• 35mm 860.4mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D3S
  • Pentax K-3
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Nikon D2Hs
D2Hs vs D3S
 
Successor: Nikon D4
D3S vs D4
Pentax K-3 II
K-3 vs K-3 II
General
Model Number: D3S K-3
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $5199.95 $1149.95
Street Price:   $699.00
Date Available: 2009-11-30 2013-11-01
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 49.7 oz (1,410 g)
includes batteries
43.7 oz (1,240 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 6.3 x 6.2 x 3.4 in.
(160 x 157 x 88 mm)
5.2 x 3.9 x 3.1 in.
(132 x 100 x 77 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:    
Effective Megapixels: 12.1 24.4
Sensor Format: 35mm APS-C
Sensor size: 860.4mm2 (36.00mm x 23.90mm) 366.6mm2 (23.50mm x 15.60mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 8.46 microns 3.91 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.0x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Optional
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 82 80
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 23.5 23.7
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.0 13.4
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 3,253 1,216
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)
6016 x 4000 (24.1 MP, 3:2),
4608 x 3072 (14.2 MP, 3:2),
3072 x 2048 (6.3 MP, 3:2),
1920 x 1280 (2.5 MP, 3:2)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; compr JPEG (EXIF 2.30), 14-bit RAW (.PEF, .DNG), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 9.0 7.1
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (24)
640x424 (24)
320x216 (24)
1920x1080 (60i/​50i/​30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p/​30p/​25p/​24p)
Movie File Format: Motion JPEG MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 (MOV), Motion JPEG (AVI) for interval movie record
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 Pentax K (KA/KAF/KAF2/3)
Lens: n/a smc Pentax 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED AL [IF] DC DA WR
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):   27 - 203mm
Focal Length (actual):   18 - 135mm
Zoom Ratio:   7.50x
Aperture Range:   f/3.5 - f/22 (wide) / f/5.6 - f/40 (tele)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   40 cm to Infinity
15.7 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a 62.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: No
Digital Zoom Values: 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 SAFOX 11 TTL phase-matching - 27 point (25 cross type focus points in the center)
Auto Focus Assist Light? No Yes
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; eye-level pentaprism, ~100% coverage, 0.95x mag., TBDmm eyepoint, -2.5 to +1.5 diopter
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.70x 0.63x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.70x 0.95x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.2
Rear Display Resolution: 920,000 dots 1,036,800 dots (345,600 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 27.0x 16.0x
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 Auto, 100-51200 (1, 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps)
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, twelve manual modes can be preset with fine-tuning; color temperature setting, custom Auto, Multi Auto WB, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Fluorescent Light (D: Daylight Color, N:Daylight White, W:Cool White, L:Warm White), Tungsten Light, Flash, CTE, Manual (up to 3 settings), Color Temperature (up to 3 settings)
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 TTL open-aperture: Multi-segment with 86K-pixel RGB sensor, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: None Sensitivity Priority, Shutter and Aperture Priority; Digital filters (capture): Extract Color, Toy Camera, Retro, High Contrast, Shading, Invert Color, Unicolor Bold, Bold Monochrome; HDR: Auto, HDR1, HDR2, HDR3.
Self Timer: 2/5/10/20 seconds 2 or 12 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):   Yes
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: No Yes
Flash Modes: n/a P-TTL, Red-eye reduction, Slow-speed sync, Rear Curtain Sync. High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync also available with PENTAX dedicated external flash.
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a 13.0 m / 42.7 ft.
Flash Range Description: n/a Depends on lens
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 1/180
Flash Exposure Compensation:   -2 to +1 EV in 0.5EV steps
External Flash Connection: ISO-type hot-shoe contact; safety lock provided; PC Sync terminal Hot Shoe, PC Sync socket
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   Full TTL exposure
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: Yes Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; compr 14-bit RAW (.PEF, .DNG), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: Motion JPEG MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 (MOV), Motion JPEG (AVI) for interval movie record
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No
Bluetooth: No No
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
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional wired Optional Wired or IR
Connections (extended): HDMI Out, DC Input, 10-pin Expansion Terminal, External Stereo Mic Micro (Type D) HMDI, USB 3.0 Micro B, DC input, wired remote jack, 3.5mm external stereo mic jack, 3.5mm stereo headphone jack
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.34 0.79
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.34 0.64
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 58 Unlimited
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 0.34 0.69
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 75
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 9.1 7.1
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 41 24
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 9.1 7.1
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 36 25
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.20 seconds 0.14 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR): 0.51 seconds 1.01 seconds
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR): 0.423 seconds 0.226 seconds
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.043 seconds 0.097 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):   0.33 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.043 seconds 0.096 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 Full AF lag, Wide-area mode, OVF = 0.157s Live View: Center mode AF lag = 1.014s Wide-area mode AF lag = 1.005s Prefocused = 0.226s
Startup Time: 0.3 seconds 0.9 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds 0.6 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:   2.3 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 4200 shots 560 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL4a Proprietary D-LI90
Usable Battery Types: Lithium Ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL4a Lithium Ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary D-LI90 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 Software CD-ROM S-SW140
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Image stabilization system also acts as a selectable AA filter, 8.3 fps full-res burst mode, new 27-point AF system, new 86,000 pixel RGB metering system, Full HD video up to 60i with H.264 encoding, dual SD card slots, freeze-proof, dust-proof, weather-resistant magnesium alloy construction, USB 3.0 port.