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Nikon D3S vs Nikon D5

Portability
51
Imaging
57
Features
63
Overall
59
Nikon D3S front
 
Nikon D5 front
Portability
50
Imaging
71
Features
84
Overall
76

Nikon D3S vs Nikon D5 Key Specs

Nikon D3S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Increase to 102400)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1240g - 160 x 157 x 88mm
  • Announced February 2010
  • Superseded the Nikon D3
  • Successor is Nikon D4
Nikon D5
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 102400 (Expand to 3280000)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1415g - 160 x 158.5 x 92mm
  • Introduced January 2016
  • Older Model is Nikon D4s
  • Renewed by Nikon D6
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Nikon D3S vs Nikon D5 Overview

Here is a comprehensive overview of the Nikon D3S and Nikon D5, both Pro DSLR cameras and they are both designed by Nikon. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the D3S (12MP) and D5 (21MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor dimensions (Full frame).

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The D3S was launched 6 years before the D5 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Large SLR).

Before delving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a short introduction of how the D3S grades against the D5 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3S over the Nikon D5

 D3S D5 

Reasons to pick Nikon D5 over the Nikon D3S

 D5 D3S 
IntroducedJanuary 2016February 2010Fresher by 71 months
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2359k921kCrisper screen (+1438k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Nikon D3S and Nikon D5

 D3S D5 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Nikon D3S vs Nikon D5 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D3S features physical measurements of 160mm x 157mm x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5") along with a weight of 1240 grams (2.73 lbs) and the Nikon D5 has dimensions of 160mm x 158.5mm x 92mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.6") along with a weight of 1415 grams (3.12 lbs).

Compare the Nikon D3S and Nikon D5 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have at the time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the D3S against the D5.

Nikon D3S vs Nikon D5 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the D3S and D5 is 51 and 50 respectively.

Nikon D3S vs Nikon D5 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3S vs Nikon D5 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be hard to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing only by checking out specifications. The photograph underneath might offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the D3S and D5.

To sum up, both the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Nikon D5 to show extra detail utilizing its extra 9MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The older D3S will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Nikon D3S vs Nikon D5 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3S vs Nikon D5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3S vs Nikon D5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3S as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon D5 as a Portrait photography camera
64
manual focus
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
82
manual focus
decent megapixels (21 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3S Street photography information
Nikon D5 Street photography information
55
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
60
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
good ISO range (102,400)
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3S Sports photography features
Nikon D5 Sports photography features
66
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
big sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
weather proof
great battery power (4,200 CIPA)
comes with phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
79
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
decent megapixels (21 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
weather proof
better than average battery life (3,780 CIPA)
has phase detect auto focus
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3S Travel photography information
Nikon D5 Travel photography information
51
great battery power (4,200 shots)
weather proof
low megapixels (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
64
better than average battery life (3,780 shots)
weather proof
decent megapixels (21 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3S Landscape photography information
Nikon D5 Landscape photography information
67
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
great battery power (4,200 shots)
2 card slots
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
78
manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
decent sized screen (3.2")
decent megapixels (21 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
good ISO range (102,400)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
better than average battery life (3,780 shots)
has dual storage slots
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3S Vlogging highlights
Nikon D5 Vlogging highlights
15
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic support
30
built-in touchscreen
includes face detect focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has microphone jack
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
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Nikon D3S vs Nikon D5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3S and Nikon D5
 Nikon D3SNikon D5
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon D3S Nikon D5
Category Pro DSLR Pro DSLR
Announced 2010-02-16 2016-01-05
Body design Large SLR Large SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed Expeed 5
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 36 x 23.9mm 35.8 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 860.4mm² 855.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 21 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 5:4 and 3:2 1:1, 5:4, 4:3 and 3:2
Max resolution 4256 x 2832 5588 x 3712
Max native ISO 12800 102400
Max enhanced ISO 102400 3280000
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW photos
Min enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 51 153
Cross type focus points 15 99
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Nikon F
Available lenses 309 309
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3.2 inches
Screen resolution 921k dot 2,359k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech Low-temperature polysilicon TFT color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.72x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 11.0 frames/s 14.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 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) 4K (UHD) 30p/25p/24p, 1080/60p/50p/30p/25p/24p, 720/60p/50p
Max video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Optional
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1240 grams (2.73 pounds) 1415 grams (3.12 pounds)
Dimensions 160 x 157 x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5") 160 x 158.5 x 92mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 82 88
DXO Color Depth rating 23.5 25.1
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.0 12.3
DXO Low light rating 3253 2434
Other
Battery life 4200 pictures 3780 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL4a EN-EL18a
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II) x 2, UDMA Dual CompactFlash or dual XQD
Storage slots Dual Dual
Pricing at release $5,200 $6,500