Full Review
Nikon D3
A Full Review covers everything, including operation. (more)
Nikon D3 Feature Comparison
The following table compares Nikon's current line-up of pro models. What we've done below is to present something of a hybrid comparison between these three models. A red cell means that a given camera performs below the other two, a green cell means that it performs better than the other two, and a yellow cell means it falls between the other two. In cases where two cameras share a superior capability, both their cells will be colored green. Sharp-eyed readers may find some areas where we haven't chosen to highlight a particular difference. Those cases are simply ones that we don't feel are significant in typical use of the camera.
| Nikon Pro SLR Camera Comparison | ||||
|
Manufacturer
|
Nikon
|
Nikon | Nikon | |
|
Model
|
D2Hs
|
D2Xs | D3 | |
| Imaging System |
Sensor Manufacturer
|
Nikon | Sony | Sony(?) |
|
Sensor Type
|
JFET LBCAST | CMOS | CMOS | |
|
Color Filter Array
|
RGB | RGB | RGB | |
|
Total Megapixels
|
4.26
|
12.84 | 12.87 | |
|
Effective Megapixels
|
4.1 | 12.4 | 12.1 | |
|
Pixel Size (µm)
|
9.4 x 9.4 | 5.49 x 5.49 | 8.45 x 8.45 | |
|
Effective Sensor Size (mm)
|
23.3 x 15.5
|
23.7 x 15.7 | 36.0 x 23.9 | |
|
Focal Length Multiplier (approx.)
|
1.5x
(Nikon DX) |
1.5x (Nikon DX) |
1.0x (Nikon FX) |
|
|
Image Processor
|
Not
stated
|
Not stated | EXPEED | |
| Viewfinder |
Type
|
Eye-level
pentaprism
|
Eye-level pentaprism | Eye-level pentaprism |
|
Coverage
|
~100%
|
~100% | ~100% | |
|
Magnification (-1 diopter with 50mm lens at infinity)
|
0.86x
|
0.86x | 0.70x (but full-frame) |
|
|
Eyepoint (mm)
|
19.9
|
19.9 | 18 | |
|
Dioptric Adjustment Range (diopters)
|
-3.0 to +1.0
|
-3.0 to +1.0 | -3.0 to +1.0 | |
|
Focusing Screen
|
BriteView Clear Matte Screen III Type-B; interchangeable with optional Type-E with grid
|
BriteView Clear Matte Screen III; supplied Type-B or optional Type-E with grid | Type B BriteView Clear Matte VI | |
|
Depth of Field Preview
|
Enabled
with depth-of-field preview button
|
Enabled with depth-of-field preview button | Enabled with depth-of-field preview button | |
|
Live View
(on LCD) |
No | No | Yes (2 Modes: Hand-held mode uses conventional AF sensor; Tripod mode uses contrast detect AF from image sensor) |
|
| Recording System |
Recording Media / Quantity / Slot Type
|
Type
I or II CF card / Microdrive
|
Type I or II CF card / Microdrive | Dual Type I or II CF card / Microdrive slots (UDMA supported) |
|
Compatible File System
|
FAT
16 / FAT 32
|
FAT 16 / FAT 32 |
FAT 16 / FAT 32
|
|
|
Recording Formats
|
RAW 12-bit (compressed or uncompressed NEF), TIFF, JPEG
|
RAW 12-bit (compressed or uncompressed NEF), TIFF, JPEG | RAW 12-bit or 14-bit (lossless compressed or compressed NEF), JPEG | |
|
Maximum Resolution
|
2464 x 1632
|
Full Image: HS Cropped Image: |
FX format (36 x 24): 4256 x 2832 5:4 format (30 x 24): DX format (24 x 16): |
|
|
Reduced Resolutions
|
1840 x 1224
|
Full Image: HS Cropped Image: |
FX format (36 x 24): 3184 x 2120; 2128 x 1416 5:4 format (30 x 24): DX format (24 x 16): |
|
|
RAW + JPEG Recording
|
Yes, Selectable JPEG resolution / compression
|
Yes, Selectable JPEG resolution / compression | Yes, Selectable JPEG resolution / compression | |
|
A/D Conversion
|
12-bit | 12-bit | 12- or 14-bit | |
|
Auto crop when DX lens mounted
|
n/a | n/a | Yes | |
| Color Space, Image Parameters & White Balance |
User-Selectable Color Space
|
Yes
sRGB (two variants) + Adobe RGB |
Yes sRGB (two variants) + Adobe RGB |
Yes sRGB + Adobe RGB |
|
Processing Parameters
(Contrast, Sharpness, Saturation, Hue) / # of Increments |
7 options for sharpening, 6 for contrast, 7 for hue, 5 for saturation. Second sRGB color space boosts saturation somewhat.
