle and 922k-dot resolution - pretty crisp detail for reviewing images and menu browsing, despite no touchscreen. Its optical viewfinder offers 95% frame coverage with 0.72x magnification - sharp, bright, and preferred by most traditionalists for real-time shooting, especially outdoors or in bright sunlight.

By contrast, the GX-10’s LCD is a smaller 2.5-inch, lower resolution display (210k dots), so image playback lacks finesse and detail compared to Nikon’s. Its optical viewfinder also covers 95% but with slightly reduced magnification (0.64x), making framing a tad less precise. No live view mode on the GX-10 means you are fully dependent on the OVF or after-shot playback - which will feel limiting for those used to mirrorless systems or modern live view DSLR modes.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Catching the Moment

Autofocus systems often define a camera’s usability across genres - especially wildlife, sports, and street photography.

The Nikon D700 comes with a 51-point autofocus system based on phase detection, which is impressively sophisticated for its vintage. It supports continuous (AF-C), single (AF-S), selective focus, and multi-area AF modes - though lacks face or animal eye detection which are more recent flourishes. Its shutter speed maxes at 1/8000s, with a flash sync of 1/250s, and burst shooting hits 5 fps - a respectable rate for enthusiast DSLRs.

In contrast, the Samsung GX-10 features a simpler 11-point AF with phase detection, again no face detection, and max continuous shooting at a modest 3 fps. The maximum shutter speed is only 1/4000s and flash sync lags at 1/180s.

Practically speaking, for fast-moving action, the D700 delivers snappier focus acquisition and higher sustained burst rates - a significant advantage when timing a bird takeoff or a decisive sport moment. The GX-10’s autofocus performance feels more leisurely and better suited for portraiture, landscapes, or slower paced shooting.

Image Stabilization: The Battle of Lens vs Sensor

Image stabilization tech is essential for handheld sharpness at slower shutter speeds.

Here, surprisingly, the Samsung GX-10 offers sensor-based stabilization, meaning the sensor itself shifts to compensate for shake regardless of lens compatibility. This was a standout feature in 2006, giving it an edge with stabilized shots on various lenses.

The Nikon D700, on the other hand, relies on lens-based stabilization (VR if your Nikkor lenses have it), but the camera body itself does not have sensor stabilization. This means your image stabilization depends entirely on the lens you pair with it, though Nikon’s VR lenses are top-notch.

For handheld macro or low-light shooting, I’ve found sensor stabilization slightly more user-friendly because it applies universally, but Nikon’s system offers superior optical correction when supported.

Weather Sealing & Build: Shooting When It Rains… or Snows

Both cameras boast weather-resistant construction, enabling confidence outdoors. The D700’s body is constructed with magnesium alloy and extensive sealing, targeting pros and serious enthusiasts who venture into challenging conditions. Samsung’s GX-10 also includes environmental sealing but feels less robust overall.

In practical terms, the D700’s durability is a known standard - countless photographers swear by it in rugged environments, from mountain trails to dusty deserts. The GX-10 is decent, but less proven for harsh usage patterns.

Photography Styles: Which Fields Do They Excel In?

Let’s now zoom in on photographic disciplines where you might deploy these cameras, evaluating their real-world merits and limitations.

Portrait Photography: Rendering Skin and Bokeh

Portrait photographers crave accurate skin tones, smooth transitions, and pleasing background separation.

The D700’s full-frame sensor naturally produces shallow depth of field and can coax creamy, beautiful bokeh even with moderate prime lenses. Its accurate color rendering and 14-bit RAW flexibility give ample editing latitude to fine-tune skin tones. The 51-point AF, while lacking face detect, nails eye-focused sharpness with thoughtful selective AF points.

The GX-10, constrained by APS-C crop, naturally sees more depth of field at equivalent apertures, making background blur less dramatic. With its CMOS sensor and limited raw bit depth (12-bit), fine tonal gradations are a bit tighter. The smaller number of focus points (11) and lack of face detection make perfect in-focus eye sharpness a bit more manual - though the system is still very usable.

If portraiture is your bread and butter, especially for client work or artistic projects, the Nikon D700 distinctly shines.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Details

Landscapes demand wide dynamic range and enough resolution to capture fine details for big prints.

The D700 offers a 12 MP full-frame sensor with a large 864 mm² area, delivering fantastic dynamic range (~12.2 EV) - preserving shadow details and highlights. The bigger sensor also means lower noise floors at base ISO.

The GX-10’s APS-C sensor at 10 MP trails behind in dynamic range and noise handling. The smaller sensor area results in deeper depth of field - which can be an advantage for landscape but will require stopping down more to achieve edge-to-edge sharpness.

Because both cameras lack articulating or weather-proof rear LCDs, composition on tricky terrain requires solid planning or external monitors.

If crisp, high dynamic range imagery is your dream, the D700 has a clear upper hand.

Wildlife Photography: Speed and Reach

Wildlife calls for speedy AF, high frame-per-second rates, and telephoto reach.

Nikon’s 5 fps continuous shooting, 1/8000s shutter, and 51-point AF edge the GX-10’s 3 fps and 11-point AF. The full-frame sensor means pairing with long fast lenses is smoother with less crop factor influence - delivering more natural framing.

Samsung’s APS-C crop factor of 1.5x offers a telephoto “reach” illusion by cropping the image, which some wildlife shooters appreciate for tighter framing with shorter lenses. Its sensor stabilization can be useful for telephoto handheld shots.

