Nikon D3S vs Nikon D800
51 Imaging
57 Features
63 Overall
59


54 Imaging
72 Features
80 Overall
75
Nikon D3S vs Nikon D800 Key Specs
(Full Review)
(Full Review)
- 36MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3.2" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Raise to 25600)
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 900g - 146 x 123 x 82mm
- Released June 2012
- Old Model is Nikon D700
- Successor is Nikon D810

Nikon D3S vs Nikon D800 Overview
Its time to take a deeper look at the Nikon D3S vs Nikon D800, one is a Pro DSLR and the latter is a Advanced DSLR and they are both manufactured by Nikon. There exists a sizeable gap between the resolutions of the D3S (12MP) and D800 (36MP) but they use the same exact sensor measurements (Full frame).

The D3S was launched 3 years before the D800 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Nikon D3S being a Large SLR camera and the Nikon D800 being a Mid-size SLR camera.
Before diving in to a complete comparison, below is a quick summation of how the D3S scores versus the D800 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Nikon D3S vs Nikon D800 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon D3S and Nikon D800. The complete galleries are viewable at Nikon D3S Gallery and Nikon D800 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D3S over the Nikon D800
D3S | D800 |
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Reasons to pick Nikon D800 over the Nikon D3S
D800 | D3S | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | June 2012 | ![]() | February 2010 | More modern by 28 months |
Screen sizing | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Common features in the Nikon D3S and Nikon D800
D3S | D800 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 921k | Identical screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Absent Touch screen |
Nikon D3S vs Nikon D800 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is aiming to carry around your camera often, you'll need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Nikon D3S comes with exterior 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) while 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).
Contrast the Nikon D3S vs Nikon D800 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you select during that time. Following is the front view size comparison of the D3S against the D800.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D3S and D800 is 51 and 54 respectively.

Nikon D3S vs Nikon D800 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it is tough to picture the contrast between sensor sizes purely by checking specifications. The picture below will give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the D3S and D800.
To sum up, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You should expect the Nikon D800 to resolve extra detail utilizing its extra 24 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures far more aggressively. The more aged D3S is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Nikon D3S vs Nikon D800 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3S vs Nikon D800 Specifications
Nikon D3S | Nikon D800 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Nikon | Nikon |
Model | Nikon D3S | Nikon D800 |
Type | Pro DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Revealed | 2010-02-16 | 2012-06-11 |
Body design | Large SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | 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 |
Full resolution | 4256 x 2832 | 7360 x 4912 |
Max native ISO | 12800 | 6400 |
Max boosted ISO | 102400 | 25600 |
Lowest native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Lowest boosted ISO | 100 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | 51 | 51 |
Cross focus points | 15 | 15 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Nikon F | Nikon F |
Available lenses | 309 | 309 |
Crop factor | 1 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inch | 3.2 inch |
Display resolution | 921k dot | 921k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display tech | Low-temperature polysilicon TFT color LCD | TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.7x | 0.7x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/8000s |
Continuous shooting speed | 11.0fps | 4.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt 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 | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | 1/250s | 1/250s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
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 (24 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 1240 grams (2.73 lb) | 900 grams (1.98 lb) |
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 | 82 | 95 |
DXO Color Depth score | 23.5 | 25.3 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 12.0 | 14.4 |
DXO Low light score | 3253 | 2853 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 4200 shots | 900 shots |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | EN-EL4a | 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 media | Compact Flash (Type I or II) x 2, UDMA | Compact Flash (Type I), SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I compliant |
Storage slots | Two | Two |
Cost at launch | $5,200 | $2,999 |