Pro DSLR Pro DSLR
October, 2009
Nikon D3S

NikonD3S

Summary Nikon D3S

Prices Price
Body only $4,999 - $5,197 Kit Unknown
all D3S prices
Score Snapsort rank
Within its price range #n/a of 2 Among similar cameras #n/a of 5
details details
Specifications Key specs
Sensor size Help Full frame 36.0x23.9mm Screen resolution Help 921k dots
Megapixels Help 12.1 MP Movie format Help 720p @ 24fps
Screen size Help 3.0" Light sensitivity Help 12,800 ISO
see all specifications
Lenses Lenses
Browse all Nikon D3S lenses at LensHero
Nikon D3SNikon D3S

Replacement

Nikon has replaced the D3S with the D4.

Nikon D4
Nikon D4 announced January, 2012
Movie format Higher resolution movies
Screen size Significantly larger screen
HDR Has in-camera HDR

Compare the new Nikon D4 vs the D3S

reviewsWhat are people saying about the D3S

"As you may expect the D3 feels comfortable and sturdy in your hand, the grip is just the right size, depth and shape to be both comfortable and easy to hold."
dpreview.com | talking about the camera's feel
"The camera has locked immediately to my target, and as you can see, it has stuck with him even when a second player enters the frame."
dpreview.com | talking about the camera's auto-focus
"The D3's proportions make it almost square, and thanks to a magnesium shell it is literally as solid as a brick."
dpreview.com | talking about the camera's build-quality

Videos

Nikon D3s Hands-on Review Vide...
Nikon D3s Hands-on Review Video - DigitalRev.com
  • Image quality
  • Ergonomics
  • Preview
  • Unboxing

Browse all Nikon D3S videos

Pros

The Nikon D3S vs other recent DSLRs

Low light performance Very low noise at high ISO Help
3,253 ISO
Overall image quality Incredible overall image quality Help
82.0
Viewfinder size Large viewfinder Help
0.70x
Focus points Many focus points Help
51
Cross type focus points Many cross-type focus points Help
15
Viewfinder coverage Above average viewfinder coverage Help
100%
Light sensitivity (boost) High boost light sensitivity Help
102,400 ISO
Storage slots More storage slots Help
2
Fastest shutter speed Fast shutter speed Help
1/8000 of a second
Color depth Good color depth Help
23.5 bits
Screen resolution High resolution screen Help
921k dots
Supports 24p 24p movies Help
For that film look
Startup delay Short startup delay Help
300 ms startup delay
Weather sealed Weather sealed Help
Shoot in extreme weather
Continuous shooting Rapid fire Help
9 fps
Sensor size Very large sensor Help
Full frame 36.0x23.9mm
Viewfinder Doesn't use battery, see more detail Help
Pentaprism
Battery life Incredible battery life Help
4400 shots

Cons

The Nikon D3S vs other recent DSLRs

Screen flips out Fixed screen Help
Less flexible
Panorama Lacks in-camera panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
Movie continuous focus Lacks movie continuous focus Help
Requires attention to focus while recording
3D Doesn't take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Size Quite large Help
Large 160x157x88 mm
Thickness Thick Help
3.5"
Weight Very heavy Help
1,240 g
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
Autofocus Manual focus only Help
None
HDR Lacks in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
Announced Old Help
October, 2009
Lowest price Expensive Help
$4,999.00
Built-in flash No built-in flash Help
Professional

The Nikon D3S vs other recent pro DSLRs

Movie format HD movies Help
720p @ 24fps
Shutter lag Longer shutter lag Help
197 ms shutter lag
Screen size Below average sized screen Help
3.0"
True resolution Lower true resolution Help
12.1 MP

dxomark

DXOMark

Appearance

front photo of the Nikon D3Sback photo of the Nikon D3Sangle photo of the Nikon D3S

Discussion What do you think about the Nikon D3S?

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