Nikon D3S
Competitors

As well as being compared against other pro DSLRs, the Nikon D3S is also often compared to entry-level DSLRs and mirrorless. The Nikon D3S's top rivals come from Nikon (such as the D800 and the D4) and Canon (such as the EOS 5D Mark III and the EOS 5D Mark II)

Generally, some of the advantages of the Nikon D3S compared to other pro DSLR competitors include: it is slightly less noisy at high ISO (3,253 ISO vs 2,303 ISO), shoots faster continuously (9 fps vs 6 fps), has an external mic jack, has a much longer battery life (4400 shots vs 1000 shots) and slightly higher boost light sensitivity (102,400 ISO vs 25,600 ISO).

However, on average it has a slightly smaller screen (3.0" vs 3.2"), takes significantly lower resolution photos (12.1 MP vs 22.1 MP), lacks a built in HDR feature, has slightly more shutter lag (197 ms vs 88 ms) and is older (october, 2009 vs january, 2012).

Nikon D800 2 years newer $2,999 - $3,000 (body only)	Significant advantages of the D800 (vs the D3S) Much higher true resolution: 36.2 MP vs 12.1 MP Significantly better image quality: 95.0 vs 82.0 Significantly larger screen: 3.2" vs 3.0" Significant disadvantages of the D800 (vs the D3S) Much shorter battery life: 900 shots vs 4400 shots Shoots significantly slower: 4 fps vs 9 fps Worse boost ISO: 25,600 ISO vs 102,400 ISO common strengths of the D800 and D3S Relatively low noise at high ISO: 2,853 ISO vs 3,253 ISO Minimal startup delay: 120 ms vs 300 ms Large sensors: Full frame 35.9x24.0mm vs Full frame 36.0x23.9mm
	Compare the D800 vs the D3S
Nikon D4 2 years newer $5,999 - $6,000 (body only)	Significant advantages of the D4 (vs the D3S) Significantly larger screen: 3.2" vs 3.0" Has in-camera HDR Video autofocus: Contrast detection vs None Significant disadvantages of the D4 (vs the D3S) Much shorter battery life: 2600 shots vs 4400 shots common strengths of the D4 and D3S Relatively low noise at high ISO: 2,965 ISO vs 3,253 ISO Minimal startup delay: 300 ms vs 300 ms Great battery life: 2600 shots vs 4400 shots
	Compare the D4 vs the D3S
Nikon D700 1 year older $2,649 (body only)	Significant advantages of the D700 (vs the D3S) Significantly smaller: Large 147x123x77 mm vs Large 160x157x88 mm Significantly thinner: 3" vs 3.5" Built-in flash Significant disadvantages of the D700 (vs the D3S) Significantly more noise at high ISO: 2,303 ISO vs 3,253 ISO Much shorter battery life: 1000 shots vs 4400 shots Shoots significantly slower: 5 fps vs 9 fps common strengths of the D700 and D3S Large sensors: Full frame 36.0x24.0mm vs Full frame 36.0x23.9mm Many focus points: 51 vs 51 Supports RAW
	Compare the D700 vs the D3S
Nikon D3X 10 months older $7,997 - $8,000 (body only)	Significant advantages of the D3X (vs the D3S) Much higher true resolution: 24.4 MP vs 12.1 MP Significant disadvantages of the D3X (vs the D3S) Significantly more noise at high ISO: 1,992 ISO vs 3,253 ISO Lacks an external mic jack Lacks a self cleaning sensor common strengths of the D3X and D3S Minimal startup delay: 300 ms vs 300 ms Very long battery life: 4400 shots vs 4400 shots Large sensors: Full frame 35.9x24.0mm vs Full frame 36.0x23.9mm
	Compare the D3X vs the D3S
Nikon D3 2 years older	Significant advantages of the D3 (vs the D3S) Significantly less shutter lag: 88 ms vs 197 ms Significant disadvantages of the D3 (vs the D3S) Significantly more noise at high ISO: 2,290 ISO vs 3,253 ISO Lacks a self cleaning sensor Worse boost ISO: 25,600 ISO vs 102,400 ISO common strengths of the D3 and D3S Minimal startup delay: 300 ms vs 300 ms Very long battery life: 4300 shots vs 4400 shots Large sensors: Full frame 36.0x24.0mm vs Full frame 36.0x23.9mm
	Compare the D3 vs the D3S
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 2 years newer $3,499 - $3,500 (body only) $4,299 - $4,300 24-105mm lens	Significant advantages of the 5D Mark III (vs the D3S) Significantly larger screen: 3.2" vs 3.0" Much higher true resolution: 22.1 MP vs 12.1 MP Many more cross-type focus points: 41 vs 15 Significant disadvantages of the 5D Mark III (vs the D3S) Significantly more noise at high ISO: 2,293 ISO vs 3,253 ISO Much shorter battery life: 950 shots vs 4400 shots common strengths of the 5D Mark III and D3S Minimal startup delay: 100 ms vs 300 ms Large sensors: Full frame 36.0x24.0mm vs Full frame 36.0x23.9mm Many focus points: 61 vs 51
	Compare the Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs the Nikon D3S

