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Nikon D3 vs Nikon D800

Portability
50
Imaging
56
Features
63
Overall
58
Nikon D3 front
 
Nikon D800 front
Portability
54
Imaging
72
Features
80
Overall
75

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D800 Key Specs

Nikon D3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 6400 (Raise to 25600)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1300g - 160 x 157 x 88mm
  • Announced April 2008
  • Refreshed by Nikon D3S
Nikon D800
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Bump to 25600)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 900g - 146 x 123 x 82mm
  • Launched June 2012
  • Succeeded the Nikon D700
  • Newer Model is Nikon D810
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Nikon D3 vs Nikon D800 Overview

Let's look a bit more closely at the Nikon D3 and Nikon D800, one is a Pro DSLR and the latter is a Advanced DSLR and both are designed by Nikon. There exists a sizeable gap between the resolutions of the D3 (12MP) and D800 (36MP) but both cameras have the same sensor sizes (Full frame).

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The D3 was unveiled 5 years before the D800 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Nikon D3 being a Large SLR camera and the Nikon D800 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting into a in-depth comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the D3 matches up against the D800 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3 over the Nikon D800

 D3 D800 
Screen resolution922k921kSharper screen (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon D800 over the Nikon D3

 D800 D3 
LaunchedJune 2012April 2008More modern by 50 months
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Nikon D3 and Nikon D800

 D3 D800 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D800 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry around your camera, you will have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Nikon D3 offers outer 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) whilst the Nikon D800 has proportions of 146mm x 123mm x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") and a weight of 900 grams (1.98 lbs).

See the Nikon D3 and Nikon D800 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you use at that time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the D3 and the D800.

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D800 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D3 and D800 is 50 and 54 respectively.

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D800 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D800 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizes simply by reviewing specs. The pic below will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the D3 and D800.

All in all, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Nikon D800 to offer extra detail having an extra 24MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures more aggressively. The more aged D3 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D800 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D800 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D800 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3 Portrait photography info
Nikon D800 Portrait photography info
63
has manual focus
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
83
has manual focus
high megapixels (36MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3 Street photography highlights
Nikon D800 Street photography highlights
54
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
59
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3 Sports photography factors
Nikon D800 Sports photography factors
65
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
large sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proofing
great battery pack (4,300 CIPA)
supports phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
73
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
high megapixels (36MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
environment proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
low frames per second (4.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3 Travel photography advice
Nikon D800 Travel photography advice
51
great battery pack (4,300 per charge)
environment proofing
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
66
environment proofing
high megapixels (36 megapixels)
flash built-in
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3 Landscape photography info
Nikon D800 Landscape photography info
67
has manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
great battery pack (4,300 CIPA)
has dual storage slots
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
78
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inch)
high megapixels (36MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
2 card slots
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3 Vlogging advice
Nikon D800 Vlogging advice
9
no video
30
offers face detect autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with microphone support
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D800 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3 and Nikon D800
 Nikon D3Nikon D800
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Nikon
Model Nikon D3 Nikon D800
Class Pro DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2008-04-18 2012-06-11
Physical type Large SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed Expeed 3
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 36 x 23.9mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 860.4mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 36 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 5:4 and 3:2 5:4 and 3:2
Highest resolution 4256 x 2832 7360 x 4912
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Highest boosted ISO 25600 25600
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Lowest boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 51 51
Cross focus points 15 15
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Nikon F
Total lenses 309 309
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3.2"
Display resolution 922k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 11.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain, High-speed sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250s 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1300 gr (2.87 lbs) 900 gr (1.98 lbs)
Physical dimensions 160 x 157 x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5") 146 x 123 x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 81 95
DXO Color Depth score 23.5 25.3
DXO Dynamic range score 12.2 14.4
DXO Low light score 2290 2853
Other
Battery life 4300 images 900 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - EN-EL15
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes (2 to 20 sec, 1 to 9 exposures at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2 or 3 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II) x2 Compact Flash (Type I), SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I compliant
Card slots Dual Dual
Pricing at launch $5,450 $2,999