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Nikon D3S vs Nikon Z5

Portability
51
Imaging
57
Features
63
Overall
59
Nikon D3S front
 
Nikon Z5 front
Portability
62
Imaging
76
Features
86
Overall
80

Nikon D3S vs Nikon Z5 Key Specs

Nikon D3S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Expand to 102400)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1240g - 160 x 157 x 88mm
  • Revealed February 2010
  • Older Model is Nikon D3
  • Replacement is Nikon D4
Nikon Z5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 675g - 134 x 101 x 70mm
  • Revealed July 2020
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Nikon D3S vs Nikon Z5 Overview

In this article, we are comparing the Nikon D3S versus Nikon Z5, one being a Pro DSLR and the other is a Advanced Mirrorless and both are manufactured by Nikon. There is a significant difference among the resolutions of the D3S (12MP) and Z5 (24MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor dimensions (Full frame).

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The D3S was brought out 11 years prior to the Z5 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Nikon D3S being a Large SLR camera and the Nikon Z5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting through a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise overview of how the D3S scores versus the Z5 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3S over the Nikon Z5

 D3S Z5 

Reasons to pick Nikon Z5 over the Nikon D3S

 Z5 D3S 
RevealedJuly 2020February 2010More recent by 126 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1040k921kCrisper display (+119k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Nikon D3S and Nikon Z5

 D3S Z5 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Nikon D3S vs Nikon Z5 Physical Comparison

If you're going to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to think about its weight and measurements. The Nikon D3S features 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) and the Nikon Z5 has proportions of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") along with a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs).

Examine the Nikon D3S versus Nikon Z5 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you select at that time. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the D3S versus the Z5.

Nikon D3S vs Nikon Z5 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the D3S and Z5 is 51 and 62 respectively.

Nikon D3S vs Nikon Z5 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3S vs Nikon Z5 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's hard to see the gap in sensor measurements merely by researching specs. The graphic here will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the D3S and Z5.

All in all, both of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You should anticipate the Nikon Z5 to provide you with more detail having its extra 12 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop pics a little more aggressively. The older D3S will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon D3S vs Nikon Z5 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3S vs Nikon Z5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3S vs Nikon Z5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D3S
Portrait photography with Nikon Z5
64
focusing manually
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
85
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3S Street photography factors
Nikon Z5 Street photography factors
55
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW files
weather proof
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
74
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
comes with focus by touch
weather proof
very good high ISO (51,200)
more heavy than competition (675 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3S Sports photography info
Nikon Z5 Sports photography info
66
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
weather proof
good battery pack (4,200 shots)
supports phase detect AF
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
82
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
weather proof
good battery power (470 shots)
comes with phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (4.5 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D3S
Travel photography with Nikon Z5
51
good battery pack (4,200 CIPA)
weather proof
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
68
good battery power (470 shots)
weather proof
supports bluetooth
comes with focus by touch
megapixel count decent (24MP)
more heavy than competition (675g)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3S Landscape photography details
Nikon Z5 Landscape photography details
67
focusing manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3")
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW files
weather proof
good battery pack (4,200 shots)
has double storage slots
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
86
you can focus manually
change lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
very good high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
good battery power (470 shots)
has double storage slots
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D3S
Vlogging with Nikon Z5
15
does not feature selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic port
34
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does have external microphone port
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
more heavy than competition (675g)
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Nikon D3S vs Nikon Z5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3S and Nikon Z5
 Nikon D3SNikon Z5
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon D3S Nikon Z5
Type Pro DSLR Advanced Mirrorless
Revealed 2010-02-16 2020-07-20
Body design Large SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip 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 12 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 5:4 and 3:2 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4256 x 2832 6016 x 4016
Max native ISO 12800 51200
Max boosted ISO 102400 102400
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Lowest boosted ISO 100 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 51 273
Cross type focus points 15 -
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Nikon Z
Amount of lenses 309 15
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3" 3.2"
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dot 1,040 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech Low-temperature polysilicon TFT color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,690 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.8x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting speed 11.0 frames per second 4.5 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250s 1/200s
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
Max video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1240g (2.73 lbs) 675g (1.49 lbs)
Dimensions 160 x 157 x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5") 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8")
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 470 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL4a EN-EL15c
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) x 2, UDMA Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots Dual Dual
Cost at launch $5,200 $1,399