|
7 options for sharpening, 5 for contrast, 7 for hue, none for saturation. Second sRGB color space boosts saturation somewhat. | 9 options for sharpening, 7 for contrast, 7 for hue, 7 for saturation, 3 for brightness | |
|
Picture Control System
|
No | No | Yes | |
|
Active
D-Lighting |
No | No | Yes | |
|
Preset WB settings
|
6 (Direct sunlight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash)
|
6 (Incandescent, Fluorescent, Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade) | 6 (Incandescent, Fluorescent, Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade) | |
|
Manual Color Temperature Setting Range
|
2,500 ~ 10,000K in 250K increments
|
2,500 ~ 10,000K in 250K increments | 2,500 ~ 10,000K in 250K increments | |
|
WB Adjustment Range
|
±3
steps in 1-step increments
10 mireds per step |
±3 steps in 1-step increments, roughly 10 mireds per step
|
±3 steps in 1-step increments, roughly 10 mireds per step
|
|
| Autofocus System |
Type
|
TTL phase detection by Nikon Multi-CAM2000 autofocus module
|
TTL phase detection by Nikon Multi-CAM2000 autofocus module | TTL phase detection by Nikon Multi-CAM3500FX autofocus module |
|
# of Focusing Points (Focusing Point Type)
|
11 points (9 cross-type, 2 vertical-type)
|
11 points (9 cross-type, 2 vertical-type; 9 points active in cropped mode) | 51 points (15 cross-type, 36 line type) | |
|
Superimposed Focus Point
Display
|
Yes | Yes | Yes | |
|
AF Working Range
|
EV
-1 ~ 19 (ISO 100)
|
EV -1 ~ 19 (ISO 100) | EV -1 ~ 19 (ISO 100) | |
|
AF Servo Modes
|
Single Servo AF-S,
Continuous Servo AF-C; Focus Tracking automatically activated by subject's status |
Single Servo AF-S,
Continuous Servo AF-C; Focus Tracking automatically activated by subject's status |
Single Servo AF-S, Continuous Servo AF-C; Focus Tracking automatically activated by subject's status |
|
|
AF Area Modes
|
1) Single Area AF,
2) Dynamic-area AF, 3) Closest Subject Priority Dynamic AF, 4) Group Dynamic AF |
1) Single Area AF
2) Dynamic-area AF 3) Group Dynamic AF 4) Dynamic-area AF with closest subject priority |
1) Single-point AF, 2) Dynamic-area AF [number of AF areas: 9, 21, 51, 51 (3D-tracking)], 3) Automatic-area AF |
|
|
AF-assist Beam
|
Emitted by an optional dedicated Speedlight
|
Emitted by an optional dedicated Speedlight | Emitted by an optional dedicated Speedlight | |
|
Fine-tune front/back focus adjustment
|
No | No | Yes (settings for up to 20 lenses) | |
| Exposure Control |
Shooting Modes
|
4
- Program, shutter-priority AE, aperture-priority AE, manual mode.
