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Nikon D3S vs Nikon D800E

Portability
51
Imaging
57
Features
63
Overall
59
Nikon D3S front
 
Nikon D800E front
Portability
54
Imaging
72
Features
80
Overall
75

Nikon D3S vs Nikon D800E Key Specs

Nikon D3S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Increase to 102400)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1240g - 160 x 157 x 88mm
  • Revealed February 2010
  • Replaced the Nikon D3
  • Updated by Nikon D4
Nikon D800E
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Increase to 25600)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 900g - 146 x 123 x 82mm
  • Released June 2012
  • Superseded the Nikon D700
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Nikon D3S vs Nikon D800E Overview

Here is a in-depth review of the Nikon D3S versus Nikon D800E, one being a Pro DSLR and the latter is a Advanced DSLR and they are both produced by Nikon. There exists a sizeable gap between the image resolutions of the D3S (12MP) and D800E (36MP) but both cameras have the same sensor size (Full frame).

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The D3S was introduced 3 years prior to the D800E and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Nikon D3S being a Large SLR camera and the Nikon D800E being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the D3S matches up against the D800E when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3S over the Nikon D800E

 D3S D800E 

Reasons to pick Nikon D800E over the Nikon D3S

 D800E D3S 
ReleasedJune 2012February 2010Fresher by 28 months
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Nikon D3S and Nikon D800E

 D3S D800E 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution921k921kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Nikon D3S vs Nikon D800E Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry your camera, you will want to consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon D3S offers external 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) whilst the Nikon D800E has measurements of 146mm x 123mm x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 900 grams (1.98 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon D3S versus Nikon D800E in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have at the time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the D3S vs the D800E.

Nikon D3S vs Nikon D800E size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D3S and D800E is 51 and 54 respectively.

Nikon D3S vs Nikon D800E top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3S vs Nikon D800E Sensor Comparison

Normally, its hard to visualise the difference between sensor sizing only by checking a spec sheet. The visual below might give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the D3S and D800E.

As you can see, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Nikon D800E to give you greater detail using its extra 24MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The older D3S is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon D3S vs Nikon D800E sensor size comparison

Nikon D3S vs Nikon D800E Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3S vs Nikon D800E Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3S Portrait photography factors
Nikon D800E Portrait photography factors
64
manual focus
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
83
has manual focus
MP count amazing (36 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3S Street photography highlights
Nikon D800E Street photography highlights
55
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
59
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3S Sports photography details
Nikon D800E Sports photography details
66
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
weather proofing
great battery life (4,200 shots)
has phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
73
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
MP count amazing (36MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3S Travel photography info
Nikon D800E Travel photography info
51
great battery life (4,200 per charge)
weather proofing
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
66
weather sealing
MP count amazing (36MP)
built-in flash
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3S Landscape photography advice
Nikon D800E Landscape photography advice
67
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
great battery life (4,200 CIPA)
two card slots
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
79
has manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2 inches)
MP count amazing (36 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
does not have low pass filter
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
has double storage slots
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3S Vlogging features
Nikon D800E Vlogging features
15
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone socket
30
includes face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes mic port
does not contain selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
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Nikon D3S vs Nikon D800E Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3S and Nikon D800E
 Nikon D3SNikon D800E
General Information
Company Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon D3S Nikon D800E
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 dimensions 36 x 23.9mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 860.4mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 36 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 5:4 and 3:2 5:4 and 3:2
Max resolution 4256 x 2832 7360 x 4912
Max native ISO 12800 6400
Max enhanced ISO 102400 25600
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW photos
Lowest enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 51 51
Cross type focus points 15 15
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Nikon F
Available lenses 309 309
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3.2"
Screen resolution 921 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology Low-temperature polysilicon TFT color LCD TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 11.0 frames per sec 4.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain, High-speed sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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
Mic 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1240g (2.73 lbs) 900g (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 Overall rating 82 96
DXO Color Depth rating 23.5 25.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.0 14.3
DXO Low light rating 3253 2979
Other
Battery life 4200 pictures 900 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID 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 recording
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
Price at release $5,200 $2,389