Nikon D3 Competitors

As well as being compared against other pro DSLRs, the Nikon D3 is also often compared to entry-level DSLRs and mirrorless. The Nikon D3's top rivals come from Nikon (such as the D700 and the D7000) and Canon (such as the EOS 5D Mark II and the EOS-1D Mark IV)

Generally, some of the advantages of the Nikon D3 compared to other pro DSLR competitors include: it shoots faster continuously (9 fps vs 5 fps), has slightly less shutter lag (88 ms vs 161 ms), has a much longer battery life (4300 shots vs 1000 shots) and has more storage slots (2 vs 1).

However, on average it doesn't record movies (none vs 1080p @ 30fps), takes significantly lower resolution photos (12.1 MP vs 21 MP), lacks a built in HDR feature, is older (august, 2007 vs january, 2012) and slightly lower boost light sensitivity (25,600 ISO vs 102,400 ISO).

Nikon D700 10 months newer $2,750 (body only)	Significant advantages of the D700 (vs the D3) Much smaller: Large 147x123x77 mm vs Large 160x157x88 mm Has a self cleaning sensor Significantly thinner: 3" vs 3.5" Significant disadvantages of the D700 (vs the D3) Much shorter battery life: 1000 shots vs 4300 shots Shoots significantly slower: 5 fps vs 9 fps Significantly more shutter lag: 197 ms vs 88 ms common strengths of the D700 and D3 Very low noise at high ISO: 2,303 ISO vs 2,290 ISO Good image quality: 80.0 vs 81.0 Large sensors: Full frame 36.0x24.0mm vs Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
	Compare the D700 vs the D3
Nikon D3S 2 years newer $5,197 (body only)	Significant advantages of the D3S (vs the D3) Significantly lower noise at high ISO: 3,253 ISO vs 2,290 ISO Shoots movies: 720p @ 24fps vs None Has a self cleaning sensor Significant disadvantages of the D3S (vs the D3) Significantly more shutter lag: 197 ms vs 88 ms common strengths of the D3S and D3 Very low noise at high ISO: 3,253 ISO vs 2,290 ISO Good image quality: 82.0 vs 81.0 Very long battery life: 4400 shots vs 4300 shots
	Compare the D3S vs the D3
Nikon D800 4 years newer	Significant advantages of the D800 (vs the D3) Shoots movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs None Much higher true resolution: 36.2 MP vs 12.1 MP Significantly larger screen: 3.2" vs 3.0" Significant disadvantages of the D800 (vs the D3) Much shorter battery life: 900 shots vs 4300 shots Shoots significantly slower: 4 fps vs 9 fps common strengths of the D800 and D3 Large sensors: Full frame 35.9x24.0mm vs Full frame 36.0x24.0mm Minimal shutter lag: 42 ms vs 88 ms Many focus points: 51 vs 51
	Compare the D800 vs the D3
Nikon D4 4 years newer $6,000 (body only)	Significant advantages of the D4 (vs the D3) Shoots movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs None Significantly larger screen: 3.2" vs 3.0" Has in-camera HDR Significant disadvantages of the D4 (vs the D3) Much shorter battery life: 2600 shots vs 4300 shots common strengths of the D4 and D3 Great battery life: 2600 shots vs 4300 shots Large sensors: Full frame 36.0x24.0mm vs Full frame 36.0x24.0mm Many focus points: 51 vs 51
	Compare the D4 vs the D3
Canon EOS 5D Mark II 1 year newer $2,400 (body only) $2,799 - $2,839 24-105mm lens	Significant advantages of the 5D Mark II (vs the D3) Shoots movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs None Significantly higher true resolution: 21 MP vs 12.1 MP Much smaller: Professional size 152x114x75 mm vs Large 160x157x88 mm Significant disadvantages of the 5D Mark II (vs the D3) Much shorter battery life: 850 shots vs 4300 shots Many fewer focus points: 9 vs 51 Shoots significantly slower: 3.9 fps vs 9 fps common strengths of the 5D Mark II and D3 Relatively low noise at high ISO: 1,815 ISO vs 2,290 ISO Good image quality: 79.0 vs 81.0 Large sensors: Full frame 36.0x24.0mm vs Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
	Compare the Canon EOS 5D Mark II vs the Nikon D3
Nikon D3X 1 year newer $8,000 (body only)	Significant advantages of the D3X (vs the D3) Much higher true resolution: 24.4 MP vs 12.1 MP Significant disadvantages of the D3X (vs the D3) Shoots significantly slower: 5 fps vs 9 fps common strengths of the D3X and D3 Relatively low noise at high ISO: 1,992 ISO vs 2,290 ISO Good image quality: 88.0 vs 81.0 Very long battery life: 4400 shots vs 4300 shots
	Compare the D3X vs the D3

