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Nikon D3S vs Nikon D6

Portability
51
Imaging
57
Features
63
Overall
59
Nikon D3S front
 
Nikon D6 front
Portability
50
Imaging
74
Features
85
Overall
78

Nikon D3S vs Nikon D6 Key Specs

Nikon D3S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Increase to 102400)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1240g - 160 x 157 x 88mm
  • Launched February 2010
  • Succeeded the Nikon D3
  • Refreshed by Nikon D4
Nikon D6
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 102400 (Bump to 3280000)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1270g - 160 x 163 x 92mm
  • Announced February 2020
  • Previous Model is Nikon D5
Photography Glossary

Nikon D3S vs Nikon D6 Overview

Here, we will be looking at the Nikon D3S and Nikon D6, both Pro DSLR cameras and both are sold by Nikon. There exists a sizeable gap among the image resolutions of the D3S (12MP) and D6 (21MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor sizing (Full frame).

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The D3S was introduced 11 years before the D6 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Large SLR).

Before getting straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a short view of how the D3S matches up against the D6 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3S over the Nikon D6

 D3S D6 

Reasons to pick Nikon D6 over the Nikon D3S

 D6 D3S 
AnnouncedFebruary 2020February 2010Newer by 121 months
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2359k921kCrisper screen (+1438k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Nikon D3S and Nikon D6

 D3S D6 
Manual focus More exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Nikon D3S vs Nikon D6 Physical Comparison

If you are going to travel with your camera frequently, you need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D3S features outside dimensions of 160mm x 157mm x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5") accompanied by a weight of 1240 grams (2.73 lbs) and the Nikon D6 has dimensions of 160mm x 163mm x 92mm (6.3" x 6.4" x 3.6") having a weight of 1270 grams (2.80 lbs).

Compare the Nikon D3S and Nikon D6 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the D3S versus the D6.

Nikon D3S vs Nikon D6 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D3S and D6 is 51 and 50 respectively.

Nikon D3S vs Nikon D6 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3S vs Nikon D6 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's difficult to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions just by seeing specifications. The image underneath might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the D3S and D6.

To sum up, the 2 cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Nikon D6 to show more detail using its extra 9 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The more aged D3S will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon D3S vs Nikon D6 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3S vs Nikon D6 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3S vs Nikon D6 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3S Portrait photography info
Nikon D6 Portrait photography info
64
manual focus
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
84
manual focus
resolution is good (21 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detect focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3S Street photography advice
Nikon D6 Street photography advice
55
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
62
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
supports focus by touch
environment sealing
good high ISO (102,400)
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3S as a Sports photography camera
Nikon D6 as a Sports photography camera
66
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
great sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
weather proof
good battery pack (4,200 CIPA)
has phase detect autofocus
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
80
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
resolution is good (21MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
environment sealing
better than average battery power (3,580 CIPA)
supports phase detect auto focus
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3S Travel photography info
Nikon D6 Travel photography info
51
good battery pack (4,200 shots)
weather proof
low resolution sensor (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
68
better than average battery power (3,580 per charge)
environment sealing
connects via bluetooth
supports focus by touch
resolution is good (21 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3S Landscape photography highlights
Nikon D6 Landscape photography highlights
67
manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
good battery pack (4,200 shots)
2 card slots
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
80
manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inch)
resolution is good (21MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
good high ISO (102,400)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
better than average battery power (3,580 CIPA)
has dual storage slots
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3S Vlogging information
Nikon D6 Vlogging information
15
does not offer selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone support
30
touchscreen functionality
offers face detect focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
comes with microphone jack
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
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Nikon D3S vs Nikon D6 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3S and Nikon D6
 Nikon D3SNikon D6
General Information
Make Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon D3S Nikon D6
Class Pro DSLR Pro DSLR
Launched 2010-02-16 2020-02-11
Body design Large SLR Large SLR
Sensor Information
Processor 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 12MP 21MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 5:4 and 3:2 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4256 x 2832 5568 x 3712
Maximum native ISO 12800 102400
Maximum boosted ISO 102400 3280000
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Minimum boosted ISO 100 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 51 105
Cross type focus points 15 105
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Nikon F
Available lenses 309 309
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3.2"
Display resolution 921 thousand dot 2,359 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech Low-temperature polysilicon TFT color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.72x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 900s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting speed 11.0fps 14.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Normal, redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, rear-curtain sync, off
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps), 320 x 216 (24 fps) 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
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1240 grams (2.73 lb) 1270 grams (2.80 lb)
Physical 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 82 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.0 not tested
DXO Low light rating 3253 not tested
Other
Battery life 4200 photos 3580 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL4a -
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) x 2, UDMA Dual XQD/CFexpress slots
Storage slots Dual Dual
Retail pricing $5,200 $6,496