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Nikon S6500 vs Nikon D3

Portability
92
Imaging
40
Features
51
Overall
44
Nikon Coolpix S6500 front
 
Nikon D3 front
Portability
50
Imaging
56
Features
63
Overall
58

Nikon S6500 vs Nikon D3 Key Specs

Nikon S6500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-300mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 250g - 95 x 58 x 26mm
  • Revealed January 2013
Nikon D3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 6400 (Boost to 25600)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1300g - 160 x 157 x 88mm
  • Launched April 2008
  • Successor is Nikon D3S
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Nikon S6500 vs Nikon D3 Overview

Lets look more closely at the Nikon S6500 and Nikon D3, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Pro DSLR and both of them are sold by Nikon. There is a crucial difference between the resolutions of the S6500 (16MP) and D3 (12MP) and the S6500 (1/2.3") and D3 (Full frame) posses different sensor dimensions.

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The S6500 was introduced 4 years later than the D3 and that is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Nikon S6500 being a Compact camera and the Nikon D3 being a Large SLR camera.

Before diving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short overview of how the S6500 grades vs the D3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S6500 over the Nikon D3

 S6500 D3 
LaunchedJanuary 2013April 2008Fresher by 58 months

Reasons to pick Nikon D3 over the Nikon S6500

 D3 S6500 
Screen resolution922k460kCrisper screen (+462k dot)

Common features in the Nikon S6500 and Nikon D3

 S6500 D3 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Nikon S6500 vs Nikon D3 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to take into account its weight and volume. The Nikon S6500 enjoys physical measurements of 95mm x 58mm x 26mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 1.0") and a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) while the Nikon D3 has sizing of 160mm x 157mm x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5") with a weight of 1300 grams (2.87 lbs).

See the Nikon S6500 and Nikon D3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the S6500 versus the D3.

Nikon S6500 vs Nikon D3 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the S6500 and D3 is 92 and 50 respectively.

Nikon S6500 vs Nikon D3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S6500 vs Nikon D3 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be hard to visualize the difference between sensor sizing only by going over specs. The graphic below should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the S6500 and D3.

All in all, the two cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The S6500 having a tinier sensor is going to make shooting bokeh tougher and the Nikon S6500 will deliver greater detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs more aggressively. The newer S6500 provides an edge in sensor technology.

Nikon S6500 vs Nikon D3 sensor size comparison

Nikon S6500 vs Nikon D3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S6500 vs Nikon D3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S6500 Portrait photography highlights
Nikon D3 Portrait photography highlights
44
focusing manually
MP count decent (16MP)
comes with face detection autofocus
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
63
has manual focus
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Nikon S6500 Street photography factors
Nikon D3 Street photography factors
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (250g)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
54
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
environment proof
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S6500 Sports photography highlights
Nikon D3 Sports photography highlights
50
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
65
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
big sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proof
great battery pack (4,300 per charge)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S6500 Travel photography highlights
Nikon D3 Travel photography highlights
69
lighter than competition in class (250g)
MP count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
long reach (300mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
51
great battery pack (4,300 shots)
environment proof
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S6500 Landscape photography info
Nikon D3 Landscape photography info
50
focusing manually
really wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
67
has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
environment proof
great battery pack (4,300 CIPA)
2 card slots
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S6500 as a Vlogging camera
Nikon D3 as a Vlogging camera
34
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (250 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have external microphone support
9
can't shoot video
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Nikon S6500 vs Nikon D3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S6500 and Nikon D3
 Nikon Coolpix S6500Nikon D3
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Model Nikon Coolpix S6500 Nikon D3
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Pro DSLR
Revealed 2013-01-08 2008-04-18
Physical type Compact Large SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Expeed
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 36 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 860.4mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 5:4 and 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4256 x 2832
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW images
Minimum enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 51
Cross focus points - 15
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Nikon F
Lens focal range 25-300mm (12.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 309
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech AMOLED display -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 10.0fps 11.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.50 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 250g (0.55 pounds) 1300g (2.87 pounds)
Physical dimensions 95 x 58 x 26mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 1.0") 160 x 157 x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 81
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.5
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.2
DXO Low light score not tested 2290
Other
Battery life - 4300 shots
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model SLB-10A -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 to 20 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Compact Flash (Type I or II) x2
Card slots One 2
Retail pricing $170 $5,450