Generally, some of the advantages of the Nikon D3 compared to entry-level DSLR competitors include: it is much less noisy at high ISO (2,290 ISO vs 977 ISO), has slightly better image quality (81.0 vs 73.0), much larger viewfinder (0.70x vs 0.53x), has a weather sealed body and shoots faster continuously (9 fps vs 4.5 fps).

However, on average it doesn't record movies (none vs 1080p @ 24fps), takes slightly lower resolution photos (12.1 MP vs 16.1 MP), doesn't have a screen which flips out, lacks a built in HDR feature and lacks autofocus (none vs contrast detection).

Nikon D7000 3 years newer $1,097 (body only) $1,227 55-200mm lens	Significant advantages of the D7000 (vs the D3) Shoots movies: 1080p @ 24fps vs None Much smaller: Professional size 132x105x77 mm vs Large 160x157x88 mm Significantly higher true resolution: 16.1 MP vs 12.1 MP Significant disadvantages of the D7000 (vs the D3) Much more noise at high ISO: 1,167 ISO vs 2,290 ISO Much smaller sensor: APS-C 23.6x15.6mm vs Full frame 36.0x24.0mm Much shorter battery life: 1050 shots vs 4300 shots common strengths of the D7000 and D3 Very low noise at high ISO: 1,167 ISO vs 2,290 ISO Extremely good image quality: 80.0 vs 81.0 Good color depth: 23.5 bits vs 23.5 bits
	Compare the D7000 vs the D3
Nikon D5100 3 years newer $650 - $749 (body only) $600 - $750 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the D5100 (vs the D3) Shoots movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs None Much smaller: Prosumer size 127x96x78 mm vs Large 160x157x88 mm Has a flip-out screen Significant disadvantages of the D5100 (vs the D3) Much more noise at high ISO: 1,183 ISO vs 2,290 ISO Much shorter battery life: 660 shots vs 4300 shots Much smaller sensor: APS-C 23.6x15.6mm vs Full frame 36.0x24.0mm common strengths of the D5100 and D3 Very low noise at high ISO: 1,183 ISO vs 2,290 ISO Extremely good image quality: 80.0 vs 81.0 Good color depth: 23.5 bits vs 23.5 bits
	Compare the D5100 vs the D3
Nikon D90 1 year newer $869 - $897 (body only) $1,099 - $1,200 18-105mm lens	Significant advantages of the D90 (vs the D3) Much smaller: Professional size 132x103x77 mm vs Large 160x157x88 mm Much lighter: 703 g vs 1,300 g More lenses available: 169 lenses vs 121 lenses Significant disadvantages of the D90 (vs the D3) Much more noise at high ISO: 977 ISO vs 2,290 ISO Much shorter battery life: 850 shots vs 4300 shots Much smaller sensor: APS-C 23.6x15.8mm vs Full frame 36.0x24.0mm common strengths of the D90 and D3 Relatively low noise at high ISO: 977 ISO vs 2,290 ISO Good image quality: 73.0 vs 81.0 Good dynamic range: 12.5 EV vs 12.2 EV
	Compare the D90 vs the D3
Pentax K-5 3 years newer $1,008 - $1,500 (body only) $1,293 - $1,650 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the K-5 (vs the D3) Shoots movies: 1080p @ 25fps vs None Much smaller: Prosumer size 130x96x72 mm vs Large 160x157x88 mm Image stabilization: Sensor shift vs None Significant disadvantages of the K-5 (vs the D3) Much more noise at high ISO: 1,162 ISO vs 2,290 ISO Much shorter battery life: 740 shots vs 4300 shots Much smaller sensor: APS-C 23.6x15.7mm vs Full frame 36.0x24.0mm common strengths of the K-5 and D3 Very low noise at high ISO: 1,162 ISO vs 2,290 ISO Extremely good image quality: 82.0 vs 81.0 Good color depth: 23.7 bits vs 23.5 bits
	Compare the Pentax K-5 vs the Nikon D3
Nikon D3100 3 years newer $500 - $984 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the D3100 (vs the D3) Shoots movies: 1080p @ 24fps vs None Much smaller: Prosumer size 124x96x73 mm vs Large 160x157x88 mm Much lighter: 505 g vs 1,300 g Significant disadvantages of the D3100 (vs the D3) Much more noise at high ISO: 919 ISO vs 2,290 ISO Much shorter battery life: 550 shots vs 4300 shots Much smaller sensor: APS-C 23.1x15.4mm vs Full frame 36.0x24.0mm common strengths of the D3100 and D3 Relatively low noise at high ISO: 919 ISO vs 2,290 ISO Larger than average screens: 3.0" vs 3.0" Minimal startup delay: 400 ms vs 300 ms
	Compare the D3100 vs the D3
Canon Rebel T3i 3 years newer $609 - $800 (body only) $709 - $1,180 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the T3i (vs the D3) Shoots movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs None Much smaller: Professional size 133x99x79 mm vs Large 160x157x88 mm Much higher true resolution: 17.9 MP vs 12.1 MP Significant disadvantages of the T3i (vs the D3) Much more noise at high ISO: 793 ISO vs 2,290 ISO Much shorter battery life: 440 shots vs 4300 shots Much smaller sensor: APS-C 22.3x14.9mm vs Full frame 36.0x24.0mm common strengths of the T3i and D3 High resolution screens: 1,040k dots vs 922k dots Larger than average screens: 3.0" vs 3.0"
	Compare the Canon Rebel T3i vs the Nikon D3

