Nikon D3X vs Nikon D800E
51 Imaging
66 Features
65 Overall
65


54 Imaging
72 Features
80 Overall
75
Nikon D3X vs Nikon D800E Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 25MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 1600 (Push to 6400)
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- No Video
- Nikon F Mount
- 1260g - 160 x 157 x 88mm
- Released February 2009
- Replaced the Nikon D2Xs
(Full Review)
- 36MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3.2" Fixed Display
- 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
- Introduced June 2012
- Earlier Model is Nikon D700

Nikon D3X vs Nikon D800E Overview
On this page, we are matching up the Nikon D3X and Nikon D800E, one being a Pro DSLR and the other is a Advanced DSLR and they are both designed by Nikon. There is a big difference between the resolutions of the D3X (25MP) and D800E (36MP) but both cameras have the same sensor sizes (Full frame).

The D3X was released 4 years earlier than the D800E and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Nikon D3X being a Large SLR camera and the Nikon D800E being a Mid-size SLR camera.
Before diving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the D3X matches up versus the D800E in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Nikon D3X vs Nikon D800E Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon D3X and Nikon D800E. The complete galleries are available at Nikon D3X Gallery and Nikon D800E Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D3X over the Nikon D800E
D3X | D800E |
---|
Reasons to pick Nikon D800E over the Nikon D3X
D800E | D3X | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | June 2012 | ![]() | February 2009 | More recent by 40 months |
Display dimensions | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 920k | Crisper display (+1k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon D3X and Nikon D800E
D3X | D800E | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither offers Touch display |
Nikon D3X vs Nikon D800E Physical Comparison
For those who are aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you have to think about its weight and volume. The Nikon D3X offers outer dimensions of 160mm x 157mm x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5") having a weight of 1260 grams (2.78 lbs) whilst the Nikon D800E has sizing of 146mm x 123mm x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") and a weight of 900 grams (1.98 lbs).
Analyze the Nikon D3X and Nikon D800E in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you select at that moment. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the D3X versus the D800E.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the D3X and D800E is 51 and 54 respectively.

Nikon D3X vs Nikon D800E Sensor Comparison
Usually, it's difficult to imagine the gap between sensor measurements simply by going over technical specs. The visual below might give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the D3X and D800E.
As you have seen, both of those cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You should anticipate the Nikon D800E to offer extra detail as a result of its extra 11 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images more aggressively. The older D3X is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Nikon D3X vs Nikon D800E Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3X vs Nikon D800E Specifications
Nikon D3X | Nikon D800E | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Nikon | Nikon |
Model | Nikon D3X | Nikon D800E |
Class | Pro DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Released | 2009-02-19 | 2012-06-11 |
Physical type | Large SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Expeed | Expeed 3 |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | Full frame |
Sensor dimensions | 35.9 x 24mm | 35.9 x 24mm |
Sensor surface area | 861.6mm² | 861.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 25MP | 36MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 5:4 and 3:2 |
Full resolution | 6048 x 4032 | 7360 x 4912 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Max boosted ISO | 6400 | 25600 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Min boosted ISO | 50 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 51 | 51 |
Cross focus points | - | 15 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Nikon F | Nikon F |
Number of lenses | 309 | 309 |
Focal length multiplier | 1 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3" | 3.2" |
Resolution of screen | 920 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen technology | Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle | TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.7x | 0.7x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/8000 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 5.0fps | 4.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain, High-speed sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/250 secs | 1/250 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps) |
Max video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video format | - | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 1260g (2.78 lb) | 900g (1.98 lb) |
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 All around score | 88 | 96 |
DXO Color Depth score | 24.7 | 25.6 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 13.7 | 14.3 |
DXO Low light score | 1992 | 2979 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 4400 photos | 900 photos |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | EN-EL4a | EN-EL15 |
Self timer | Yes (2 to 20 sec, custom) | Yes (2 to 20 sec, 1 to 9 exposures at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2 or 3 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | Compact Flash (Type I or II) x 2, UDMA | Compact Flash (Type I), SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I compliant |
Card slots | Two | Two |
Price at launch | $3,000 | $2,389 |