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Nikon D3 vs Nikon D4

Portability
50
Imaging
56
Features
63
Overall
58
Nikon D3 front
 
Nikon D4 front
Portability
50
Imaging
62
Features
81
Overall
69

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D4 Key Specs

Nikon D3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 6400 (Push to 25600)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1300g - 160 x 157 x 88mm
  • Revealed April 2008
  • Replacement is Nikon D3S
Nikon D4
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 204800)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1340g - 160 x 157 x 91mm
  • Revealed January 2012
  • Previous Model is Nikon D3S
  • Updated by Nikon D4s
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Nikon D3 vs Nikon D4 Overview

Lets take a more detailed look at the Nikon D3 and Nikon D4, both Pro DSLR cameras and both of them are manufactured by Nikon. There is a substantial difference among the sensor resolutions of the D3 (12MP) and D4 (16MP) but they come with the exact same sensor size (Full frame).

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The D3 was introduced 4 years earlier than the D4 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Large SLR).

Before getting straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a short overview of how the D3 grades versus the D4 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3 over the Nikon D4

 D3 D4 
Display resolution922k921kSharper display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon D4 over the Nikon D3

 D4 D3 
RevealedJanuary 2012April 2008Newer by 45 months
Display dimension3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Nikon D3 and Nikon D4

 D3 D4 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D4 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D3 has got exterior measurements of 160mm x 157mm x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5") along with a weight of 1300 grams (2.87 lbs) while the Nikon D4 has dimensions of 160mm x 157mm x 91mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.6") having a weight of 1340 grams (2.95 lbs).

See the Nikon D3 and Nikon D4 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the D3 versus the D4.

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D4 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the D3 and D4 is 50 and 50 respectively.

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D4 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D4 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions just by going through specifications. The picture underneath might give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the D3 and D4.

Plainly, the two cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different resolution. You can anticipate the Nikon D4 to show greater detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The more aged D3 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D4 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D4 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D4 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3 Portrait photography features
Nikon D4 Portrait photography features
63
focusing manually
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
77
focusing manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D3
Street photography with Nikon D4
54
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
56
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3 Sports photography information
Nikon D4 Sports photography information
65
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proof
great battery power (4,300 shots)
has phase detect autofocus
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
73
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
MP count good (16MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proof
comes with phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3 Travel photography features
Nikon D4 Travel photography features
51
great battery power (4,300 shots)
weather proof
low MP (12MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
59
weather proof
MP count good (16 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3 Landscape photography info
Nikon D4 Landscape photography info
67
focusing manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
great battery power (4,300 per charge)
two card slots
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
74
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a good size (3.2 inches)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
has dual storage slots
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3 Vlogging information
Nikon D4 Vlogging information
9
can't record video
26
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external mic jack
does not have selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
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Nikon D3 vs Nikon D4 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3 and Nikon D4
 Nikon D3Nikon D4
General Information
Brand Nikon Nikon
Model Nikon D3 Nikon D4
Type Pro DSLR Pro DSLR
Revealed 2008-04-18 2012-01-06
Body design Large SLR Large SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed Expeed 3
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 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 5:4 and 3:2 5:4 and 3:2
Peak resolution 4256 x 2832 4928 x 3280
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Highest enhanced ISO 25600 204800
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Minimum enhanced ISO 100 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 51 51
Cross focus points 15 15
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Nikon F
Amount of lenses 309 309
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of display 922k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology - TFT color LCD with brightness control
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 11.0 frames/s 11.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Optional
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1300g (2.87 lb) 1340g (2.95 lb)
Dimensions 160 x 157 x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5") 160 x 157 x 91mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 81 89
DXO Color Depth score 23.5 24.7
DXO Dynamic range score 12.2 13.1
DXO Low light score 2290 2965
Other
Battery life 4300 pictures 2600 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - EN-EL18
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes (2-20 seconds, 1-9 exposures at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2, or 3 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) x2 CompactFlash, XQD
Storage slots 2 2
Retail price $5,450 $4,500