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Nikon D3 vs Nikon D6

Portability
50
Imaging
56
Features
63
Overall
58
Nikon D3 front
 
Nikon D6 front
Portability
50
Imaging
74
Features
85
Overall
78

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D6 Key Specs

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
  • Announced April 2008
  • Renewed by Nikon D3S
Nikon D6
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 102400 (Push to 3280000)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1270g - 160 x 163 x 92mm
  • Announced February 2020
  • Old Model is Nikon D5
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Nikon D3 vs Nikon D6 Overview

Lets take a more detailed look at the Nikon D3 vs Nikon D6, both Pro DSLR cameras and both of them are manufactured by Nikon. There is a big difference among the sensor resolutions of the D3 (12MP) and D6 (21MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (Full frame).

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The D3 was revealed 12 years prior to the D6 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Large SLR).

Before delving in to a in depth comparison, below is a concise view of how the D3 grades versus the D6 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3 over the Nikon D6

 D3 D6 

Reasons to pick Nikon D6 over the Nikon D3

 D6 D3 
AnnouncedFebruary 2020April 2008More modern by 143 months
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2359k922kCrisper display (+1437k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Nikon D3 and Nikon D6

 D3 D6 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D6 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry around your camera often, you are going to need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Nikon D3 features outer dimensions of 160mm x 157mm x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5") with a weight of 1300 grams (2.87 lbs) and the Nikon D6 has proportions of 160mm x 163mm x 92mm (6.3" x 6.4" x 3.6") along with a weight of 1270 grams (2.80 lbs).

Examine the Nikon D3 vs Nikon D6 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have during that time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the D3 vs the D6.

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D6 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the D3 and D6 is 50 and 50 respectively.

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D6 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D6 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very tough to see the gap in sensor sizes only by seeing a spec sheet. The image below will give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the D3 and D6.

As you can see, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You should anticipate the Nikon D6 to produce greater detail because of its extra 9 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop images far more aggressively. The more aged D3 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D6 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D6 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D6 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3 Portrait photography info
Nikon D6 Portrait photography info
63
has manual focus
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
84
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (21 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
has face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3 Street photography info
Nikon D6 Street photography info
54
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
62
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
offers focus by touch
environment proofing
above average high ISO (102,400)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D3
Sports photography with Nikon D6
65
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
large sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking focus
environment proofing
better than average battery life (4,300 per charge)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
80
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
sensor resolution is decent (21 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
has tracking focus
environment proofing
good battery power (3,580 shots)
sensor has phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3 Travel photography information
Nikon D6 Travel photography information
51
better than average battery life (4,300 per charge)
environment proofing
megapixel count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
68
good battery power (3,580 shots)
environment proofing
has bluetooth
offers focus by touch
sensor resolution is decent (21MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3 Landscape photography advice
Nikon D6 Landscape photography advice
67
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
better than average battery life (4,300 per charge)
two card slots
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
80
has manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
decent sized screen (3.2 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (21 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
above average high ISO (102,400)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
good battery power (3,580 shots)
two card slots
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3 Vlogging advice
Nikon D6 Vlogging advice
9
can't record video
30
touchscreen
has face detect focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes microphone socket
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
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Nikon D3 vs Nikon D6 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3 and Nikon D6
 Nikon D3Nikon D6
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon D3 Nikon D6
Class Pro DSLR Pro DSLR
Announced 2008-04-18 2020-02-11
Physical type Large SLR Large SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed Expeed 6
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 36 x 23.9mm 35.9 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 860.4mm² 858.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 21 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 5:4 and 3:2 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4256 x 2832 5568 x 3712
Max native ISO 6400 102400
Max boosted ISO 25600 3280000
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW photos
Lowest boosted ISO 100 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 51 105
Cross type focus points 15 105
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Nikon F
Total lenses 309 309
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3.2 inch
Resolution of screen 922k dots 2,359k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.72x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 900 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 11.0 frames per sec 14.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Normal, redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, rear-curtain sync, off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution None 3840x2160
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS Optional Built-in
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1300 gr (2.87 lb) 1270 gr (2.80 lb)
Dimensions 160 x 157 x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5") 160 x 163 x 92mm (6.3" x 6.4" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 81 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.2 not tested
DXO Low light rating 2290 not tested
Other
Battery life 4300 shots 3580 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II) x2 Dual XQD/CFexpress slots
Card slots 2 2
Launch cost $5,450 $6,496