Nikon D700 vs Nikon D3S

Cameras
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Nikon D700 vs Nikon D3S

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35mm 860.4mm²
12.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Nikon D700 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D700.

35mm 860.4mm²
12.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Nikon D3S Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D3S.

Succeeded by the Nikon D800
Compare D700 vs D800

Succeeded by the Nikon D4
Compare D3S vs D4

Compare NIKON D800 vs NIKON D4

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Differences

Nikon D700 advantages over Nikon D3S

Less expensive
$3000 vs $5200 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Nikon D3S advantages over Nikon D700

Fast startup
~0.30 vs 0.4 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
D3S test data on DxO Mark D700 test data on DxO Mark

3,253 vs 2,303 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

4200 vs 1000 shots
Capture more photos
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Faster JPEG shooting
9.0 fps vs 5.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Top deck display
Both provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Pentaprism viewfinder
Both provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

Read our Nikon D700 Review

Read our Nikon D3S Full Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony A900

Nikon D700

Sony A900

$3000
35mm

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

$3000
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
More pixels

Compare Nikon D700 vs Sony A900

Nikon D3S

Sony A900

$5200
35mm

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

$3000
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3S vs Sony A900

Compared to Nikon D3X

Nikon D700

Nikon D3X

$3000
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$2500
35mm

Fast startup
More dynamic range

Compare Nikon D700 vs Nikon D3X

Nikon D3S

Nikon D3X

$5200
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$2500
35mm

More dynamic range
External Mic Jack

Compare Nikon D3S vs Nikon D3X

Compared to Sony A850

Nikon D700

Sony A850

$3000
35mm

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

$2219
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D700 vs Sony A850

Nikon D3S

Sony A850

$5200
35mm

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

$2219
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3S vs Sony A850

Compared to Canon 1DX

Nikon D700

Canon 1DX

$3000
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$5299
35mm

Higher effective ISO
External Mic Jack

Compare Nikon D700 vs Canon 1DX

Nikon D3S

Canon 1DX

$5200
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$5299
35mm

External Mic Jack
Shoots 1080p video

Compare Nikon D3S vs Canon 1DX

Compared to Nikon D4

Nikon D700

Nikon D4

$3000
35mm

Bigger pixels
Internal flash

$4500
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D700 vs Nikon D4

Nikon D3S

Nikon D4

$5200
35mm

Bigger pixels
Longer stills battery life

$4500
35mm

External Mic Jack
Shoots 1080p video

Compare Nikon D3S vs Nikon D4

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