|
4 - Program, shutter-priority AE, aperture-priority AE, manual mode. | 4 - Program, shutter-priority AE, aperture-priority AE, manual mode. |
|
Metering Zones
|
1,005
|
1,005 | 1,005 | |
|
Metering Modes
|
1) 3D Color Matrix Metering II (type G and D lenses); matrix metering (other CPU lenses); color matrix metering II available with non-CPU lenses if user provides lens data; metering performed by 1,005-segment RGB sensor
2) Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 8mm dia. circle in center of frame 3) Spot: Meters 3mm dia. circle (about 2.0% of frame) centered on active focus area (on center focus area when non-CPU lens is used) |
1) 3D Color Matrix Metering II (type G and D lenses); color matrix metering II (other CPU lenses); matrix metering available with non-CPU lenses if user provides lens data; metering performed by 1,005-segment RGB sensor 2) Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 6, 8, 10, or 13mm dia. circle in center of frame 3) Spot: Meters 3mm dia. circle (about 2.0% of frame) centered on active focus area (on center focus area when non-CPU lens is used) |
1) 3D Color Matrix Metering
II (type G and D lenses); color matrix metering II (other CPU lenses); color
matrix metering available with non-CPU lenses if user provides lens data;
metering performed by 1,005-segment RGB sensor 2) Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 8, 15, or 20mm dia. circle in center of frame 3) Spot: Meters 4mm dia. circle (about 1.5% of frame) centered on active focus area (on center focus area when non-CPU lens is used) |
|
|
Metering System Working Range
|
1) EV 0 to 20 (3D Color Matrix or center-weighted metering)
2) EV 2 to 20 (spot metering) |
1) EV 0 to 20 (3D Color Matrix or center-weighted metering) 2) EV 2 to 20 (spot metering) |
1) EV 0 to 20 (3D Color
Matrix or center-weighted metering) 2) EV 2 to 20 (spot metering) |
|
|
Nikon Scene Recognition System
|
No | No | Yes | |
|
ISO Range / Extended
|
200 ~ 1,600 / up to 6,400 in Hi-2 mode
|
100 ~ 800 / up to 3,200 in Hi-2 mode | 200 ~ 6,400 / down to 100 in Lo-1 mode; up to 25,600 in Hi -2 mode | |
|
Exposure Compensation
|
+/-
5EV in 1/2 or 1/3EV increments
|
+/- 5EV in 1, 1/2 or 1/3EV increments | +/- 5EV in 1, 1/2 or 1/3EV increments | |
|
Automatic Exposure Bracketing
|
2 to 9 exposures in increments of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1EV
|
2 to 9 exposures in increments of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1EV | 2 to 9 exposures in increments of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1EV | |
| Shutter Speeds, Frame Rate, Shutter Lag |
Shutter Type
|
Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter
|
Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter
|
Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter |
|
Shutter Durability
|
Not specified
|
~150K cycles | ~300K cycles | |
|
Shutter Speed Range
|
1/8000 ~ 30 sec. in steps of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV, bulb
|
1/8000 ~ 30 sec. in steps of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV, bulb | 1/8000 ~ 30 sec. in steps of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV, bulb | |
|
Maximum Frames Per Second / Buffer depth
|
8 fps / 50 JPEG or 40 RAW
(manufacturer spec) |
5.3 fps / >20 JPEG or 16 RAW frames at full resolution; 8.0 fps / 34 JPEG or 29 RAW frames in High-Speed Cropped mode |
9 fps / 30 JPEG or 17 RAW frames at full resolution; up to 11 fps in 5.1MP DX Cropped mode
(measured) |
|
|
Full AF shutter lag (seconds)
|
Not specified | 0.045
(measured) |
0.085
(measured) |
|
|
Prefocused shutter lag (seconds)
|
0.037
(manufacturer spec) |
0.045
(measured) |
0.043
(measured) |
|
|
Startup Time (seconds)
|
Not specified | 0.2
(measured) |
0.3
(measured) |
|
| Flash |
i-TTL / Advanced Wireless Lighting
|
Yes / Yes
(with SB-800 Flash or SU-800 Wireless Commander) |
Yes / Yes (with SB-800 Flash or SU-800 Wireless Commander) |
Yes / Yes (with SB-800 Flash or SU-800 Wireless Commander) |
|
Built-in Flash / Guide Number at ISO 100.
|
No
|
No | No | |
|
Max flash x-sync speed. (sec.)
