- Conclusion Get the lowdown
- Features How it compares
- Performance Real world benchmarks
- Differences Technical showdown
- Reviews Word on the street
- Competition Others to consider
- Discussion Answers and opinions
Nikon D3S
- 12.1 MP
- Full frame CMOS
- 3" LCD
Released October, 2009
Rated 89% by by DPReview (Feb, 2010)The new video mode is definitely an improvement over similar modes in previous Nikon DSLRs, and you'll find a detailed account of exactly why in the video page of this review.
Conclusion Check out the Nikon D3S
First reviewed December, 2011
Features Key features of the Nikon D3S
12.1 MP
Full frame
Rated 100% by by Photography Blog (Feb, 2010)The build quality is excellent, and so is the handling.
megapixels
| 0 MP | 36.2 MP    | 40 MP |
D3S by Photography Blog (Feb, 2010)One advantage of the 1.2x crop mode over 1.5x DX is that you get more resolution (8.4 megapixels versus 5.1).
D3S by DPReview (Feb, 2010)At their respective pixel counts, it is debatable whether either camera could perform any better.
sensor size
D3S by James-M.-WorthingtonCurrently, Canon doesn't offer a full frame sports body, so I ended up carrying a 5D Mk II for wide angle shots, in addition to the 1D Mk II & IV bodies.
D3S by DPReview (Feb, 2010)Despite its higher resolution (16MP) and slightly smaller (APS-H format) CMOS sensor, its ISO span is slightly wider than the D3S, from ISO 50-102,400 including expansion settings.
viewfinder size
D3S by DPReview (Feb, 2010)One figure hidden away in every SLR's spec is the size of the viewfinder (often in a format that makes comparison between competing models difficult).
D3S by DPReview (Feb, 2010)The size of the viewfinder is a key factor in the usability of an SLR - the bigger it is, the easier it is to frame and focus your shots, and the more enjoyable and involving a process it is.
body size
160 x 157 x 88 mm
92 x 56 x 20 mm
97 x 56 x 22 mm
D3S by Photography Blog (Feb, 2010)In fact, the body ergonomics and the weight distribution of the camera are so good that it feels perfectly balanced and very much like a natural extension of your hands.
D3S by Photography Blog (Feb, 2010)Center-Weighted: Weight of 75% given to 12-mm circle in center of frame, diameter of circle can be changed to 8, 15 or 20 mm, or weighting can be based on average of entire frame (non-CPU lenses use 12-mm circle or average of entire frame) 3.
focus points
| 0 | 51   | 60 |
D3S by Photography Blog (Feb, 2010)Thankfully, the AF points aren't engraved on the focusing screen, so you only see the one in use, which goes a long way toward avoiding viewfinder clutter.
D3S by DPReview (Feb, 2010)The AF points are not etched onto the focusing screen, but are displayed on the LCD layer sandwiched inside it.
Performance Real world tests of Nikon D3S
DxOMark image quality
D3S by Photography Blog (Feb, 2010)As to other aspects of image quality, they are also top notch: colours are pleasing, tonality is superb, dynamic range is wide.
D3S by Anthony-Loh (Aug, 2011)I can take beautiful pictures of his during the daytime when there is plenty of natural light, but not so during the evening or night time when the light is much dimmer.
DxOMark low light performance
D3S by R.-Adams--Via-Corsa-Car-Lover-s-Guidebooks (Dec, 2009)Pictures in dimly lit rooms - less noise and the colors and saturation are great.
D3S by R.-Adams--Via-Corsa-Car-Lover-s-Guidebooks (Dec, 2009)So far the pictures I've take at the highest setting basically turns this camera into your own "night vision" camera.
shutter lag
| 0 ms | 290 ms | 200 ms |
D3S by DPReview (Feb, 2010)It is good that Nikon has catered for the variation of types of fluorescent bulbs on the market, but to be honest, by the time you've taken enough experimental images to establish the correct one for your specific lighting, you may as well have created a custom white balance reading.
D3S by Harry-Spooner--Harry-Spooner (Feb, 2010)Now I am totally comfortable shooting cleanly at 12,800 which allows me to increase my shutter speeds.
continuous shooting
D3S by DPReview (Feb, 2010)Shooting JPEGs increases the camera's buffer to the maximum 130 shots per burst, and JPEG files are also a far more practical proposition when emailing or wirelessly transmitting images.
D3S by DPReview (Feb, 2010)In this mode the maximum frame rate of 9fps is unchanged compared to FX format, but large/fine JPEGs can be recorded in full speed bursts of around 105 frames, as opposed to 78.
battery life
4,200 photos
250 photos
900 photos
D3S by DPReview (Feb, 2010)Add its full weatherproofing, excellent battery life and rugged construction into the mix, and you have a truly 'go anywhere' camera.
D3S by DPReview (Feb, 2010)Specified battery life according to Nikon is up to 4,200 images in normal conditions, and this is born out in our testing.
Our analysis How does it stack up against its top 10 competitors
pros
-
4,200 -
focusing system -
HD video -
Generic -
Gives you more flexibility when framing your shot -
94.14% -
3,253 ISO -
Opaque -
51 -
300 ms -
1/8000 s
cons
-
Oct, 2009 -
3" -
921 k dots -
82.0 -
12.1 MP -
23.5 bits -
HD video -
12.0 ev -
No automatic HDR -
None -
The screen is fixed in place -
Taking quality photos in low-light will require external hardware -
No geotagging included -
No automatic stitching -
160 x 157 x 88 mm -
88 mm -
1,240 g
Reviews Word on the street
 |  
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|---|---|
 |
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 | Rated by 40 users at amazon.com Rated 100% by by Jeffrey-Shapiro (Jul, 2012) Rated 100% by by Julius-Glickstein (Jan, 2011) Rated 100% by by Bernhard-J.-Gaarsoe (Jan, 2010) |
Sensor
Nikon D3S | Rated 100% by by Jeffrey-Shapiro (Jul, 2012)Editing the files are quick and I have taken shots up to ISO 16,000-25,600 and they are freaking amazing awesome little to no noise.
Nikon D3S | Rated 89% by by DPReview (Feb, 2010)The focusing screen also features automatic masking if you attach a DX format lens, a portion of the view is grayed out indicating the active sensor area.
Nikon D3S | Rated 89% by by DPReview (Feb, 2010)Raw files were 14-bit NEF, shot in lossless (uncompressed) mode for maximum quality.
Iso
Nikon D3S | Rated 89% by by DPReview (Feb, 2010)It offers exceptionally good image quality across an extremely wide range of ISO settings, and its key systems (AF, white balance and metering) are at least on a par with the best available in other cameras from rival manufacturers.
Nikon D3S | Rated 89% by by DPReview (Feb, 2010)From the minor (faster contrast-detection AF in Live View) to the major (a whole 2EV extra ISO range), the various tweaks and additions to its feature set make the D3S a significantly more useful camera than the D3.
Nikon D3S | Rated 100% by by Jose-Sanabria--Joe-Image-Hunter (Nov, 2011)I was able to shoot at ISO 2500 and at a speed of 400 getting crystal clear and sharp images.
Focus
Nikon D3S | Rated 100% by by Colorado-JoeI traded my AF-S DX 18-200 f/3.5-5.6 VR zoom lens for two much bigger and heavier lenses: the AF-S 24-70 f2.8G ED and the AF-S NIKKOR 70-200 f/2.8G ED VRII, and there's simply no comparison in terms of color balance, sharpness and low-light performance.
Nikon D3S | Rated 89% by by DPReview (Feb, 2010)We wouldn't normally devote two pages to discussing a DSLR's AF performance, partly because AF - and especially AF tracking - is difficult (to say the least) to test in a consistent and clear way.
Nikon D3S | Rated 89% by by DPReview (Feb, 2010)If speed is of the essence or if your subject is moving, accurate focus and composition are far from guaranteed.
Image quality
Nikon D3S | Rated 100% by by R.-Adams--Via-Corsa-Car-Lover-s-Guidebooks (Dec, 2009)Contrast is good as is saturation.
Nikon D3S | Rated 100% by by Colorado-JoeAnd the image quality is simply stunning, although you really should invest in high-caliber glass to get the most out of this camera.
Nikon D3S | Rated 100% by by James-Wright (Jul, 2011)It just feels so right in your hand the image quality is superb!
Autofocus
Nikon D3S | Rated 100% by by Photography Blog (Feb, 2010)And while manual-focus lenses obviously won't autofocus, the D3S' AF sensors remain active, and the green focus confirmation dot will light up when the subject is in focus.
Nikon D3S | Rated 89% by by DPReview (Feb, 2010)Note that the exact function of the AF area mode also depends on the focus mode (AF-S or AF-C).
Nikon D3S | Rated 89% by by DPReview (Feb, 2010)As such it represents a huge leap forwards in terms of complexity and versatility compared to the 11-point AF system in the previous generation D2-series.
Competition What else you should consider
 | 1 | Nikon D700 OK viewfinder D700 vs D3S |
 | 2 | Nikon D800 Best image quality as rated by DXOMark D800 vs D3S |
 | 3 | Canon EOS 6D OK benchmarked shot to shot times Canon EOS 6D vs Nikon D3S |
 | 4 | Nikon D3X Most shots per battery charge D3X vs D3S |
 | 5 | Nikon Coolpix S8200 Most zoom Coolpix S8200 vs D3S |
 | 6 | Canon IXUS 220 HS Shoots high speed video Canon IXUS 220 HS vs Nikon D3S |
 | 7 | Olympus SH-25MR Fastest rapid fire mode Olympus SH-25MR vs Nikon D3S |
 | 8 | Olympus FE-4040 Fastest lens Olympus FE-4040 vs Nikon D3S |
New duel?
Let the battle continue or dare to compare.
Discussions Get involved, ask your question about the Nikon D3S
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