Barely a few months after Nikon rolled out its D300 upgrade to the venerable D200, the camera company has unveiled a new 12.1 megapixel full format digital single lens reflex (DSLR) camera – D700.

Nikon’s full  format DSLR cameras have the FX-format sensor that measures 23.9mm x 36mm, nearly equal to the size of a 35mm film.

Besides the FX-format CMOS sensor, the D700 includes Nikon’s EXPEED Image Processing System, a 51-point auto focus system with 3D Focus Tracking and two Live View shooting modes that let photographers frame a shot using the camera’s three-inch high-resolution LCD monitor.

The D700 also features Nikon’s Scene Recognition System and a new active dust reduction system.

The D700 has a native ISO range of 200 to 6400.

Here are a few other highlights of the new Nikon D700:

* starts in 0.12 seconds
* shutter-lag response time of 0.40 milliseconds
* records full resolution JPEG images at 5FPS or 8FPS with the optional MB-D10 battery pack for up to 100 images
* Photographers can enhance their pictures during or after capture with the Picture Control System and Active D-Lighting
* made of new composite carbon fiber and Kevlar hybrid material
* weighs 995gms

Priced at $3,000 (body only), the D700 is expected to ship in late July.

According to Edward Fasano, general manager for marketing, SLR System Products at Nikon, Inc:

Nikon FX-format cameras have teamed with our strong lineup of DX-format models to offer photographers unprecedented advancements in performance and versatility along with the freedom to choose the format that best serves their needs. Today’s introduction of the D700 offers an important new option to photographers who need the overall performance and imaging perspective Nikon FX-format cameras offer.

Besides the D700, Nikon also launched a new flash SB-900 ($500) and two new Perspectice Control-E Micro Lenses – Nikkor 45mm f/2.8 and 85mm f/2.8D.