• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.5 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • 35mm 860.4mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D3X
  • Nikon D3S
Links
Prices: Compare Prices  
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Nikon D2Xs
D2Xs vs D3X
Nikon D2Hs
D2Hs vs D3S
Successor:   Nikon D4
D3S vs D4
General
Model Number: D3X D3S
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $7999.95 $5199.95
Street Price: $2,499.99  
Date Available: 2008-12-15 2009-11-30
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 49.1 oz (1,392 g)
includes batteries
49.7 oz (1,410 g)
includes batteries
Size: 6.3 x 6.2 x 3.4 in.
(160 x 157 x 88 mm)
6.3 x 6.2 x 3.4 in.
(160 x 157 x 88 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony  
Effective Megapixels: 24.5 12.1
Sensor Format: 35mm 35mm
Sensor size: 861.6mm2 (35.90mm x 24.00mm) 860.4mm2 (36.00mm x 23.90mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.94 microns 8.46 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: No Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 88 82
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 24.7 23.5
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 13.7 12.0
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 1,992 3,253
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 6048 x 4032 (24.4 MP, 3:2),
4544 x 3024 (13.7 MP, 3:2),
3024 x 2016 (6.1 MP, 3:2),
5056 x 4032 (20.4 MP, 5:4),
3792 x 3024 (11.5 MP, 5:4),
2528 x 2016 (5.1 MP, 5:4),
3968 x 2640 (10.5 MP, 3:2),
2976 x 1976 (5.9 MP, Other),
1984 x 1320 (2.6 MP, 3:2)
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)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), TIFF; RAW (NEF), 12- or 14-bit JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; compr
Continuous-mode frames/second: 5.0 9.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (24)
640x424 (24)
320x216 (24)
Movie File Format:   Motion JPEG
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: Yes Yes
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 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 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 51-point TTL phase detection via Nikon Multi-CAM 3500FX with 15 cross-type and 36 line-type sensors
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; 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 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 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 922,000 dots 920,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 27.0x 27.0x
Top Deck Display: Yes Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 1600 12800
Minimum ISO (native): 100 200
ISO Settings: 100 - 1600, plus down to 50 in Lo-1, up to 6,400 in Hi-2 Auto, 200 - 12,800, plus down to 100 in Lo-1, up to 102,400 in Hi-3
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, seven manual modes can be preset with fine-tuning; color temperature setting, custom Auto, twelve manual modes can be preset with fine-tuning; color temperature setting, custom
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 1005-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II, Center-weighted, Spot (1.5%) centered on selected focus area
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):    
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:    
External Flash Connection: ISO-type hot-shoe contact; safety lock provided; PC Sync terminal ISO-type hot-shoe contact; safety lock provided; PC Sync terminal
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / CF2 / Microdrive CF1
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: Yes Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: TIFF; RAW (NEF), 12- or 14-bit RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; compr
Movie File Format:   Motion JPEG
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC:
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: Yes No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Wired, 10-pin terminal or USB Optional wired
Connections (extended): HDMI Out (Type-A), DC Input, 10-pin Expansion Terminal HDMI Out, DC Input, 10-pin Expansion Terminal, External Stereo Mic
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): <0.3 0.34
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): <0.3 0.34
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 31 58
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   0.34
Camera penalizes early shutter press? Yes Yes
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 5.0 9.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 31 90
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   9.1
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   41
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   9.1
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   36
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.16 seconds 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): 0.050 seconds 0.043 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.045 seconds 0.043 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Live View Mode Full AF, Single-Area, Hand-Held Mode = 0.426s Full AF, Auto-Area, Hand-Held Mode = 0.606s Prefocused, Hand-Held Mode = 0.045s Prefocused, Tripod Mode = 0.418s 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 0.3 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds 0.3 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:    
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 4400 shots 4200 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL4a Proprietary EN-EL4a
Usable Battery Types: Lithium Ion rechargeable Lithium Ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL4a Lithium Ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary EN-EL4a 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: Software Suite CD-ROM PictureProject
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS Windows, Mac OS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: 24.5MP version of the D3. 5fps full resolution burst speed, 7fps in DX crop mode at 10.5 megapixels.