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Nikon D3 vs Nikon D4s

Portability
50
Imaging
56
Features
63
Overall
58
Nikon D3 front
 
Nikon D4s front
Portability
50
Imaging
63
Features
84
Overall
71

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D4s Key Specs

Nikon D3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 6400 (Increase to 25600)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1300g - 160 x 157 x 88mm
  • Released April 2008
  • Refreshed by Nikon D3S
Nikon D4s
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Bump to 409600)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1350g - 160 x 157 x 91mm
  • Released February 2014
  • Superseded the Nikon D4
  • Successor is Nikon D5
Photography Glossary

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D4s Overview

Let's look more in depth at the Nikon D3 vs Nikon D4s, both Pro DSLR cameras and both are created by Nikon. There is a significant difference among the resolutions of the D3 (12MP) and D4s (16MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor measurements (Full frame).

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The D3 was manufactured 6 years prior to the D4s which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Large SLR).

Before diving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the D3 matches up vs the D4s when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3 over the Nikon D4s

 D3 D4s 
Screen resolution922k921kCrisper screen (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon D4s over the Nikon D3

 D4s D3 
ReleasedFebruary 2014April 2008Newer by 71 months
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Nikon D3 and Nikon D4s

 D3 D4s 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D4s Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you need to think about its weight and proportions. The Nikon D3 features external measurements 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 D4s has measurements of 160mm x 157mm x 91mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.6") with a weight of 1350 grams (2.98 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon D3 vs Nikon D4s in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are employing at that moment. The following is a front view size comparison of the D3 versus the D4s.

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D4s size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the D3 and D4s is 50 and 50 respectively.

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D4s top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D4s Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be difficult to imagine the gap in sensor dimensions only by researching a spec sheet. The image here will provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the D3 and D4s.

As you can see, both of the cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Nikon D4s to result in greater detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more aged D3 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D4s sensor size comparison

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D4s Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D4s Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3 Portrait photography features
Nikon D4s Portrait photography features
63
has manual focus
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
low resolution (12 megapixels)
77
manual focus
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports face detect focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3 Street photography information
Nikon D4s Street photography information
54
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
58
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
very good high ISO (25,600)
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3 Sports photography highlights
Nikon D4s Sports photography highlights
65
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
great sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather sealing
great battery pack (4,300 shots)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (12MP)
75
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports tracking focus
weather proofing
better than average battery pack (3,020 per charge)
comes with phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3 as a Travel photography camera
Nikon D4s as a Travel photography camera
51
great battery pack (4,300 per charge)
weather sealing
low resolution (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
62
better than average battery pack (3,020 per charge)
weather proofing
good MP (16MP)
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3 as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon D4s as a Landscape photography camera
67
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
great battery pack (4,300 per charge)
has dual storage slots
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (12 megapixels)
75
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inches)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
very good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
better than average battery pack (3,020 per charge)
has double storage slots
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3 Vlogging details
Nikon D4s Vlogging details
9
no video
28
supports face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have microphone port
does not contain selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
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Nikon D3 vs Nikon D4s Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3 and Nikon D4s
 Nikon D3Nikon D4s
General Information
Company Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon D3 Nikon D4s
Category Pro DSLR Pro DSLR
Released 2008-04-18 2014-02-24
Body design Large SLR Large SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed Expeed 4
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 36 x 23.9mm 36 x 23.9mm
Sensor surface area 860.4mm² 860.4mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 5:4 and 3:2 5:4 and 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4256 x 2832 4928 x 3280
Maximum native ISO 6400 25600
Maximum enhanced ISO 25600 409600
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW support
Minimum enhanced ISO 100 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 51 51
Cross type focus points 15 15
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Nikon F
Total lenses 309 309
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3.2 inches
Display resolution 922k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - TFT LCD with brightness and color adjustment
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.7x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 11.0fps 11.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto FP high-speed sync, front-curtain, rear-curtain, redeye reduction, redeye reduction w/slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250s 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1300 grams (2.87 pounds) 1350 grams (2.98 pounds)
Physical 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 rating 81 89
DXO Color Depth rating 23.5 24.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.2 13.3
DXO Low light rating 2290 3074
Other
Battery life 4300 shots 3020 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - EN-EL18a
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 Two Two
Retail pricing $5,450 $6,498