Updated (January, 2012): Compare the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III vs Nikon D4

Nikon D3S

95

Winner

Nikon D3S

"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 D3S's build-quality
"Class-leading high ISO performance and incredibly versatile ISO 100-12,800 sensitivity range"
dpreview.com | talking about the D3S's iso-noise

Reasons to buy the Nikon D3S

Low light performance
Low noise at high ISO
3,253 ISO
Continuous shooting
Rapid fire
9 fps
Sensor size
Large sensor
Full frame 36.0x23.9mm
External mic jack
External mic jack
Record higher quality audio with a microphone
Battery life
Great battery life
4400 shots
Light sensitivity (boost)
High ISO (boost)
102,400 ISO
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

76

Runner-up

Canon EOS-1Ds

Reasons to buy the Canon EOS-1Ds

Viewfinder size
Large viewfinder
0.76x
Sensor size
Large sensor
Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
Sensor cleaning
Self cleaning sensor
Avoids dust in your photos
Storage slots
More storage slots
2

differences

Advantages of the Canon EOS-1Ds

True resolution Significantly higher true resolution 21 MP vs 12.1 MP
Help
Capture more than 70% more detail in your photos
Viewfinder size Larger viewfinder 0.76x vs 0.70x
Help
Around 20% larger viewfinder
Color depth Better color depth 24 bits vs 23.5 bits
Help
Distinguishes 0.5 more bits of color
Size Smaller 150x160x80 mm vs 160x157x88 mm
Help
More than 10% smaller
Cross type focus points More cross-type focus points 19 vs 15
Help
Grab focus in difficult situations
Thickness Significantly thinner 3.1" vs 3.5"
Help
Around 10% thinner
Lens availability Slightly more lenses available 125 lenses vs 121 lenses
Help
Almost the same
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III Learn more about
the Canon EOS-1Ds

Advantages of the Nikon D3S

Low light performance Much lower noise at high ISO 3,253 ISO vs 1,663 ISO
Help
The D3S has a slight edge (1 f-stop) in low noise, high ISO performance
Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen 921k dots vs 230k dots
Help
More than 4x higher resolution screen
Autofocus Faster autofocus Phase detection vs Contrast detection
Help
Catch candid moments easily
Movie format Shoots movies 720p @ 24fps vs None
Help
Shoots HD (720p) video as well as still pictures
Continuous shooting Shoots significantly faster 9 fps vs 5 fps
Help
80% faster continuous shooting
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 12,800 ISO vs 1,600 ISO
Help
The D3S's maximum light sensitivity is 3 f-stops better
Light sensitivity (boost) Better boost ISO 102,400 ISO vs 3,200 ISO
Help
The D3S's boost ISO is 5 f-stops better
Overall image quality Slightly better image quality 82.0 vs 80.0
Help
Almost the same
Focus points More focus points 51 vs 45
Help
Set focus accurately within the frame
Lowest price Significantly cheaper $5,196.95 vs $9,135.19
Help
The best price we've seen is $3,938 cheaper (more than 40% less)
Weight Lighter 1,240 g vs 1,385 g
Help
More than 10% lighter
Nikon D3S Learn more about
the Nikon D3S
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent pro DSLRs, and ignoring price

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III Canon EOS-1Ds
76 vs 95
Explain scores
Nikon D3S Nikon D3S
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Nikon D3S.

advice

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Nikon D3 vs Nikon D3S

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similarities

Compared to recent DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Low light performance Relatively low noise at high ISO Help
EOS-1Ds:1,663 ISO
D3S:3,253 ISO
Overall image quality Good image quality Help
EOS-1Ds:80.0
D3S:82.0
Sensor size Very large sensors Help
EOS-1Ds:Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
D3S:Full frame 36.0x23.9mm
Color depth Good color depth Help
EOS-1Ds:24 bits
D3S:23.5 bits
Viewfinder size Above average viewfinder size Help
EOS-1Ds:0.76x
D3S:0.70x
Weather sealed Weather sealed Help
Shoot in extreme weather
Focus points Many focus points Help
EOS-1Ds:45
D3S:51
Viewfinder Both have pentaprism viewfinders Help
Pentaprism
Viewfinder coverage Above average viewfinder coverage Help
100%
Storage slots Multiple storage slots Help
2
Fastest shutter speed Fast max shutter speeds Help
1/8000 of a second
Built-in flash No built-in flash Help
Professional
Weight Heavy Help
EOS-1Ds:1,385 g
D3S:1,240 g
Lowest price Very expensive Help
EOS-1Ds:$9,135.19
D3S:$5,196.95
Size Large Help
EOS-1Ds:150x160x80 mm
D3S:160x157x88 mm
Autofocus No video autofocus Help
Manual focus only
HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
Screen flips out No flip-out screens Help
Less flexible
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Movie format One shoots movies Help
EOS-1Ds:None
D3S:720p @ 24fps

Compared to recent pro DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Supports RAW Supports RAW Help
Better editing
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
EOS-1Ds:1,600 ISO
D3S:12,800 ISO
Screen size Very small screens Help
3.0"

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Nikon D800

Nikon D800

Pro DSLR

$2,999 - $3,000 body only

Overall image quality Has significantly better image quality
Movie format Records higher quality movies
Battery life Has a much shorter battery life
Nikon D4

Nikon D4

Pro DSLR

$5,999 - $6,000 body only

Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Movie format Records higher quality movies
Thickness Is thicker
Size Is slightly larger
Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Pro DSLR

$2,130 body only

$2,875 - $2,999 with 24-105mm lens

Movie format Records higher quality movies
Size Is significantly smaller
Storage slots Has fewer storage slots
Viewfinder coverage Slightly less viewfinder coverage
Nikon D700

Nikon D700

Pro DSLR

$2,649 body only

Size Is significantly smaller
Lowest price Is slightly less expensive
Storage slots Has fewer storage slots
Viewfinder coverage Significantly less viewfinder coverage
Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Pro DSLR

$3,499 - $3,500 body only

$4,299 - $4,300 with 24-105mm lens

Movie format Records higher quality movies
Screen size Has a significantly larger screen
Battery life Has a much shorter battery life
Dynamic range Has slightly narrower dynamic range
Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

Pro DSLR

$5,000 - $5,930 body only

Movie format Records higher quality movies
Shutter lag Has slightly less shutter lag
Sensor size Has a significantly smaller sensor
External mic jack Lacks and external mic jack
Nikon D3X

Nikon D3X

Pro DSLR

$7,997 - $8,000 body only

Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Dynamic range Has slightly wider dynamic range
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III.

Nikon D3S Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Nikon D3S.

appearance

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III Nikon D3S
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III Nikon D3S
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III Nikon D3S

discussion

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