Generally, some of the advantages of the Nikon D3S compared to entry-level DSLR competitors include: it is much less noisy at high ISO (3,253 ISO vs 977 ISO), has slightly better image quality (82.0 vs 73.0), significantly larger viewfinder (0.70x vs 0.51x), slightly higher maximum light sensitivity (12,800 ISO vs 6,400 ISO) and has a weather sealed body.

However, on average it records lower quality movies (720p @ 24fps vs 1080p @ 24fps), takes significantly lower resolution photos (12.1 MP vs 24.1 MP), lacks a built in HDR feature, lacks autofocus (none vs contrast detection) and slightly fewer lenses available (121 lenses vs 169 lenses).

Nikon D7000 1 year newer $1,000 (body only) $1,100 55-200mm lens	Significant advantages of the D7000 (vs the D3S) Much smaller: Professional size 132x105x77 mm vs Large 160x157x88 mm Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 24fps vs 720p @ 24fps Significantly higher true resolution: 16.1 MP vs 12.1 MP Significant disadvantages of the D7000 (vs the D3S) Much more noise at high ISO: 1,167 ISO vs 3,253 ISO Much smaller sensor: APS-C 23.6x15.6mm vs Full frame 36.0x23.9mm Much shorter battery life: 1050 shots vs 4400 shots common strengths of the D7000 and D3S Very low noise at high ISO: 1,167 ISO vs 3,253 ISO Good image quality: 80.0 vs 82.0 Good color depth: 23.5 bits vs 23.5 bits
	Compare the D7000 vs the D3S
Nikon D5100 1 year newer $500 - $597 (body only) $600 - $697 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the D5100 (vs the D3S) Much smaller: Prosumer size 127x96x78 mm vs Large 160x157x88 mm Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 24fps Has a flip-out screen Significant disadvantages of the D5100 (vs the D3S) Much more noise at high ISO: 1,183 ISO vs 3,253 ISO Much smaller sensor: APS-C 23.6x15.6mm vs Full frame 36.0x23.9mm Much shorter battery life: 660 shots vs 4400 shots common strengths of the D5100 and D3S Very low noise at high ISO: 1,183 ISO vs 3,253 ISO Good image quality: 80.0 vs 82.0 Good color depth: 23.5 bits vs 23.5 bits
	Compare the D5100 vs the D3S
Nikon D90 1 year older $897 (body only) $1,047 55-200mm lens	Significant advantages of the D90 (vs the D3S) Much smaller: Professional size 132x103x77 mm vs Large 160x157x88 mm More lenses available: 169 lenses vs 121 lenses Much lighter: 703 g vs 1,240 g Significant disadvantages of the D90 (vs the D3S) Much more noise at high ISO: 977 ISO vs 3,253 ISO Much smaller sensor: APS-C 23.6x15.8mm vs Full frame 36.0x23.9mm Much shorter battery life: 850 shots vs 4400 shots common strengths of the D90 and D3S Relatively low noise at high ISO: 977 ISO vs 3,253 ISO High resolution screens: 930k dots vs 921k dots Above average viewfinder size: 0.63x vs 0.70x
	Compare the D90 vs the D3S
Pentax K-5 1 year newer $888 - $1,129 (body only) $1,033 - $1,283 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the K-5 (vs the D3S) Much smaller: Prosumer size 130x96x72 mm vs Large 160x157x88 mm Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 25fps vs 720p @ 24fps Image stabilization: Sensor shift vs None Significant disadvantages of the K-5 (vs the D3S) Much more noise at high ISO: 1,162 ISO vs 3,253 ISO Much smaller sensor: APS-C 23.6x15.7mm vs Full frame 36.0x23.9mm Much shorter battery life: 740 shots vs 4400 shots common strengths of the K-5 and D3S Very low noise at high ISO: 1,162 ISO vs 3,253 ISO Extremely good image quality: 82.0 vs 82.0 Good color depth: 23.7 bits vs 23.5 bits
	Compare the Pentax K-5 vs the Nikon D3S
Nikon D3100 10 months newer $500 - $547 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the D3100 (vs the D3S) Much smaller: Prosumer size 124x96x73 mm vs Large 160x157x88 mm Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 24fps vs 720p @ 24fps Much lighter: 505 g vs 1,240 g Significant disadvantages of the D3100 (vs the D3S) Much more noise at high ISO: 919 ISO vs 3,253 ISO Much smaller sensor: APS-C 23.1x15.4mm vs Full frame 36.0x23.9mm Much shorter battery life: 550 shots vs 4400 shots common strengths of the D3100 and D3S Minimal startup delay: 400 ms vs 300 ms 24p support
	Compare the D3100 vs the D3S
Nikon D3200 2 years newer $699 - $700 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the D3200 (vs the D3S) Much smaller: Prosumer size 125x96x76 mm vs Large 160x157x88 mm Much higher true resolution: 24.1 MP vs 12.1 MP Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 24fps Significant disadvantages of the D3200 (vs the D3S) Much smaller sensor: APS-C 23.2x15.4mm vs Full frame 36.0x23.9mm Much shorter battery life: 540 shots vs 4400 shots Many fewer focus points: 11 vs 51 common strengths of the D3200 and D3S High resolution screens: 921k dots vs 921k dots 24p support
	Compare the D3200 vs the D3S

