Nikon D3 vs Nikon D800
50 Imaging
56 Features
63 Overall
58


54 Imaging
72 Features
80 Overall
75
Nikon D3 vs Nikon D800 Key Specs
(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
(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

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).

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.

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D800 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon D3 and Nikon D800. The full galleries are available at Nikon D3 Gallery and Nikon D800 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D3 over the Nikon D800
D3 | D800 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 922k | ![]() | 921k | Sharper screen (+1k dot) |
Reasons to pick Nikon D800 over the Nikon D3
D800 | D3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | June 2012 | ![]() | April 2008 | More modern by 50 months |
Screen dimensions | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Common features in the Nikon D3 and Nikon D800
D3 | D800 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More accurate focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D800 Specifications
Nikon D3 | Nikon 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 |