Nikon D3X Competitors

As well as being compared against other pro DSLRs, the Nikon D3X is also often compared to entry-level DSLRs and mirrorless. The Nikon D3X's top rivals come from Nikon (such as the D4 and the D3S) and Canon (such as the EOS 5D Mark II and the EOS-1D Mark IV)

Generally, some of the advantages of the Nikon D3X compared to other pro DSLR competitors include: it has significantly better image quality (88.0 vs 74.0), has slightly more color depth (24.7 bits vs 22.8 bits), has slightly wider dynamic range (13.7 EV vs 11.9 EV), takes slightly higher resolution photos (24.4 MP vs 16 MP) and has a much longer battery life (4400 shots vs 1500 shots).

However, on average it slightly lower maximum light sensitivity (1,600 ISO vs 12,800 ISO), doesn't shoot as fast continuously (5 fps vs 9 fps), lacks a built in HDR feature, doesn't focus continuously while recording movies and lacks and external mic jack.

Nikon D4 3 years newer $6,000 (body only)	Significant advantages of the D4 (vs the D3X) Significantly larger screen: 3.2" vs 3.0" Has an external mic jack Shoots much faster: 11 fps vs 5 fps Significant disadvantages of the D4 (vs the D3X) Much shorter battery life: 2600 shots vs 4400 shots Significantly lower true resolution: 15.9 MP vs 24.4 MP common strengths of the D4 and D3X Great battery life: 2600 shots vs 4400 shots Large sensors: Full frame 36.0x24.0mm vs Full frame 35.9x24.0mm Many focus points: 51 vs 51
	Compare the D4 vs the D3X
Nikon D3S 10 months newer $5,197 (body only)	Significant advantages of the D3S (vs the D3X) Much lower noise at high ISO: 3,253 ISO vs 1,992 ISO Has an external mic jack Shoots significantly faster: 9 fps vs 5 fps Significant disadvantages of the D3S (vs the D3X) Much lower true resolution: 12.1 MP vs 24.4 MP common strengths of the D3S and D3X Relatively low noise at high ISO: 3,253 ISO vs 1,992 ISO Good image quality: 82.0 vs 88.0 Very long battery life: 4400 shots vs 4400 shots
	Compare the D3S vs the D3X
Nikon D800 3 years newer	Significant advantages of the D800 (vs the D3X) Significantly larger screen: 3.2" vs 3.0" Has an external mic jack Much higher true resolution: 36.2 MP vs 24.4 MP Significant disadvantages of the D800 (vs the D3X) Much shorter battery life: 900 shots vs 4400 shots common strengths of the D800 and D3X Capture very high resolution images: 36.2 MP vs 24.4 MP Large sensors: Full frame 35.9x24.0mm vs Full frame 35.9x24.0mm Many focus points: 51 vs 51
	Compare the D800 vs the D3X
Canon EOS 5D Mark II similar age $2,400 (body only) $2,799 - $2,839 24-105mm lens	Significant advantages of the 5D Mark II (vs the D3X) Has an external mic jack Much smaller: Professional size 152x114x75 mm vs Large 160x157x88 mm Significantly lighter: 850 g vs 1,260 g Significant disadvantages of the 5D Mark II (vs the D3X) Significantly worse image quality: 79.0 vs 88.0 Much shorter battery life: 850 shots vs 4400 shots Less dynamic range: 11.9 EV vs 13.7 EV common strengths of the 5D Mark II and D3X Relatively low noise at high ISO: 1,815 ISO vs 1,992 ISO Good image quality: 79.0 vs 88.0 Good color depth: 23.7 bits vs 24.7 bits
	Compare the Canon EOS 5D Mark II vs the Nikon D3X
Canon EOS-1D Mark IV 10 months newer $5,000 - $5,930 (body only)	Significant advantages of the EOS-1D Mark IV (vs the D3X) Many more cross-type focus points: 39 vs 15 Shoots significantly faster: 10 fps vs 5 fps Better maximum light sensitivity: 12,800 ISO vs 1,600 ISO Significant disadvantages of the EOS-1D Mark IV (vs the D3X) Significantly worse image quality: 74.0 vs 88.0 Significantly more noise at high ISO: 1,320 ISO vs 1,992 ISO Much shorter battery life: 1500 shots vs 4400 shots common strengths of the EOS-1D Mark IV and D3X Multiple storage slots: 2 vs 2
	Compare the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV vs the Nikon D3X
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III 1 year older $7,714 (body only)	Significant advantages of the EOS-1Ds Mark III (vs the D3X) Thinner: 3.1" vs 3.5" Significant disadvantages of the EOS-1Ds Mark III (vs the D3X) Much lower resolution screen: 230k dots vs 920k dots Worse image quality: 80.0 vs 88.0 No weather sealing common strengths of the EOS-1Ds Mark III and D3X Relatively low noise at high ISO: 1,663 ISO vs 1,992 ISO Good image quality: 80.0 vs 88.0 Good color depth: 24 bits vs 24.7 bits
	Compare the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III vs the Nikon D3X

Generally, some of the advantages of the Nikon D3X compared to entry-level DSLR competitors include: it is much less noisy at high ISO (1,992 ISO vs 977 ISO), has significantly better image quality (88.0 vs 73.0), has slightly more color depth (24.7 bits vs 22.7 bits), has a slightly higher resolution screen (920k dots vs 460k dots) and much larger viewfinder (0.70x vs 0.51x).

