• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 12.4 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 6400
  • 35mm 860.4mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • Detailed specifications
  • Pentax K-x
  • Nikon D3S
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Pentax K2000
K2000 vs K-x
Nikon D2Hs
D2Hs vs D3S
Successor: Pentax K-r
K-x vs K-r
Nikon D4
D3S vs D4
General
Model Number: K-x D3S
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $649.95 $5199.95
Street Price: $701.76  
Date Available: 2009-10-15 2009-11-30
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 27.9 oz (791 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
49.7 oz (1,410 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.8 x 3.6 x 2.7 in.
(122 x 92 x 69 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:    
Effective Megapixels: 12.4 12.1
Sensor Format: APS-C 35mm
Sensor size: 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) 860.4mm2 (36.00mm x 23.90mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.53 microns 8.46 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 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: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 72 82
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 22.8 23.5
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.5 12.0
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 811 3,253
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4288 x 2848 (12.2 MP, Other),
3936 x 2624 (10.3 MP, 3:2),
3072 x 2048 (6.3 MP, 3:2),
1728 x 1152 (2.0 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), 12-bit RAW (.PEF, .DNG) JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; compr
Continuous-mode frames/second: 4.3 9.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (24)
640x416 (24)
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: No Yes
HD Video Out: No Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Pentax K (KA/KAF/KAF2/3) Nikon F
Lens: smc Pentax DA L 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 84mm  
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm  
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x  
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 38 (T)  
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:    
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 52.0mm 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: SAFOX VIII TTL phase-detect 11 point (9 cross) AF: 11 pt auto, 5 pt auto, AF pt select, center/spot 51-point TTL phase detection via Nikon Multi-CAM 3500FX with 15 cross-type and 36 line-type sensors
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes No
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; fixed eye-level pentamirror, 96% coverage, 0.85x mag., -2.5 to +1.5 diopter 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): 0.57x 0.70x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.85x 0.70x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 2.7 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 230,000 dots 920,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 16.0x 27.0x
Top Deck Display: No Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 6400 12800
Minimum ISO (native): 200 200
ISO Settings: Auto (200-6400), 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400; expandable to 12800 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, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent (D, N, W, L), Flash, Custom Auto, twelve manual modes can be preset with fine-tuning; color temperature setting, custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/6000 - 30 sec 1/8000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 16-segment Multi, Center-weighted, Spot 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: Auto Picture (Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Action, Night Scene Portrait, Picture (Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Action, Night Scene Portrait, Standard Flash Off), Scene (Night Scene, Surf & Snow, Food, Sunset, Kids, Pet, Candlelight, Museum, Stage Lighting [JPG], Night Snap [JPG]), Sensitivity Priority None
Self Timer: 2 or 12 seconds 2/5/10/20 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes No
Flash Modes: On, off, redeye, slow sync, slow sync w redeye, slow sync w trailing curtain, wireless n/a
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 11.3 m / 37.1 ft. n/a
Flash Range Description: Depends on lens n/a
Max Flash Sync: 1/180 1/250
Flash Exposure Compensation: -2 to +1 EV in 0.5EV steps  
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe ISO-type hot-shoe contact; safety lock provided; PC Sync terminal
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure  
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC CF1
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: 12-bit RAW (.PEF, .DNG) 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: 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: No Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional IR Optional wired
Connections (extended): AC adapter available 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): 0.39 0.34
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.43 0.34
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 10 58
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   0.34
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No Yes
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 4.3 9.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 25 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): 0.10 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): 0.082 seconds 0.043 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.23 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.082 seconds 0.043 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Live View: Phase-detect Full AF: 0.448s Contrast-detect Full AF: 2.567s Prefocused: 0.427s 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: 0.6 seconds 0.3 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.2 seconds 0.3 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.3 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 420 shots (NiMH AA) 4200 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: 4 x AA Proprietary EN-EL4a
Usable Battery Types: Lithium, Alkaline disposables; NiMH rechargeables Lithium Ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 4 x AA Alkaline disposables 1 x Proprietary EN-EL4a Lithium Ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): No Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: CD-ROM PictureProject
OS Compatibility: Windows XP/Vista/7, MacOS-X 10.3+ Windows, Mac OS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Sensor-shift shake reduction, 720p HD video capture, Live View with face detection. Available in black or white. Limited edition colors of red and navy will become available at select locations to be announced.