Generally, some of the advantages of the Nikon D3S compared to mirrorless interchangeable-lens competitors include: it is much less noisy at high ISO (3,253 ISO vs 884 ISO), has slightly better image quality (82.0 vs 69.0), has a significantly larger screen (3.0" vs 2.5"), has higher quality type of viewfinder (pentaprism vs none) and much larger viewfinder (0.70x vs 0.24x).

However, on average it records lower quality movies (720p @ 24fps vs 1080p @ 24fps), takes significantly lower resolution photos (12.1 MP vs 18.1 MP), doesn't have a touch screen, doesn't have a screen which flips out and lacks a built in HDR feature.

Leica M9 similar age $6,995 (body only)	Significant advantages of the M9 (vs the D3S) Much smaller: Mid size 139x80x37 mm vs Large 160x157x88 mm Significantly higher true resolution: 18.1 MP vs 12.1 MP Much lighter: 585 g vs 1,240 g Significant disadvantages of the M9 (vs the D3S) Much shorter battery life: 600 shots vs 4400 shots Much more noise at high ISO: 884 ISO vs 3,253 ISO Much smaller screen: 2.5" vs 3.0" common strengths of the M9 and D3S Relatively low noise at high ISO: 884 ISO vs 3,253 ISO Good image quality: 69.0 vs 82.0 Viewfinders: Rangefinder vs Pentaprism
	Compare the Leica M9 vs the Nikon D3S
Sony NEX-5N 1 year newer $598 - $600 (body only) $698 - $700 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the NEX-5N (vs the D3S) Much smaller: Compact 111x59x38 mm vs Large 160x157x88 mm Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 60fps vs 720p @ 24fps Video autofocus: Contrast detection vs None Significant disadvantages of the NEX-5N (vs the D3S) Much shorter battery life: 460 shots vs 4400 shots Much more noise at high ISO: 1,079 ISO vs 3,253 ISO Much more startup delay: 1900 ms vs 300 ms common strengths of the NEX-5N and D3S Relatively low noise at high ISO: 1,079 ISO vs 3,253 ISO Good image quality: 77.0 vs 82.0 High resolution screens: 920k dots vs 921k dots
	Compare the Sony NEX-5N vs the Nikon D3S
Fujifilm X-Pro1 2 years newer $2,298 (body only)	Significant advantages of the X-Pro1 (vs the D3S) Much smaller: Standard size 140x82x43 mm vs Large 160x157x88 mm Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 24fps vs 720p @ 24fps Higher resolution screen: 1,230k dots vs 921k dots Significant disadvantages of the X-Pro1 (vs the D3S) Much shorter battery life: 300 shots vs 4400 shots Much smaller viewfinder: 0.24x vs 0.70x No weather sealing common strengths of the X-Pro1 and D3S High resolution screens: 1,230k dots vs 921k dots Viewfinders: Tunnel vs Pentaprism Both support 24p, which is uncommon in cameras similar to these
	Compare the Fujifilm X-Pro1 vs the Nikon D3S