|
1/250
|
1/250
|
1/250
|
|
|
Flash Exposure Compensation
|
n/a
|
n/a | n/a | |
|
Slow-sync flash
|
1st or 2nd curtain
|
1st or 2nd curtain | 1st or 2nd curtain | |
|
PC Sync Terminal
|
Yes
|
Yes | Yes | |
| Playback System |
LCD Size / Pixel Count
|
2.5 in LCD / 232,000 pixels
|
2.5 in LCD / 235,000 pixels | 3.0 in LCD / 920,000 pixels |
|
Enlarged Playback / Scroll
|
1.1 - 15x for large images, 12x for medium / Yes
|
1.1 - 27x for large images, 20x for medium images, or 13x for small ones / Yes
|
Yes (details TBA) / Yes
|
|
|
LCD Monitor Brightness Adjustment Range
|
5
steps
|
5 steps
|
Yes (details TBA)
|
|
|
Automatic Rotation for Vertical Shots
|
Yes
|
Yes | Yes | |
|
Video Out
|
Analog NTSC/PAL | Analog NTSC/PAL | Analog NTSC/PAL, HDMI | |
| Other Features |
Computer Connection
|
Yes, USB 2.0 High -Speed, PTP-compliant
|
Yes, USB 2.0 High -Speed, PTP-compliant | Yes, USB 2.0 High -Speed, PTP-compliant |
|
Direct Printing (PictBridge-compliant printers)
|
Yes
|
Yes | Yes | |
|
Menu Languages
|
10 (Chinese, German, English, Spanish, French, Korean, Italian, Japanese, Dutch, Swedish)
|
10 (Chinese, German, English, Spanish, French, Korean, Italian, Japanese, Dutch, Swedish)
|
15 (Chinese [Simplified and Traditional], Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish)
|
|
|
Camera Default Reset
|
Yes
|
Yes | Yes | |
|
Custom Functions (Quantity / Settings)
|
Yes (41)
|
Yes (41) | Yes (TBA) | |
|
Remote Control
|
Yes, 10-pin terminal
|
Yes, 10-pin terminal | Yes, 10-pin terminal | |
|
Info LCD Panel / Illumination
|
Yes (large top panel, smaller rear panel) / Yes (both panels)
|
Yes (large top panel, smaller rear panel) / Yes (both panels) |
Yes (large top panel, smaller rear panel) / Yes (both panels)
|
|
|
Ultrasonic dust-removal
|
No
|
No | No | |
|
Virtual Horizon digital level sensor
|
No | No | Yes | |
|
In-camera Lateral C.A. Correction
|
No
|
No
|
Yes | |
|
Self Diagnostic Shutter Monitor
|
No
|
No
|
Yes | |
| Body Structure |
Body Cover / Chassis
|
Magnesium Alloy, full environmental seals
|
Magnesium Alloy, full environmental seals | Magnesium Alloy, full environmental seals |
| Power System |
Battery
|
EN-EL4
|
EN-EL4a | EN-EL4a |
|
Rated Shooting Capacity at 20°C/68°F (shots)
|
100% AE: 2900
|
100% AE: 3800 | 100% AE: TBA | |
| Dimensions & Weight |
Dimensions (WxHxD, mm)
|
157.5 x 149.5 x 85.5
|
157.5 x 149.5 x 85.5 | 159.5 x 157 x 87.5 |
|
Weight (body only)
|
1070 g
|
1070 g | 1240 g | |
| Operational Environment |
Operating Temperature Range
|
0 ~ 40°C
|
0 ~ 40°C | 0 ~ 40°C |
|
Operating Humidity Range
|
85% max.
|
85% max. | 85% max. | |
| Lens Compatibility |
Lens Mount / Compatibility
|
1) AF Nikkor (including AF-S, DX, VR and D-/G-type): All functions possible 2) D-type Manual-Focus Nikkor: All functions except autofocus and some exposure modes available 3) AF Nikkor other than D-/G-type: All functions except 3D-Color Matrix Metering II and 3D Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash possible 4) AI-P Nikkor: All functions except 3D-Color Matrix Metering II, 3D Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash and AF possible 5) Non-CPU AI Nikkor: Can be used in exposure modes A and M; electronic rangefinder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster; Color Matrix Metering and aperture value display supported if user provides lens data. |
1) AF Nikkor (including AF-S, DX, VR and D-/G-type): All functions possible 2) D-type Manual-Focus Nikkor: All functions except autofocus and some exposure modes available 3) AF Nikkor other than D-/G-type: All functions except 3D-Color Matrix Metering II and 3D Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash possible 4) AI-P Nikkor: All functions except 3D-Color Matrix Metering II, 3D Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash and AF possible 5) Non-CPU AI Nikkor: Can be used in exposure modes A and M; electronic rangefinder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster; Color Matrix Metering and aperture value display supported if user provides lens data. |
1) Type G or D AF Nikkor: All functions supported 2) DX AF Nikkor: All functions supported except FX-format (36x24)/5:4 (30x24) image size 3) AF Nikkor other than type G or D (excluding lenses for F3AF): All functions supported except 3D Color Matrix Metering II 4) AI-P Nikkor: All functions supported except autofocus and 3D Color Matrix Metering II 5) Non-CPU AI Nikkor: Can be used in exposure modes A and M; electronic rangefinder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster; Color Matrix Metering and aperture value display supported if user provides lens data. Up to 9 non-CPU lenses can be registered. |
|
Auto switch to DX-format crop when DX lens mounted
|
n/a | n/a | Yes | |
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Note: For details, test results, and analysis of the many tests done with this camera, please click on the tabs at the beginning of the review or below.
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