ASK COREY: What is the best “quiver-of-one” Nikon DSLR camera?

Hi Corey! I have another question for you: If you had to pick one Nikon HD-SLR, without knowing what the assignment is, would it be the Nikon D610, Nikon D800, Nikon D4s?

I will be upgrading to an FX. My heart says Nikon D4s (of course), my head says Nikon D800, but my pockets says Nikon D610. I think I know the answer already, but would really love to know what you think as I value your opinion. Cheers! – Maya Sugiharto

 The worst compromises in life are when you have to choose between three bad choices. Luckily for you, there’s not a single bad choice in your future! (At least so long as you don’t get a wild hair and suddenly decide to stray from one of those three aforementioned Nikon HD-SLR cameras.)

Each one has its own strength. The D610 is priced extremely well, and it is a really well rounded camera as it shoots both relatively high-resolution photographs, and full HD video. Its strengths are its price point and its light weight. It will be my go-to camera when heading into the mountains, and weight is a real consideration.

The D800 is an amazing camera if you need really high-resolution photographs at 36 megapixels, as well as shoot full HD video with full control over the aperture and shutter speed.

On the high end, is the new D4s, which does it all. Full HD video, including (finally!) the ability to capture full HD video at 60 fps. And, it’s incredibly fast: meaning it can capture bursts of stills at 11 fps.

Are you shooting sports or action still photography? If so, the answer is unquestionably the D4s.

Are you shooting landscapes or images that require incredibly high resolution? If so, the answer is the D800.

If you’re doing a little of both, and budget is a concern, then the D610 is your solution.

But, if you really pushed me into a corner, and forced me to choose just one do-it-all, quiver-of-one camera body, I would have to agree with what your heart is telling you, and go for the Nikon D4s.

Get that. Then get ready … because, eventually, you’re going to buy all three.