• 35mm 860.4mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 45.7 megapixels
  • ISO 64 - 25,600
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D3S
  • Nikon D850
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Nikon D2Hs
D2Hs vs D3S
Nikon D810
D810 vs D850
Successor: Nikon D4
D3S vs D4
 
General
Model Number: D3S D850
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $5199.95 $3299.95
Street Price:   $2,596.95
Date Available: 2009-11-30 2017-09-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 49.7 oz (1,410 g)
includes batteries
32.3 oz (915 g)
Size: 6.3 x 6.2 x 3.4 in.
(160 x 157 x 88 mm)
5.7 x 4.9 x 3.1 in.
(146 x 124 x 79 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Sony
Effective Megapixels: 12.1 45.7
Sensor Format: 35mm 35mm
Sensor size: 860.4mm2 (36.00mm x 23.90mm) 858.01mm2 (35.90mm x 23.90mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 8.46 microns 4.35 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.0x 1.0x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed None
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 82 100
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 23.5 26.4
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.0 14.8
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 3,253 2,660
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4256 x 2832 (12.1 MP, 3:2),
3184 x 2120 (6.8 MP, 3:2),
2128 x 1416 (3.0 MP, 3:2),
2784 x 1848 (5.1 MP, Other),
2080 x 1384 (2.9 MP, 3:2),
1392 x 920 (1.3 MP, Other),
3552 x 2832 (10.1 MP, 5:4),
2656 x 2120 (5.6 MP, 5:4),
1776 x 1416 (2.5 MP, 5:4),
3552 x 2368 (8.4 MP, 3:2),
2656 x 1776 (4.7 MP, 3:2),
1776 x 1184 (2.1 MP, 3:2)
8256 x 5504 (45.4 MP, 3:2),
6192 x 4128 (25.6 MP, 3:2),
4128 x 2752 (11.4 MP, 3:2),
6880 x 4584 (31.5 MP, 3:2),
5152 x 3432 (17.7 MP, 3:2),
3440 x 2288 (7.9 MP, 3:2),
6880 x 5504 (37.9 MP, 5:4),
5152 x 4120 (21.2 MP, 5:4),
3440 x 2752 (9.5 MP, 5:4),
5504 x 5504 (30.3 MP, 1:1),
4128 x 4128 (17.0 MP, 1:1),
2752 x 2750 (7.6 MP, 1:1)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; compr JPEG (EXIF 2.31), NEF (RAW): 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed, or uncompressed; large, medium, and small available (medium and small images are recorded at a bit depth of 12 bits using lossless compression); TIFF
Continuous-mode frames/second: 9.0 7.1
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (24)
640x424 (24)
320x216 (24)
3840x2160 (30p/​25p)
1920x1080 (60p/​50p/​30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p)
1920x1080 (120p/​100p)
Movie File Format: Motion JPEG MOV/MP4 (H.265/MPEG-4 AVC, Linear PCM/AAC audio)
Composite Video Out: Yes No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: Yes n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Nikon F Nikon F
Lens: n/a n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):    
Focal Length (actual):    
Zoom Ratio:    
Aperture Range:    
Integrated ND Filter: No
Normal Focus Range:    
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: No Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a 1.2x, 1.5x (DX), 5:4, 1:1 crop modes
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 51-point TTL phase detection via Nikon Multi-CAM 3500FX with 15 cross-type and 36 line-type sensors Nikon Advanced Multi-CAM 20K autofocus sensor module with TTL phase detection and fine-tuning: 153 focus points (including 99 cross-type sensors and 15 sensors that support f/8), of which 55 (35 cross-type sensors and 9 f/8 sensors) are available for selection; Contrast-detect AF in Live View mode
Auto Focus Assist Light? No No
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, interchangeable screen, 100%, 0.7x, 18mm eyepoint, -3.0 to +1.0 SLR; eye-level pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.75x magnification, 17mm eyepoint, -3 to +1 diopter
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.70x 0.75x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.70x 0.75x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.2
Rear Display Resolution: 920,000 dots 2,359,000 dots (589,750 px)
Touchscreen: No Yes
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 27.0x 32.0x
Top Deck Display: Yes Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 12800 25600
Minimum ISO (native): 200 64
ISO Settings: Auto, 200 - 12,800, plus down to 100 in Lo-1, up to 102,400 in Hi-3 Auto, 64 - 25,600 in 1/3, 1/2 or 1EV steps, plus down to 32 in Lo-1, up to 102,400 in Hi-2
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, twelve manual modes can be preset with fine-tuning; color temperature setting, custom Auto (3), Incandescent, Fluorescent (7), Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Preset Manual (6) (Spot WB available in Live View), Color Temperature (2,500K-10,000K); Fine-tuning available for all options.
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/8000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 1005-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II, Center-weighted, Spot (1.5%) centered on selected focus area 180K-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering III, Center-weighted (weight of 75% given to 12-mm circle in center of frame; diameter of circle can be changed to 8, 15 or 20 mm, or weighting can be based on average of entire frame), Spot (4mm circle or about 1.5% frame, centered on selected focus area), Highlight-weighted: Available with type G, E, and D lenses
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: None None
Self Timer: 2/5/10/20 seconds 2/5/10/20 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):   Yes
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: No No
Flash Modes: n/a n/a
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: n/a n/a
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 1/250
Flash Exposure Compensation:   -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: ISO-type hot-shoe contact; safety lock provided; PC Sync terminal ISO-type hot-shoe, PC Sync terminal
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 XQD / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-II
Other Memory:   1 SD UHS-II slot, 1 XQD slot
Dual Card Slots: Yes Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; compr NEF (RAW): 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed, or uncompressed; large, medium, and small available (medium and small images are recorded at a bit depth of 12 bits using lossless compression); TIFF
Movie File Format: Motion JPEG MOV/MP4 (H.265/MPEG-4 AVC, Linear PCM/AAC audio)
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: No
Bluetooth: No Yes
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No Yes
Headphone Jack: No Yes
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 3.0 Super Speed,Bluetooth,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional wired Optional wired or wireless
Connections (extended): HDMI Out, DC Input, 10-pin Expansion Terminal, External Stereo Mic Mini HDMI (Type C), USB 3.0 Micro-B, 10-pin Expansion Terminal (GP-1 GPS compatible), Stereo Mic Mini Jack (3.5mm), Stereo Audio Out (3.5mm)
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.34 <0.3
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.34  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 58  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 0.34 <0.3
Camera penalizes early shutter press? Yes No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 9.0 7.1
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 90 200
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 9.1 7.1
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 41 200
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 9.1 7.1
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 36 53
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.20 seconds 0.08 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR): 0.51 seconds 0.73 seconds
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR): 0.423 seconds 0.145 seconds
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.043 seconds 0.052 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.043 seconds 0.046 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Optical Viewfinder AF lag: 51-point Auto-Area Full AF = 0.361s Live View AF Lag: Hand-held mode Full AF = 0.511s Tripod mode Full AF = 2.66s Tripod mode Prefocused = 0.423  
Startup Time: 0.3 seconds 0.2 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds 0.1 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:    
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 4200 shots 1840 shots
Battery Life, Video:   70 minutes
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL4a Proprietary
Usable Battery Types: Lithium Ion rechargeable EN-EL15a Lithium-ion rechargeable or MB-D18 battery grip
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL4a Lithium Ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary EN-EL15a Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No No
Software
Included Software: PictureProject  
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: