Nikon D3S

Last updated
Nikon D3S
Nikon D3S img 3543.jpg
Overview
Type Digital single-lens reflex camera
Released14 October 2009
Lens
Lens Interchangeable, Nikon F-mount
Sensor/medium
Sensor 36.0 mm × 23.9 mm CMOS, Nikon FX format|DX format
Sensor maker Nikon [1]
Maximum resolution 12.1 effective megapixels (4,256 × 2,832 pixels)
Film speed ISO equivalency 200 to 12800 in 1/3, 1/2 or 1.0 EV steps, Boost: 100–102400 in 1/3, 1/2 or 1.0 EV steps
Storage media Two CompactFlash (Type I) card slots
Focusing
Focus modesSingle-servo AF (S), Continuous-servo AF (C), Manual
Focus areas51-area Nikon Multi-CAM 3500FX
Focus bracketing none
Exposure/metering
Exposure modesProgrammed Auto [P], Shutter-Priority Auto [S], Aperture-Priority Auto [A], Manual [M]
Exposure metering TTL full aperture exposure metering system
Metering modes 1,005-pixel RGB 3D Color Matrix Metering II, Variable Center-Weighted, Spot AF
Flash
Flash n/a
Flash bracketing 2-9 frames in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1 EV
Shutter
Shutter Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter
Shutter speed range30 to 1/8000 second and bulb
Continuous shooting 9 frame/s (11 frame/s in DX crop mode)
Viewfinder
Viewfinder Optical-type fixed eye level pentaprism
Image processing
White balance Auto, Presets (5), Manual, and Color temperature in kelvins
WB bracketing 2 to 9 frames, 10,20,30 MIRED steps
General
LCD screen3-inch diagonal, 307,000 pixels (920,000 dots), TFT VGA
BatteryLi-ion EN-EL4a
Optional battery packs EH-6 AC Adapter
Weight 1,240 g (2.73 lb)
Made in Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
Chronology
Predecessor Nikon D3
Successor Nikon D4

The Nikon D3S is a 12.1-megapixel professional-grade full frame (35mm) digital single-lens reflex camera (DSLR) announced by Nikon Corporation on 14 October 2009. [2] The D3S is the fourth camera in Nikon's line to feature a full-frame sensor, following the D3, D700 and D3X. It is also Nikon's first full-frame camera to feature HD (720p/30) video recording. While it retains the same number of pixels as its predecessor, the imaging sensor has been completely redesigned. [2] Nikon claims improved ultra-high image sensor sensitivity with up to ISO 102400, [3] HD movie capability for extremely low-lit situations, [4] [5] image sensor cleaning, optimized workflow speed, improved autofocus and metering, enhanced built-in RAW processor, quiet shutter-release mode, up to 4,200 frames per battery charge and other changes compared with the D3. [2] It was replaced by the D4 as Nikon's high speed flagship DSLR.

Contents

Features

Taken With Nikon D3S Golden Gate Bridge SF CA North View.jpg
Taken With Nikon D3S

Reception

Many independent reviews [6] [7] and comparisons [8] [9] [10] show that image noise was improved up to 2 stops compared to the Nikon D3 or D700. Other functions, especially autofocus and speed, support this, causing PhotographyBlog to conclude: "hand-held photography anytime, anywhere, without flash". There are comparisons with the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV, [11] which is rated 1.3 stops lower by DxOMark on their low-light ISO score (1320 ISO vs. 3253 ISO for the D3s). [12]

Low-noise videos [4] [5] [13] are valuated useful. While not officially documented in user's manual, D3s indeed features the full manual control in D-Movie mode, including aperture, shutter speed and ISO. This feature was reported and posted by various users and eventually confirmed officially. [14]

On 21 December 2009, Nikon announced [15] that NASA had purchased 11 D3s bodies and assorted lenses for use in the United States space program, including on the International Space Station. The D3s cameras are identical to the model sold to terrestrial users and will be used unmodified.

In April 2010, the D3S received a Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) 2010 Award in the category of "Best Digital SLR Professional". [16] In August 2010, the European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA) presented the D3S with the European Professional Camera 2010-2011 award, citing high ISO sensitivity combined with low noise and a high level of detail. [17] [18]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Digital single-lens reflex camera</span> Digital cameras combining the parts of a single-lens reflex camera and a digital camera back

A digital single-lens reflex camera is a digital camera that combines the optics and the mechanisms of a single-lens reflex camera with a digital imaging sensor.

Nikon D3 Digital single lens reflex camera

The Nikon D3 is a 12.0-megapixel professional-grade full frame (35 mm) digital single lens reflex camera (DSLR) announced by the Nikon Corporation on 23 August 2007 along with the Nikon D300 DX format camera. It was Nikon's first full-frame DSLR. The D3, along with the Nikon D3X, was a flagship model in Nikon's line of DSLRs, superseding the D2Hs and D2Xs. It was replaced by the D3S as Nikon's flagship DSLR. The D3, D3X, D3S, D4, D4s, D5, D6, D700, D800, D800Е and Df are the only Nikon FX format DSLRs manufactured in Japan. The D3S was replaced by the D4 in 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nikon D300</span> Digital single-lens reflex camera

The Nikon D300 is a 12.3-megapixel semi-professional DX format digital single-lens reflex camera that Nikon Corporation announced on 23 August 2007 along with the Nikon D3 FX format camera. The D300 was discontinued by Nikon on September 11, 2009, being replaced by the modified Nikon D300S, which was released July 30, 2009. The D300S remained the premier Nikon DX camera until the D7100 was released in early 2013.

Nikon D700 Digital single-lens reflex camera

The Nikon D700 is a professional-grade full-frame digital single-lens reflex camera introduced by the Nikon Corporation in July 2008 and manufactured in Japan. It uses the same 12.1-megapixel "FX" CMOS image sensor as the Nikon D3, and is Nikon's second full-frame digital SLR camera.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nikon D90</span> Digital single-lens reflex camera

The Nikon D90 is a 12.3 megapixel digital single-lens reflex camera (DSLR) model announced by Nikon on August 27, 2008. It is a prosumer model that replaces the Nikon D80, fitting between the company's entry-level and professional DSLR models. It has a Nikon DX format crop sensor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canon EOS 500D</span>

The Canon EOS 500D is a 15-megapixel entry-level digital single-lens reflex camera, announced by Canon on 25 March 2009. It was released in May 2009. It is known as the EOS Kiss X3 in Japan, and as the EOS Rebel T1i in North America. It continues the Rebel line of mid-range DSLR cameras, is placed by Canon as the next model up from the EOS 450D, and has been superseded by the EOS 550D (T2i).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nikon D5000</span> Digital single-lens reflex camera

The D5000 is a 12.3-megapixel DX-format DSLR Nikon F-mount camera, announced by Nikon on 14 April 2009. The D5000 has many features in common with the D90. It features a 2.7-inch 230,000-dot resolution tilt-and-swivel LCD monitor, live view, ISO 200–3200, 3D tracking Multi-CAM1000 11-point AF system, active D-Lighting system and automatic correction of lateral chromatic aberration. The D5000 seems to have been discontinued in November 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nikon D300S</span> Digital single-lens reflex camera

The Nikon D300S is a 12.3-megapixel DX format digital single-lens reflex camera (DSLR) announced by Nikon on 30 July 2009. It replaced the D300 as Nikon's flagship DX format DSLR adding HD video recording. It has some similarities to the Nikon D700, with the same resolution, but has a smaller, higher-density sensor. The D300s was superseded by the Nikon D500, announced on January 5, 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canon EOS 7D</span> Digital SLR camera (2009)

The Canon EOS 7D is an APS-C digital single-lens reflex camera made by Canon. It was announced on 1 September 2009 with a suggested retail price of US$1,699. Among its features are an 18.0 effective megapixel CMOS sensor, HD video recording, its 8.0 frames per second continuous shooting, new viewfinder which offers 1.0X magnification and 100% coverage, 19-point auto-focus system, movie mode, and built-in Speedlite transmitter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canon EOS-1D Mark IV</span> DSLR camera

The EOS-1D Mark IV is a professional 16.1 effective megapixels digital single lens reflex camera (DSLR) camera body produced by Canon. The EOS-1D Mark IV is the successor of the Canon EOS-1D Mark III and was announced on 20 October 2009, just four days after Nikon announced the D3s. It is currently the only Canon APS-H format DSLR to feature HD video recording at 1080p resolution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nikon D3100</span> Digital camera model

The Nikon D3100 is a 14.2-megapixel DX format DSLR Nikon F-mount camera announced by Nikon on August 19, 2010. It replaced the D3000 as Nikon's entry level DSLR. It introduced Nikon's new EXPEED 2 image processor and was the first Nikon DSLR featuring full high-definition video recording with full-time autofocus and H.264 compression, instead of Motion JPEG compression. It was also the first Nikon DSLR to provide high-definition video recording at more than one frame rate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nikon D7000</span> Digital single-lens reflex camera

The Nikon D7000 is a 16.2-megapixel digital single-lens reflex camera (DSLR) model announced by Nikon on September 15, 2010. It replaced the D90 as the top end consumer camera, but using much of the technology and controls from the earlier D5000, in a larger more robust body similar to the flagship D300 series. In some ways it was superior to the D300S, though for several years the two cameras were both available with the D300 positioned as the flagship in Nikon marketing materials.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canon EOS 600D</span> DSLR camera

The Canon EOS 600D is an 18.0 megapixel digital single-lens reflex camera, released by Canon on 7 February 2011. It is known as the EOS Kiss X5 in Japan and the EOS Rebel T3i in America. The 600D is the second Canon EOS camera with an articulating LCD screen and supersedes the 550D, although the earlier model was not discontinued until June 2012, when the successor of the 600D, the 650D, was announced.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nikon D5100</span> Digital single-lens reflex camera

The Nikon D5100 is a 16.2-megapixel DX-format DSLR F-mount camera announced by Nikon on April 5, 2011. It features the same 16.2-megapixel CMOS sensor as the D7000 with 14-bit depth, while delivering Full HD 1080p video mode at either 24, 25 or 30fps. The D5100 is the first Nikon DSLR to offer 1080p video at a choice of frame rates; previous Nikon DSLRs that recorded 1080p only did so at 24 fps. It replaced the D5000 and was replaced by the D5200.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nikon D800</span> Digital single-lens reflex camera

The Nikon D800 is a 36.3-megapixel professional-grade full-frame digital single-lens reflex camera produced by Nikon Corporation. It was given a Gold Award by Digital Photography Review.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nikon D4</span> Digital single-lens reflex camera

The Nikon D4 is a 16.2-megapixel professional-grade full frame (35mm) digital single-lens reflex camera (DSLR) announced by Nikon Corporation on 6 January 2012. It succeeds the Nikon D3S and introduces a number of improvements including a 16.2 megapixel sensor, improved auto-focus and metering sensors and the ability to shoot at an extended ISO speed of 204,800. The camera was released in February 2012 at a recommended retail price of $5999.95. It is the first camera to use the new XQD memory cards. It was replaced by the Nikon D4S as Nikon's flagship camera.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nikon D600</span> Digital single-lens reflex camera

The Nikon D600 is a 24.3-effective-megapixel FX-format full-frame digital SLR camera from Nikon released on September 13, 2012 targeted at professionals and enthusiasts. It began shipping on September 18, 2012; at introduction, its suggested retail price in the U.S. was $2099 for the body only and $2699 with a 24–85 mm kit lens. The Nikon D600 was given a Gold Award by Digital Photography Review.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nikon D7100</span> Digital single-lens reflex camera

The Nikon D7100 is a 24.1-megapixel digital single-lens reflex camera model announced by Nikon in February 2013. It is a 'prosumer' model that replaces the Nikon D7000 as Nikon's flagship DX-format camera, fitting between the company's entry-level and professional DSLR models. This camera is the first ever of Nikon, with no optical low-pass filter incorporated. At launch, Nikon gave the D7100 estimated selling price in the United States as US$ 949.95 for the body.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nikon D7500</span> Digital single-lens reflex camera

The Nikon D7500 is a 20.9-megapixel digital single-lens reflex camera using an APS-C sensor. It was announced by Nikon Corporation on 12 April 2017, and started shipping on 2 June 2017. It is the successor to the Nikon D7200 as Nikon's DX format midrange DSLR.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nikon D850</span> Digital single-lens reflex camera

The Nikon D850 is a professional-grade full-frame digital single-lens reflex camera (DSLR) produced by Nikon. The camera was officially announced on July 25, 2017, launched on August 24, 2017, and first shipped on September 8, 2017. Nikon announced it could not fill the preorders on August 28, 2017 and filled less than 10% of preorders on the first shipping day. It is the successor to the Nikon D810.

References

  1. ↑ Full Frame DSLR Cameras Part I - Nikon vs Sony Archived 2019-05-21 at the Wayback Machine Chipworks
  2. 1 2 3 "Digital SLR Camera Nikon D3S". Nikon Corporation. October 14, 2009. Retrieved December 16, 2009.
  3. ↑ "Nikon D3S Sample Images". Nikon Corporation. Archived from the original on 2010-11-04. Retrieved December 16, 2009.
  4. 1 2 3 Melanson, Donald (October 14, 2009). "Nikon D3S shows its high ISO prowess in two sample videos". Engadget. Retrieved October 16, 2009.
  5. 1 2 3 "NIKON D3S TEST". Scanout.com. October 13, 2009. Retrieved December 16, 2009.[ dead YouTube link ]
  6. ↑ "Nikon D3S – Digital Camera Reviews". Digital Camera Tracker. Retrieved January 7, 2010.
  7. ↑ "Nikon D3S review summary". Dcviews. Retrieved January 7, 2010.
  8. ↑ A first look at Nikon D3S high ISO image quality, plus the new 70-200mm f/2.8 Rob Galbraith digital photography
  9. ↑ Review: Nikon D3S & 70-200VR II Webshooter: Joe McNally
  10. ↑ dkamera.de: Nikon D3s Image quality comparison (German)
  11. ↑ Canon 1D Mark IV vs. Nikon D3s ISO Comparison Eric Reagan on Photography Bay
  12. ↑ Canon EOS 1D Mark IV vs Nikon D3s Dxomark
  13. ↑ Atherton, Nigel (October 14, 2009). "Video: Nikon D3s First Look". What Digital Camera. Retrieved December 16, 2009.
  14. ↑ Rob (Dec 8, 2009). "Nikon officially confirmed D3s with manual settings for video". Slashcam.com. Retrieved Jan 1, 2010.
  15. ↑ "NASA Orders D3S Digital SLR Cameras and Interchangeable Lenses from Nikon". Nikon. Dec 21, 2009. Retrieved Oct 31, 2010.
  16. ↑ "Nikon receives 2 TIPA Awards 2010". Nikon Corporation. 2010-04-27. Retrieved 2010-05-01.
  17. ↑ "European Professional Camera 2010-2011 - Nikon D3S". European Imaging and Sound Association. Archived from the original on 2010-08-18. Retrieved August 16, 2010.
  18. ↑ "Nikon D3S Digital SLR camera and AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II interchangeable lens for SLR cameras receive EISA awards". Nikon Corporation. August 16, 2010. Retrieved August 16, 2010.
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