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Nikon D3 vs Nikon D3S

Portability
50
Imaging
56
Features
63
Overall
58
Nikon D3 front
 
Nikon D3S front
Portability
51
Imaging
57
Features
63
Overall
59

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D3S Key Specs

Nikon D3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 6400 (Raise to 25600)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1300g - 160 x 157 x 88mm
  • Announced April 2008
  • Successor is Nikon D3S
Nikon D3S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Expand to 102400)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1240g - 160 x 157 x 88mm
  • Announced February 2010
  • Superseded the Nikon D3
  • Renewed by Nikon D4
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Nikon D3 vs Nikon D3S Overview

Below is a in depth comparison of the Nikon D3 versus Nikon D3S, both Pro DSLR digital cameras and they are both created by Nikon. The sensor resolution of the D3 (12MP) and the D3S (12MP) is fairly similar and they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (Full frame).

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The D3 was brought out 22 months before the D3S making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Large SLR).

Before we go straight into a full comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the D3 grades vs the D3S in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3 over the Nikon D3S

 D3 D3S 
Display resolution922k921kClearer display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon D3S over the Nikon D3

 D3S D3 
AnnouncedFebruary 2010April 2008More recent by 22 months

Common features in the Nikon D3 and Nikon D3S

 D3 D3S 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D3S Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to lug around your camera often, you are going to need to take into account its weight and size. The Nikon D3 offers external dimensions of 160mm x 157mm x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5") having a weight of 1300 grams (2.87 lbs) and the Nikon D3S has specifications of 160mm x 157mm x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5") accompanied by a weight of 1240 grams (2.73 lbs).

Check out the Nikon D3 versus Nikon D3S in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the D3 and the D3S.

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D3S size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D3 and D3S is 50 and 51 respectively.

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D3S top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D3S Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be difficult to envision the difference between sensor measurements merely by going over specs. The visual below should provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the D3 and D3S.

All in all, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same MP and you can expect similar quality of images however you should really factor the age of the products into consideration. The older D3 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D3S sensor size comparison

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D3S Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D3S Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D3
Portrait photography with Nikon D3S
63
manual focus
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
64
has manual focus
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3 Street photography highlights
Nikon D3S Street photography highlights
54
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
55
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3 Sports photography info
Nikon D3S Sports photography info
65
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
has tracking focus
weather proofing
better than average battery power (4,300 shots)
supports phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
66
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
environment proofing
great battery power (4,200 per charge)
comes with phase detect auto focus
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3 Travel photography highlights
Nikon D3S Travel photography highlights
51
better than average battery power (4,300 per charge)
weather proofing
low MP (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
51
great battery power (4,200 CIPA)
environment proofing
low MP (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3 as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon D3S as a Landscape photography camera
67
manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
better than average battery power (4,300 CIPA)
has dual storage slots
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
67
has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
good sized screen (3")
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
great battery power (4,200 CIPA)
has double storage slots
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D3
Vlogging with Nikon D3S
9
can't record video
15
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing mic port
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Nikon D3 vs Nikon D3S Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3 and Nikon D3S
 Nikon D3Nikon D3S
General Information
Brand Nikon Nikon
Model Nikon D3 Nikon D3S
Category Pro DSLR Pro DSLR
Announced 2008-04-18 2010-02-16
Body design Large SLR Large SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed Expeed
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 36 x 23.9mm 36 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 860.4mm² 860.4mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 5:4 and 3:2 5:4 and 3:2
Highest resolution 4256 x 2832 4256 x 2832
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Highest boosted ISO 25600 102400
Minimum native ISO 200 200
RAW data
Minimum boosted ISO 100 100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 51 51
Cross focus points 15 15
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Nikon F
Available lenses 309 309
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 922k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - Low-temperature polysilicon TFT color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.7x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 11.0 frames per second 11.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps), 320 x 216 (24 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1280x720
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1300 gr (2.87 lb) 1240 gr (2.73 lb)
Dimensions 160 x 157 x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5") 160 x 157 x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 81 82
DXO Color Depth score 23.5 23.5
DXO Dynamic range score 12.2 12.0
DXO Low light score 2290 3253
Other
Battery life 4300 images 4200 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - EN-EL4a
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes (2 to 20 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II) x2 Compact Flash (Type I or II) x 2, UDMA
Storage slots Two Two
Price at launch $5,450 $5,200