• 35mm 860.4mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 14.8 megapixels
  • 75.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D3S
  • Sigma DP3 Merrill
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Nikon D2Hs
D2Hs vs D3S 		 
Successor: Nikon D4
D3S vs D4 		 
General
Model Number: D3S DP3 Merrill
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR Mid-Sized
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $5199.95 $999.99
Street Price:   $899.00
Date Available: 2009-11-30 2013-03-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 49.7 oz (1,410 g)
includes batteries 		14.1 oz (400 g)
Size: 6.3 x 6.2 x 3.4 in.
(160 x 157 x 88 mm) 		4.8 x 2.6 x 3.2 in.
(122 x 67 x 81 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Foveon X3
Effective Megapixels: 12.1 14.8
Sensor Format: 35mm APS-C
Sensor size: 860.4mm2 (36.00mm x 23.90mm) 368.95mm2 (23.50mm x 15.70mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 8.46 microns 5.00 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.0x n/a
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG Full Color
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Not needed
Self-Cleaning: Yes No
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
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) 		4704 x 3136 (14.8 MP, 3:2),
3264 x 2176 (7.1 MP, 3:2),
2336 x 1568 (3.7 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; compr JPEG, 12-bit RAW (.X3F), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 9.0 4.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (24)
640x424 (24)
320x216 (24) 		640x480 (30)
Movie File Format: Motion JPEG AVI (Motion JPEG) with monaural sound
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: Yes
HD Video Out: Yes No
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Nikon F n/a
Lens: n/a Sigma Lens; 10 elements in 8 groups
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):   75mm
Focal Length (actual):   50mm
Zoom Ratio:   Non-Zoom
Aperture Range:   f/2.8 - f/16, with 7-bladed diaphragm
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   100 cm to Infinity
39.4 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:   23 cm to Infinity
8.9 in to Infinity
Filter Thread: n/a 52.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
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 Contrast Detection: 9 points select mode, Free move mode (It is possible to change the size of Focus Frame to Spot, Regular and Large.)
Auto Focus Assist Light? No No
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD No / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, interchangeable screen, 100%, 0.7x, 18mm eyepoint, -3.0 to +1.0  
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.70x  
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.70x  
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 920,000 dots 921,600 dots (307,200 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 27.0x 10.0x
Top Deck Display: Yes No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 12800 6400
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 (with programmable low and high limits), 100-6400 in 1 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, Sunlight, Shade, Overcast, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/2000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 1005-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II, Center-weighted, Spot (1.5%) centered on selected focus area Evaluative, center-weighted average, spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: None No scene modes or effects. Note that maximum shutter speed varies with aperture. Top shutter speeds are 1/2000s at f/5.6-f/16, 1/1600s at f/4.0-f/16 and 1/1250s at f/2.8-f/16.
Self Timer: 2/5/10/20 seconds 2 or 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):   Yes
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: No No
Flash Modes: n/a Normal, Redeye, Slow Sync., Redeye + Slow Sync (with compatible external flash unit)
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: n/a n/a
Max Flash Sync: 1/250  
Flash Exposure Compensation:   +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: ISO-type hot-shoe contact; safety lock provided; PC Sync terminal Hot Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   No UHS support
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: Yes No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; compr 12-bit RAW (.X3F), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: Motion JPEG AVI (Motion JPEG) with monaural sound
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 No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes No
Remote Control Type: Optional wired  
Connections (extended): HDMI Out, DC Input, 10-pin Expansion Terminal, External Stereo Mic Combined USB/AV
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 4.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 90 7
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 9.1 4.0
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 41 7
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 9.1 4.0
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 36 7
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):   97 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 4200 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL4a Proprietary BP-41
Usable Battery Types: Lithium Ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL4a Lithium Ion rechargeable 2 x Proprietary BP-41 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 SIGMA Photo Pro
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS Windows, Mac OS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: 3 x 14.8 megapixel Foveon X3 sensor, Dual TRUE II image processors, 50mm f/2.8 macro lens, Quick Set menu, new Face Detection AF, AF+MF mode, VGA movies.