• 35mm 860.4mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 24.5 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D3S
  • Nikon D780
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Nikon D2Hs
D2Hs vs D3S
Nikon D750
D750 vs D780
Successor: Nikon D4
D3S vs D4
 
General
Model Number: D3S D780
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR SLR
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $5199.95 $2299.95
Street Price:   $1,946.95
Date Available: 2009-11-30 2020-01-25
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 49.7 oz (1,410 g)
includes batteries
29.6 oz (840 g)
Size: 6.3 x 6.2 x 3.4 in.
(160 x 157 x 88 mm)
5.6 x 4.5 x 3.0 in.
(144 x 116 x 76 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:    
Effective Megapixels: 12.1 24.5
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 5.94 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.0x 1.0x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No Yes
DxO Sensor Score: 82  
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 23.5  
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.0  
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 3,253  
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)
6048 x 4024 (24.3 MP, 3:2),
4528 x 3016 (13.7 MP, 3:2),
3014 x 2016 (6.1 MP, 3:2),
6048 x 3400 (20.6 MP, 16:9),
4528 x 2544 (11.5 MP, 16:9),
3024 x 1696 (5.1 MP, 16:9),
4016 x 4016 (16.1 MP, 1:1),
3008 x 3008 (9.0 MP, 1:1),
2000 x 2000 (4.0 MP, 1:1),
3936 x 2624 (10.3 MP, 3:2),
2944 x 1968 (5.8 MP, 3:2),
1968 x 1312 (2.6 MP, 3:2)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; compr JPEG (EXIF 2.3), RAW (NEF), lossless compressed, compressed 14 or 12-bit; RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 9.0 12.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (24)
640x424 (24)
320x216 (24)
3840x2160 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1920x1080 (120p/​100p/​60p/​50p/​30p/​25p/​24p)
Movie File Format: Motion JPEG MOV (H.264/MPEG-4 AVC video with Linear PCM 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 Nikkor AF-S 24-120mm f/4G ED VR; 17 elements in 13 groups, including 3 aspherical and 2 ED elements
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):   24 - 120mm
Focal Length (actual):   24 - 120mm
Zoom Ratio:   5.00x
Aperture Range:   f/4 - f/22
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   45 cm to Infinity
17.7 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a 77.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: No No
Digital Zoom Values: n/a n/a
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 OVF: 51-point (15 cross-type, f/8 supported by 11 points) TTL phase detection with 3D focus tracking via Nikon Advanced Multi-CAM 3500FX II; Hybrid phase/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 type; fixed eye-level pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.70x magnification, 21mm eyepoint, -3 to +1 diopter
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.70x 0.70x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.70x 0.70x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.2
Rear Display Resolution: 920,000 dots 2,359,296 dots (786,432 px)
Touchscreen: No Yes
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 27.0x  
Top Deck Display: Yes Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 12800 51200
Minimum ISO (native): 200 100
ISO Settings: Auto, 200 - 12,800, plus down to 100 in Lo-1, up to 102,400 in Hi-3 ISO 100 - 51,200, Lo-1 (ISO 50), Hi-1 (ISO 102,400), Hi-2 (ISO 204,800), Auto (adjustable)
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, twelve manual modes can be preset with fine-tuning; color temperature setting, custom Auto (3 types), natural light auto, direct sunlight, cloudy, shade, incandescent, fluorescent (7 types), flash, choose color temperature (2500K-10,000K), preset manual (up to 6 values can be stored, spot white balance measurement available during live view photography), all except choose color temperature with fine-tuning
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/8000 - 900 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 180,000-pixel RGB sensor; 3D Color Matrix Metering II (type G, E, and D lenses), Color Matrix Metering II (other CPU lenses); Center-weighted, Spot (1.5%) centered on selected focus area; Highlight-weighted
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: None EFCT Special effect modes: night vision; super vivid; pop; photo illustration; toy camera effect; miniature effect; selective color; silhouette; high key; low key; U1 and U2 user settings; Active D-Lighting
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 Front-curtain sync, Slow sync, Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: n/a n/a
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 1/200
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
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-II
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: Yes Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; compr RAW (NEF), lossless compressed, compressed 14 or 12-bit; RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: Motion JPEG MOV (H.264/MPEG-4 AVC video with Linear PCM 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 Via Wi-Fi/Bluetooth; optional wired or wireless
Connections (extended): HDMI Out, DC Input, 10-pin Expansion Terminal, External Stereo Mic USB 3.1 Gen1 USB-C, Type-C Mini HDMI, Accessory Terminal, 3.5mm Stereo Mic Jack, 3.5mm Stereo Headphone Jack, Built-in Wi-Fi
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.34  
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  
Camera penalizes early shutter press? Yes
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 9.0 12.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 90  
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 9.1 12.0
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 41  
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 9.1 12.0
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 36  
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.20 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR): 0.51 seconds  
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR): 0.423 seconds  
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.043 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.043 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  
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power:    
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 4200 shots 2260 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL4a Proprietary EN-EL15b/EN-EL15a/EN-EL15
Usable Battery Types: Lithium Ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable (ext. battery grip not supported)
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL4a Lithium Ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary EN-EL15b Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No Yes
Software
Included Software: PictureProject Nikon software available for download
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: