Nikon D700 What and Why

The What
TheNikon D700, announced on 1 July, '08, and scheduled to ship by the end of this month, is a bit of a shocker, and indicative of a new, much more aggressive Nikon than we have been accustomed to during this digital decade.
In brief, it is a full-frame (FX) camera using the same 12 MP sensor and image processing electronics as in the Nikon D3, except in a body closer in size and weight to the Nikon D300. Remarkably, the D700 has as much as 95% of the goodness of the D3 in a camera that costs some $2,000 less. If that isn't aggressive, I don't know what is.
Unlike some other camera companies (you know who I mean), Nikon doesn't reduce build quality, features and functionality on its second tier cameras. This means that except for a few items, such as a single rather than dual card slots, and the lack of audio note recording, the D700 has virtually every feature of the D3. It even ups the ante by adding a pop-up flash unit (which nicely serves as a remote flash trigger with N...