However, on average it slightly lower maximum light sensitivity (1,600 ISO vs 6,400 ISO), lacks a built in HDR feature, doesn't focus continuously while recording movies, lacks and external mic jack and lacks autofocus (none vs contrast detection).

Nikon D7000 1 year newer $1,097 (body only) $1,227 55-200mm lens	Significant advantages of the D7000 (vs the D3X) Much smaller: Professional size 132x105x77 mm vs Large 160x157x88 mm Has an external mic jack Better maximum light sensitivity: 6,400 ISO vs 1,600 ISO Significant disadvantages of the D7000 (vs the D3X) Much more noise at high ISO: 1,167 ISO vs 1,992 ISO Much shorter battery life: 1050 shots vs 4400 shots Much smaller sensor: APS-C 23.6x15.6mm vs Full frame 35.9x24.0mm common strengths of the D7000 and D3X Very low noise at high ISO: 1,167 ISO vs 1,992 ISO Extremely good image quality: 80.0 vs 88.0 Good color depth: 23.5 bits vs 24.7 bits
	Compare the D7000 vs the D3X
Nikon D5100 2 years newer $650 - $749 (body only) $600 - $750 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the D5100 (vs the D3X) Much smaller: Prosumer size 127x96x78 mm vs Large 160x157x88 mm Has an external mic jack Has a flip-out screen Significant disadvantages of the D5100 (vs the D3X) Much more noise at high ISO: 1,183 ISO vs 1,992 ISO Much shorter battery life: 660 shots vs 4400 shots Much smaller sensor: APS-C 23.6x15.6mm vs Full frame 35.9x24.0mm common strengths of the D5100 and D3X Very low noise at high ISO: 1,183 ISO vs 1,992 ISO Extremely good image quality: 80.0 vs 88.0 Good color depth: 23.5 bits vs 24.7 bits
	Compare the D5100 vs the D3X
Pentax K-5 1 year newer $1,008 - $1,500 (body only) $1,293 - $1,650 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the K-5 (vs the D3X) Much smaller: Prosumer size 130x96x72 mm vs Large 160x157x88 mm Image stabilization: Sensor shift vs None Better maximum light sensitivity: 12,800 ISO vs 1,600 ISO Significant disadvantages of the K-5 (vs the D3X) Much more noise at high ISO: 1,162 ISO vs 1,992 ISO Much shorter battery life: 740 shots vs 4400 shots Much smaller sensor: APS-C 23.6x15.7mm vs Full frame 35.9x24.0mm common strengths of the K-5 and D3X Very low noise at high ISO: 1,162 ISO vs 1,992 ISO Extremely good image quality: 82.0 vs 88.0 Good color depth: 23.7 bits vs 24.7 bits
	Compare the Pentax K-5 vs the Nikon D3X
Nikon D3100 1 year newer $500 - $984 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the D3100 (vs the D3X) Much smaller: Prosumer size 124x96x73 mm vs Large 160x157x88 mm Much lighter: 505 g vs 1,260 g Video autofocus: Contrast detection vs None Significant disadvantages of the D3100 (vs the D3X) Much more noise at high ISO: 919 ISO vs 1,992 ISO Much shorter battery life: 550 shots vs 4400 shots Much smaller sensor: APS-C 23.1x15.4mm vs Full frame 35.9x24.0mm common strengths of the D3100 and D3X Relatively low noise at high ISO: 919 ISO vs 1,992 ISO Larger than average screens: 3.0" vs 3.0" Minimal startup delay: 400 ms vs 300 ms
	Compare the D3100 vs the D3X
Nikon D90 3 months older $869 - $897 (body only) $1,099 - $1,200 18-105mm lens	Significant advantages of the D90 (vs the D3X) Much smaller: Professional size 132x103x77 mm vs Large 160x157x88 mm More lenses available: 169 lenses vs 121 lenses Much lighter: 703 g vs 1,260 g Significant disadvantages of the D90 (vs the D3X) Much more noise at high ISO: 977 ISO vs 1,992 ISO Much shorter battery life: 850 shots vs 4400 shots Much smaller sensor: APS-C 23.6x15.8mm vs Full frame 35.9x24.0mm common strengths of the D90 and D3X Relatively low noise at high ISO: 977 ISO vs 1,992 ISO Good image quality: 73.0 vs 88.0 Good dynamic range: 12.5 EV vs 13.7 EV
	Compare the D90 vs the D3X
Sigma SD1 1 year newer $8,837 (body only)	Significant advantages of the SD1 (vs the D3X) Much smaller: Professional size 146x113x80 mm vs Large 160x157x88 mm Better maximum light sensitivity: 6,400 ISO vs 1,600 ISO Much lighter: 706 g vs 1,260 g Significant disadvantages of the SD1 (vs the D3X) Much smaller sensor: APS-C 23.5x15.7mm vs Full frame 35.9x24.0mm Many fewer focus points: 11 vs 51 Many fewer cross-type focus points: 2 vs 15 common strengths of the SD1 and D3X Larger than average screens: 3.0" vs 3.0" Above average viewfinder size: 0.62x vs 0.70x Both are weather sealed, which is fairly uncommon among similar cameras
	Compare the Sigma SD1 vs the Nikon D3X