Generally, some of the advantages of the Nikon D3 compared to mirrorless interchangeable-lens competitors include: it is much less noisy at high ISO (2,290 ISO vs 796 ISO), has slightly better image quality (81.0 vs 69.0), has higher quality type of viewfinder (pentaprism vs none), has a weather sealed body and has much less startup delay (300 ms vs 1900 ms).

However, on average it doesn't record movies (none vs 1080p @ 60fps), takes significantly lower resolution photos (12.1 MP vs 24 MP), much lower maximum light sensitivity (6,400 ISO vs 25,600 ISO), doesn't have a touch screen and doesn't have a screen which flips out.

Sony NEX-5N 4 years newer $599 - $600 (body only) $698 - $699 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the NEX-5N (vs the D3) Shoots movies: 1080p @ 60fps vs None Much smaller: Compact 111x59x38 mm vs Large 160x157x88 mm Better maximum light sensitivity: 25,600 ISO vs 6,400 ISO Significant disadvantages of the NEX-5N (vs the D3) Much shorter battery life: 460 shots vs 4300 shots Much more noise at high ISO: 1,079 ISO vs 2,290 ISO Much fewer lenses available: 8 lenses vs 121 lenses common strengths of the NEX-5N and D3 Very low noise at high ISO: 1,079 ISO vs 2,290 ISO Extremely good image quality: 77.0 vs 81.0 High resolution screens: 920k dots vs 922k dots
	Compare the Sony NEX-5N vs the Nikon D3
Sony NEX-7 4 years newer	Significant advantages of the NEX-7 (vs the D3) Shoots movies: 1080p @ 60fps vs None Much smaller: Compact 111x59x38 mm vs Large 160x157x88 mm Much higher true resolution: 24 MP vs 12.1 MP Significant disadvantages of the NEX-7 (vs the D3) Much shorter battery life: 430 shots vs 4300 shots Much more noise at high ISO: 1,016 ISO vs 2,290 ISO Much fewer lenses available: 8 lenses vs 121 lenses common strengths of the NEX-7 and D3 Very low noise at high ISO: 1,016 ISO vs 2,290 ISO Extremely good image quality: 81.0 vs 81.0 High resolution screens: 921k dots vs 922k dots
	Compare the Sony NEX-7 vs the Nikon D3
Sony Alpha NEX-5 2 years newer $569 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the NEX-5 (vs the D3) Shoots movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs None Much smaller: Compact 111x59x38 mm vs Large 160x157x88 mm Much lighter: 287 g vs 1,300 g Significant disadvantages of the NEX-5 (vs the D3) Much shorter battery life: 330 shots vs 4300 shots Much more noise at high ISO: 796 ISO vs 2,290 ISO Much fewer lenses available: 8 lenses vs 121 lenses common strengths of the NEX-5 and D3 Relatively low noise at high ISO: 796 ISO vs 2,290 ISO Good image quality: 69.0 vs 81.0 High resolution screens: 920k dots vs 922k dots
	Compare the Sony Alpha NEX-5 vs the Nikon D3