D800 audio record quality with mixer.

[Jonathan Levin]

Does anyone happen to know how the internal audio components of a Nikon D800 compare to something like a dedicated video camera's audio components.

Is audio any higher or lower "resolution" (for lack of a better term) then with something like a EX3, xf300, hpx 255, and so on? Are specs about the same?

I'll be trying some sound tests using a mixer properly connected to the camera.

Thanks for your expertise.

Jonathan

[Stephen Brenner]

Even a dedicated videocamera won't have the quality preamps that a mixer like the sound devices mixpre or mm-1 will provide, plus you get the option of using better quality phantom powered condenser mics. If you want the best quality sound, you generally have an external recorder (I use the sony pcm-d50) and synch to the camera audio in post.

[Duane Adam]

The d800 has a very usable line stage using an external mic pre. It also doesn't have an intrusive limiter with a low threshold as do the gh3 or ex1r so it's easier to get higher signal to noise ratios. I tested with an API mic pre and a Tascam 680 and the Nikon input stage was reasonably quiet and is suitable for interviews etc.

I believe all the cameras you mentioned record in 16/48 so I wouldn't want want to record an album on any of them.

[Jonathan Levin]

Duane,

Thanks. So the D800 is 16bit/48hrtz? This seems comparable to other dedicated video cameras on the market.

Stephen,

I'll be using a mixer to if and when I use the D800 with sound for sure.

Jonathan

[Duane Adam]

Nikon is vague and describes the audio only as linear PCM but it's 16 bit 48k stereo PCM.