Generally, some of the advantages of the Nikon D3X compared to mirrorless interchangeable-lens competitors include: it is much less noisy at high ISO (1,992 ISO vs 372 ISO), has significantly better image quality (88.0 vs 69.0), has a significantly larger screen (3.0" vs 2.5"), has a slightly higher resolution screen (920k dots vs 460k dots) and has higher quality type of viewfinder (pentaprism vs none).

However, on average it significantly lower maximum light sensitivity (1,600 ISO vs 16,000 ISO), doesn't shoot as fast continuously (5 fps vs 60 fps), doesn't have a screen which flips out, lacks a built in HDR feature and lacks a built in panoramas.

Leica M9 9 months newer $7,714 - $7,955 (body only)	Significant advantages of the M9 (vs the D3X) Much smaller: Mid size 139x80x37 mm vs Large 160x157x88 mm Much lighter: 585 g vs 1,260 g Much thinner: 1.5" vs 3.5" Significant disadvantages of the M9 (vs the D3X) Much shorter battery life: 600 shots vs 4400 shots Much smaller screen: 2.5" vs 3.0" Much more noise at high ISO: 884 ISO vs 1,992 ISO common strengths of the M9 and D3X Relatively low noise at high ISO: 884 ISO vs 1,992 ISO Good image quality: 69.0 vs 88.0 Viewfinders: Rangefinder vs Pentaprism
	Compare the Leica M9 vs the Nikon D3X
Sony NEX-7 2 years newer	Significant advantages of the NEX-7 (vs the D3X) Much smaller: Compact 111x59x38 mm vs Large 160x157x88 mm Video autofocus: Contrast detection vs None Better maximum light sensitivity: 16,000 ISO vs 1,600 ISO Significant disadvantages of the NEX-7 (vs the D3X) Much shorter battery life: 430 shots vs 4400 shots Much more noise at high ISO: 1,016 ISO vs 1,992 ISO Much fewer lenses available: 8 lenses vs 121 lenses common strengths of the NEX-7 and D3X Very low noise at high ISO: 1,016 ISO vs 1,992 ISO Extremely good image quality: 81.0 vs 88.0 High resolution screens: 921k dots vs 920k dots
	Compare the Sony NEX-7 vs the Nikon D3X
Sony NEX-5N 2 years newer $599 - $600 (body only) $698 - $699 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the NEX-5N (vs the D3X) Much smaller: Compact 111x59x38 mm vs Large 160x157x88 mm Better maximum light sensitivity: 25,600 ISO vs 1,600 ISO Video autofocus: Contrast detection vs None Significant disadvantages of the NEX-5N (vs the D3X) Much shorter battery life: 460 shots vs 4400 shots Much more noise at high ISO: 1,079 ISO vs 1,992 ISO Much fewer lenses available: 8 lenses vs 121 lenses common strengths of the NEX-5N and D3X Very low noise at high ISO: 1,079 ISO vs 1,992 ISO Extremely good image quality: 77.0 vs 88.0 High resolution screens: 920k dots vs 920k dots
	Compare the Sony NEX-5N vs the Nikon D3X
Nikon 1 J1 2 years newer $597 10-30mm lens	Significant advantages of the J1 (vs the D3X) Video autofocus: Phase detection vs None Much smaller: Compact 106x61x29 mm vs Large 160x157x88 mm Shoots much faster: 60 fps vs 5 fps Significant disadvantages of the J1 (vs the D3X) Much shorter battery life: 230 shots vs 4400 shots Much more noise at high ISO: 372 ISO vs 1,992 ISO Much fewer lenses available: 4 lenses vs 121 lenses common strengths of the J1 and D3X Both use faster phase detection autofocus which is uncommon: Phase detection vs Phase detection Fast max shutter speeds: 1/16000 of a second vs 1/8000 of a second
	Compare the 1 J1 vs the D3X
Fujifilm X-Pro1 3 years newer	Significant advantages of the X-Pro1 (vs the D3X) Much smaller: Standard size 140x82x43 mm vs Large 160x157x88 mm Significantly higher resolution screen: 1,230k dots vs 920k dots Much lighter: 450 g vs 1,260 g Significant disadvantages of the X-Pro1 (vs the D3X) Much shorter battery life: 300 shots vs 4400 shots Much fewer lenses available: 3 lenses vs 121 lenses Much smaller viewfinder: 0.24x vs 0.70x common strengths of the X-Pro1 and D3X High resolution screens: 1,230k dots vs 920k dots Viewfinders: Tunnel vs Pentaprism Capture very high resolution images: 16 MP vs 24.4 MP
	Compare the Fujifilm X-Pro1 vs the Nikon D3X