Overall, the D700 feels more at home for fast wildlife capture due to its speed and AF sophistication, but the GX-10 can serve as a lightweight alternative where telephoto crop advantage is welcome.

Sports Photography: Tracking and Low Light

Sports photography requires precision tracking AF, fast frame rates, and good ISO performance under gymnasium or evening stadium lights.

The D700’s burst rate and low light ISO capabilities again pull ahead here. Its 5 fps continuous shooting is decent for action sequences; when paired with high-ISO performance up to 6400 native (and boosted to 25600 usable with noise), it handles dim conditions well.

The GX-10’s 3 fps frame rate and max ISO 1600 cap restrict its low-light adaptability and action capture finesse.

If you cover sports regularly, especially indoor or night games, the Nikon D700 becomes the clear champion.

Street Photography: Discretion and Portability

Stealth and speed often rule the street shooting domain.

Here, the smaller and lighter GX-10 body, combined with its compact APS-C lenses, offers a less conspicuous setup. The quieter shutter and sensor stabilization assist in snapping handheld shots discretely.

The D700 feels bulkier on the street, with a louder shutter sound and beefier build that announces your presence.

For street photographers aiming for nimble agility and less gear attention, Samsung’s GX-10 might feel more natural.

Macro and Close-Up Work: Reflexes and Precision

Macro shooters prize focus accuracy, magnification, and steadiness.

Both cameras rely on external macro lenses with manual or autofocus capability. The GX-10’s sensor stabilization helps combat shake for fine detail capture. The higher pixel density of the D700’s sensor means finer detail rendering but no in-body stabilization.

Neither boasts focus stacking or bracketing natively, so macro requires manual patience.

Night and Astro Photography: High ISO and Exposure Controls

Astrophotographers lean heavily on low noise at high ISO and long exposure capability.

The D700’s native ISO up to 6400 with extended boosts and excellent shadow detail control make it a solid candidate here. Its shutter speed down to 30 seconds and bulb mode facilitate night exposures.

The GX-10 also supports 30-second exposures but caps ISO at 1600, increasing noise visible in star fields.

For astro work, the D700’s superior high-ISO performance and large sensor area offer clear advantages.

Video and Multimedia Workflow

Neither camera offers video recording capabilities - common in their production era. They are purely still photography tools.

Connectivity-wise, the D700 supports HDMI out and USB 2.0; GX-10 lacks HDMI but includes USB 2.0. Wireless options are absent on both.

Travel and Versatility: Battery Life and Storage

Battery life is crucial when on extended trips or remote locations.

The Nikon D700’s EN-EL3e battery delivers roughly 1000 shots per charge, an excellent endurance estimate tested under practical scenarios. It uses compact flash cards - a reliable, albeit older storage format.

The Samsung GX-10’s battery specs are less defined, but user reports suggest average endurance - likely less than the D700. It stores images on SD/SDHC cards - more universally compatible but potentially slower.

The D700 is bulkier but built for professional travel durability; the GX-10 trades a bit of ruggedness for lightness, suiting casual travel better.

Professional Considerations: Workflow and File Formats

Working professionals often demand reliable RAW support and smooth workflow integration.

Both cameras shoot RAW files, with Nikon’s NEF format widely supported across Lightroom, Capture One, and Photoshop worlds. Samsung’s RAW (likely PEF or DNG variants) may require specific converters but generally also play well in professional pipelines.

The D700’s robust build, superior sensor, and mature ecosystem with Nikon F mount lenses (over 300 options available) make it a far more versatile tool for serious work.

The GX-10, compatible with Pentax KAF2 mount lenses (about 150 available), offers respectable options but a less developed pro pedigree.

The Bottom Line: Scores and Recommendations

To summarize what all these specs, tests, and hands-on impressions amount to, let’s look at the final performance scores I’ve collated from actual usage and third-party benchmarks.

…and

You can see the D700 generally dominates on overall image quality, speed, autofocus, and professional features. The GX-10 carves out its niches in portability, sensor stabilization, and budget.

Final Thoughts: Who Should Buy What?

If you crave phenomenal image quality, excellent low-light prowess, rapid autofocus, solid burst shooting, and professional robustness, and you don’t mind the larger body or price premium (~$2700), the Nikon D700 remains a powerful, reliable powerhouse. It suits portrait, wildlife, sports, landscape, and professional users with larger budgets.

On the other hand, if you prioritize a lighter, more compact package with sensor stabilization, moderate price (~$850), and plan mainly portrait, travel, and casual landscapes under good lighting, the Samsung GX-10 is a worthwhile contender. It’s an especially interesting choice if you already own Pentax K-mount lenses or want a portable second body.

Both cameras are faithful mid-2000s DSLRs that reflect thoughtful design in their era, but your choice depends on your priorities - performance demands versus portability and price sensitivity.

Summary Table: Quick Reference

Closing Note

Both the Nikon D700 and Samsung GX-10 deserve a loving place in a photographer’s arsenal, especially as used or budget-friendly full-featured interchangeable-lens cameras.

My advice? Handle both if you can, test their balance for your shooting style, and consider your existing lenses and future growth as a photographer.

After all, a camera’s story unfolds not just from numbers but the images you create.

Happy shooting!

Nikon D700 screen back Samsung GX 10 front Samsung GX 10 screen back