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Nikon D3S vs Nikon D4

Portability
51
Imaging
57
Features
63
Overall
59
Nikon D3S front
 
Nikon D4 front
Portability
50
Imaging
62
Features
81
Overall
69

Nikon D3S vs Nikon D4 Key Specs

Nikon D3S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Raise to 102400)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1240g - 160 x 157 x 88mm
  • Introduced February 2010
  • Superseded the Nikon D3
  • Refreshed by Nikon D4
Nikon D4
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 204800)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1340g - 160 x 157 x 91mm
  • Announced January 2012
  • Superseded the Nikon D3S
  • Updated by Nikon D4s
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Nikon D3S vs Nikon D4 Overview

On this page, we will be looking at the Nikon D3S and Nikon D4, both Pro DSLR cameras and both of them are offered by Nikon. There exists a sizable gap among the resolutions of the D3S (12MP) and D4 (16MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor dimensions (Full frame).

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The D3S was revealed 22 months prior to the D4 which makes them a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Large SLR).

Before going right into a in depth comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the D3S scores versus the D4 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3S over the Nikon D4

 D3S D4 

Reasons to pick Nikon D4 over the Nikon D3S

 D4 D3S 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012February 2010More modern by 22 months
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Nikon D3S and Nikon D4

 D3S D4 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution921k921kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Nikon D3S vs Nikon D4 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera, you will have to think about its weight and size. The Nikon D3S offers outside measurements of 160mm x 157mm x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5") accompanied by a weight of 1240 grams (2.73 lbs) while the Nikon D4 has specifications of 160mm x 157mm x 91mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.6") having a weight of 1340 grams (2.95 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon D3S and Nikon D4 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Below is a front view scale comparison of the D3S versus the D4.

Nikon D3S vs Nikon D4 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D3S and D4 is 51 and 50 respectively.

Nikon D3S vs Nikon D4 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3S vs Nikon D4 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is hard to picture the difference in sensor sizes purely by going through a spec sheet. The image below may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the D3S and D4.

Clearly, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Nikon D4 to produce extra detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The more aged D3S will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon D3S vs Nikon D4 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3S vs Nikon D4 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3S vs Nikon D4 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D3S
Portrait photography with Nikon D4
64
you can focus manually
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW files
low resolution (12MP)
77
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3S Street photography factors
Nikon D4 Street photography factors
55
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
56
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3S Sports photography highlights
Nikon D4 Sports photography highlights
66
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
environment proofing
better than average battery (4,200 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
low resolution (12 megapixels)
73
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
weather proofing
has phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3S Travel photography advice
Nikon D4 Travel photography advice
51
better than average battery (4,200 per charge)
environment proofing
low resolution (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
59
weather proofing
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3S Landscape photography factors
Nikon D4 Landscape photography factors
67
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
better than average battery (4,200 CIPA)
2 card slots
no image stabilization
low resolution (12MP)
74
you can focus manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is decent (3.2 inch)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
two card slots
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3S Vlogging advice
Nikon D4 Vlogging advice
15
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic support
26
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has external mic socket
does not posses selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
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Nikon D3S vs Nikon D4 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3S and Nikon D4
 Nikon D3SNikon D4
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Nikon
Model Nikon D3S Nikon D4
Class Pro DSLR Pro DSLR
Introduced 2010-02-16 2012-01-06
Physical type Large SLR Large SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 5:4 and 3:2 5:4 and 3:2
Max resolution 4256 x 2832 4928 x 3280
Max native ISO 12800 12800
Max enhanced ISO 102400 204800
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Minimum enhanced ISO 100 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 51 51
Cross focus points 15 15
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Nikon F
Number of lenses 309 309
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3.2"
Screen resolution 921 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology Low-temperature polysilicon TFT color LCD TFT color LCD with brightness control
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 11.0 frames per second 11.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250s 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps), 320 x 216 (24 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1240 grams (2.73 lb) 1340 grams (2.95 lb)
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 score 82 89
DXO Color Depth score 23.5 24.7
DXO Dynamic range score 12.0 13.1
DXO Low light score 3253 2965
Other
Battery life 4200 photos 2600 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL4a 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 recording
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II) x 2, UDMA CompactFlash, XQD
Card slots Dual Dual
Launch price $5,200 $4,500