Updated (January, 2012): Compare the Nikon D4 vs Nikon D7000

Nikon D3S

91

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
Overall image quality
Great image quality
82.0
Viewfinder size
Large viewfinder
0.70x
Light sensitivity
High ISO
12,800 ISO
Weather sealed
Weather sealed
Shoot in extreme weather
Continuous shooting
Rapid fire
9 fps
Nikon D90

62

Runner-up

Nikon D90

"Fast Autofocus with useful control options"
dpreview.com | talking about the D90's auto-focus
"The D90 feels very comfortable and natural, with a good grip and logical, ergonomic, button placement."
dpreview.com | talking about the D90's feel

Reasons to buy the Nikon D90

Dynamic range
Wide dynamic range
12.5 EV
Badge
Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses

differences

Advantages of the Nikon D3S

Low light performance Much lower noise at high ISO 3,253 ISO vs 977 ISO
Help
The D3S has excellent image quality 1.7 f-stops higher ISO than the D90
Battery life Much longer battery life 4400 shots vs 850 shots
Help
More than 5x more shots per battery charge
Overall image quality Better image quality 82.0 vs 73.0
Help
More than 10% better image quality
External mic jack Has an external mic jack Yes vs No
Help
Record high quality audio with an external microphone
Sensor size Much larger sensor Full frame 36.0x23.9mm vs APS-C 23.6x15.8mm
Help
Around 2.5x larger sensor
Weather sealed Weather sealed Yes vs No
Help
Sealed to shoot in the rain
Focus points Many more focus points 51 vs 11
Help
Set focus accurately within the frame
Color depth Better color depth 23.5 bits vs 22.7 bits
Help
Distinguishes 0.8 more bits of color
Continuous shooting Shoots significantly faster 9 fps vs 4.5 fps
Help
2x faster continuous shooting
Viewfinder size Larger viewfinder 0.70x vs 0.63x
Help
More than 20% larger viewfinder
Cross type focus points More cross-type focus points 15 vs 1
Help
Grab focus in difficult situations
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 12,800 ISO vs 3,200 ISO
Help
The D3S's maximum light sensitivity is 2 f-stops better
Viewfinder coverage Significantly better viewfinder coverage 100% vs 96%
Help
Almost the same
Light sensitivity (boost) Better boost ISO 102,400 ISO vs 6,400 ISO
Help
The D3S's boost ISO is 4 f-stops better
Storage slots Has more storage slots 2 vs 1
Help
More slots allows storing more images without switching memory cards
Fastest shutter speed Much faster max shutter speed 1/8000s vs 1/4000s
Help
2x faster max shutter speed
Shutter lag Slightly less shutter lag 197 ms vs 208 ms
Help
Around 10% less delay when taking photos
Nikon D3S Learn more about
the Nikon D3S

Advantages of the Nikon D90

Size Much smaller 132x103x77 mm vs 160x157x88 mm
Help
2.1x smaller
Lens availability Significantly more lenses available 169 lenses vs 121 lenses
Help
Around 40% more lenses available
Dynamic range More dynamic range 12.5 EV vs 12 EV
Help
0.5 f-stops more dynamic range
Weight Significantly lighter 703 g vs 1,240 g
Help
More than 40% lighter
Thickness Significantly thinner 3" vs 3.5"
Help
More than 10% thinner
Lowest price Significantly cheaper $896.95 vs $5,196.95
Help
The best price we've seen is $4,300 cheaper (5.8x less)
Built-in flash Built-in flash Yes vs No
Help
A built-in flash is useful for taking indoor shots where there is little light
Nikon D90 Learn more about
the Nikon D90
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent DSLRs, and ignoring price

Nikon D3S Nikon D3S
91 vs 62
Explain scores
Nikon D90 Nikon D90
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Nikon D3S. This recommendation, however, should be taken with a grain of salt since it doesn't always make sense to compare a pro DSLR with a entry-level DSLR.

advice

Need help deciding?

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I am considering either the D3S or the D90,
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Are you a camera expert? Share your knowledge!

0
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by Deanna-Strieb last week
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I'm mainly taking pictures of my children but am super picky!  I don't want to do manual setting...

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been stealing my dad's d-slr for quite some time for mini photo shoots with my dogs and friends ...

0
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I consider myself more as a professional then a beginner, have taking on some photography jobs wit...

0
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by Howard-Ridge last month
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Was a very keen amateur photographer in the old days 35mm and had a few dslrs.

1
votes
by Lance-Villanueva-Ramos last month
Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D90

Beginner,capturing the moment of different events

2 people recommend the Nikon D3100:

" D3100 is going to have better video capabilities which you outlined as a need, image quality wil..."

"The D3100 is better for beginners because it has a great guide that will help you set up the camer..."

similarities

Compared to recent DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Viewfinder Both have pentaprism viewfinders Help
Pentaprism
Supports 24p 24p support Help
For that film look
Startup delay Minimal startup delay Help
300 ms startup delay
Autofocus No video autofocus Help
Manual focus only
HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
True resolution Capture low resolution images Help
D3S:12.1 MP
D90:12.2 MP
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 Both shoot high resolution HD movies Help
720p @ 24fps

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $597 body only

$600 - $697 with 18-55mm lens

Movie format Records higher quality movies
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Lens focus motor Doesn't have a built-in focus motor
Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$1,000 body only

$1,100 with 55-200mm lens

Movie format Records higher quality movies
Dynamic range Has slightly wider dynamic range
Shutter lag Has slightly more shutter lag
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $547 with 18-55mm lens

Movie format Records higher quality movies
Movie continuous focus Can focus continuously while recording movies
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Lens focus motor Doesn't have a built-in focus motor
Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Canon Rebel T2i

Entry-level DSLR

$544 - $949 body only

$649 - $867 with 18-55mm lens

Movie format Records higher quality movies
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Viewfinder Has a lower quality type of viewfinder
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
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Nikon D3200

Nikon D3200

Entry-level DSLR

$699 - $700 with 18-55mm lens

Movie format Records higher quality movies
True resolution Takes much higher resolution photos
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Lens focus motor Doesn't have a built-in focus motor
Nikon D300S

Nikon D300S

Pro DSLR

$1,690 - $1,700 body only

$2,547 - $4,295 with 18-200mm lens

Thickness Is thinner
Weight Is slightly heavier

Nikon D3S Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Nikon D4

Nikon D4

Pro DSLR

$5,999 - $6,000 body only

Overall image quality Better image quality
Screen size Significantly larger screen
Battery life Much shorter battery life
Low light performance More noise at high ISO
Nikon D3X

Nikon D3X

Pro DSLR

$7,997 - $8,000 body only

True resolution Much higher true resolution
Overall image quality Better image quality
Low light performance Significantly more noise at high ISO
External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack
Nikon D3

Nikon D3

Pro DSLR

Shutter lag Significantly less shutter lag
Dynamic range More dynamic range
Low light performance Significantly more noise at high ISO
Sensor cleaning Lacks a self cleaning sensor
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

Screen size Significantly larger screen
True resolution Much higher true resolution
Low light performance Significantly more noise at high ISO
Battery life Much shorter battery life

Nikon D90 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$848 - $1,304 body only

$1,177 - $1,342 with 18-135mm lens

External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Movie format Higher resolution movies
Dynamic range Less dynamic range
Overall image quality Worse image quality
Canon Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$619 - $700 body only

$745 - $1,000 with 18-55mm lens

External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Movie format Higher resolution movies
Dynamic range Less dynamic range
Overall image quality Worse image quality

appearance

Nikon D3S Nikon D90
Nikon D3S Nikon D90
Nikon D3S Nikon D90

discussion

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