The Nikon D800 is due out in just 4 weeks. Retailers in the US, Europe and Japan estimate they will have the new 36MP full-frame camera as soon as March 22, 2012. The specialized D800E will follow on April 12.
In the US, B&H Photo posted an estimated availability dates of March 22 for the D800 and April 16 for the D800E. B&H has been accepting pre-orders since the D800 was announced on February 7. Amazon has given an estimated delivery date of March 21 for pre-orders with overnight delivery. Amazon posted the D800 pre-order late at night on February 6 and closed the pre-order the following day due to overwhelming demand. Amazon’s D800 product page
In Europe several retailers are also expecting late March availability. United Kingdom’s Grays of Westminster quotes the March 22 date, while Amazon.co.uk posted the D800 with a March 26, 2012 release date on their web site. Thomas Maquaire, product manager for Nikon France stated the D800 would be available March 22 and D800E on April 12th in an interview. In Japan, web retailer Amazon.co.jp has given dates of March 22, 2012 for the D800 and April 12, 2012 for the D800E.
It is very likely that initial shipments to retailers will be accounted for by pre-orders and will not be “in stock” for immediate order for several months. Nikon revealed a maximum production capability of 30,000 units of D800 per month at their Sendai, Japan factory. Worldwide interest from both professional and amateur photographers will easily consume that amount. Some photographers seek the D800 as they move to full-frame for the first time, while others will seek the DSLR’s segment-leading 36 megapixel resolution. The camera’s primary appeal will be landscape and studio photographers, but its outstanding video capabilities should attract videographers as well. Its broad appeal combined with pent-up demand from those waiting for a successor to the 4-year old D700 will make the D800 a hot commodity for a long time into the future.
The best way to get get the Nikon D800 is to pre-order it through an Authorized Nikon Dealer. See the Nikon D800 Preorder Information page for details and a list of retailers where you can place an order online.
Nikon Rumours says that the D800 could be delayed until end April. Can you confirm?
That rumor was based on an email Amazon sent to customers with the D800E on pre-order. Amazon had entered an incorrect release date for the D800E. When Amazon removed the date, their system had no date and sent an email to customers that the item was “delayed” and had no delivery date. I have heard of no delay with the D800.