2. improved:
Handling; Camera is approximately 1kg no lightweight, that in itself is not a disadvantage, but the handle could be further elaborated forward to really make a full and firm grip (I do not have particularly large hands, the handle still is too small to me ).
3. Negative:
White balance in the JPEG files, here really come to light shortcomings, which are unlikely to occur for a camera in this price range.
The white balance seldom meets an optimum, which is to accept the automatic white balance yet, but is out of the question at the fixed white balance levels; example: White balance in flash setting: the result with dedicated flash or studio flash = far too high a proportion of yellow. Even a manual Weis reassignment on gray or white card does not always secure optimal results. In many situations I have therefore accustomed the color temperature directly enter values in Kelvin - that is to be determined by screen test, which is not in very volatile situations Photo course always possible.
Here Nikon urgently needs rework, since not only on the "detour" of RAW NEF files should optimum results are available.
Conclusion:
A rock-solid photo-tools, with the man / woman has but to work intensively in order to achieve the best possible results.
I would buy it again, but hope for a "Nikon D800" a safer and a more pronounced white balance (larger) handle. Otherwise, Nikon should still save a few grams of weight and increase the resolution moderate at 16 MP.
Update: 08/14/2013
My satisfaction with the Nikon D700 has meanwhile risen yet.
There is now the D800 (whose 36 MP are just too much) and the D600 (since you can still hear, unfortunately, very often of sensor fouling problems); not for me yet really convincing successor to the D700.
The compactness of the Nikon D600, I would like to know, plus a 18 MP sensor and the autofocus system of the D800; so a case will probably not come, otherwise the D4 is pressed too much.
The 12-MP of the D700 give me far from good; even with the high ISO capability, I am very satisfied. The weaknesses of the D700, I know, but it can largely circumvent or fix.
The D700 is for me still a very good photo tools.