• 35mm 860.4mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D3S
  • Canon EOS-1D X
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Nikon D2Hs
D2Hs vs D3S
Canon 1Ds Mark III
1Ds Mark III vs 1DX
Successor: Nikon D4
D3S vs D4
Canon 1DX Mark II
1DX vs 1DX Mark II
General
Model Number: D3S 1DX
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $5199.95 $6800.00
Street Price:   $5,299.00
Date Available: 2009-11-30 2012-06-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 49.7 oz (1,410 g)
includes batteries
54.7 oz (1,551 g)
includes batteries
Size: 6.3 x 6.2 x 3.4 in.
(160 x 157 x 88 mm)
6.2 x 6.4 x 3.3 in.
(158 x 164 x 83 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Canon
Effective Megapixels: 12.1 18.1
Sensor Format: 35mm 35mm
Sensor size: 860.4mm2 (36.00mm x 23.90mm) 864mm2 (36.00mm x 24.00mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 8.46 microns 6.94 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.0x 1.0x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 82 82
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 23.5 23.8
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.0 11.8
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 3,253 2,786
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4256 x 2832 (12.1 MP, 3:2),
3184 x 2120 (6.8 MP, 3:2),
2128 x 1416 (3.0 MP, 3:2),
2784 x 1848 (5.1 MP, Other),
2080 x 1384 (2.9 MP, 3:2),
1392 x 920 (1.3 MP, Other),
3552 x 2832 (10.1 MP, 5:4),
2656 x 2120 (5.6 MP, 5:4),
1776 x 1416 (2.5 MP, 5:4),
3552 x 2368 (8.4 MP, 3:2),
2656 x 1776 (4.7 MP, 3:2),
1776 x 1184 (2.1 MP, 3:2)
5184 x 3456 (17.9 MP, 3:2),
4608 x 3072 (14.2 MP, 3:2),
3456 x 2304 (8.0 MP, 3:2),
2592 x 1728 (4.5 MP, 3:2)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; compr JPEG, RAW, M-RAW (10.1MP), S-RAW (4.5MP); 14-bit CR2; RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 9.0 12.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (24)
640x424 (24)
320x216 (24)
1920x1080 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p)
640x480 (30p/​25p)
Movie File Format: Motion JPEG MOV (Video: H.264 Intra/Inter frame, Sound: Linear PCM)
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: Yes
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Nikon F Canon EF
Lens: n/a n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):    
Focal Length (actual):    
Zoom Ratio:    
Aperture Range:    
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:    
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: No
Digital Zoom Values: n/a  
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 51-point TTL phase detection via Nikon Multi-CAM 3500FX with 15 cross-type and 36 line-type sensors Phase Detect : 61-point / 41 F4 cross-type AF points inc 5 dual cross type at F2.8; Spot, Single, Single + Adj 4 pts, Single + Adj 8 pts, Zone, Auto
Auto Focus Assist Light? No No
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, interchangeable screen, 100%, 0.7x, 18mm eyepoint, -3.0 to +1.0 SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.76x magnification, 20mm eyepoint, -3.0 to +1.0 diopter
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.70x 0.76x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.70x 0.76x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.2
Rear Display Resolution: 920,000 dots 1,040,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 27.0x 10.0x
Top Deck Display: Yes Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 12800 51200
Minimum ISO (native): 200 100
ISO Settings: Auto, 200 - 12,800, plus down to 100 in Lo-1, up to 102,400 in Hi-3 Auto (100-51200), 100-51200 (in 1/3-stop or whole stop increments), ISO can be expanded to L: 50, H1: 102400, H2: 204800
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, twelve manual modes can be preset with fine-tuning; color temperature setting, custom Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, White Fluorescent light, Flash, Custom (up to 5), Color Temperature (Kelvin)
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/8000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 1005-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II, Center-weighted, Spot (1.5%) centered on selected focus area 100K-pixel RGB sensor: 252-zone Evaluative (35 zones in low light), Center-weighted, Partial, Spot (Center, AF Point-linked, Multi (max 8 spots))
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: None Multiple Exposure.
Self Timer: 2/5/10/20 seconds 10, 2 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):   No
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: No No
Flash Modes: n/a n/a
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: n/a n/a
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 1/250
Flash Exposure Compensation:   +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: ISO-type hot-shoe contact; safety lock provided; PC Sync terminal PC Sync, Hot Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 CF1 / CF2
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:   UDMA7 compliant
Dual Card Slots: Yes Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; compr RAW, M-RAW (10.1MP), S-RAW (4.5MP); 14-bit CR2; RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: Motion JPEG MOV (Video: H.264 Intra/Inter frame, Sound: Linear PCM)
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No Yes
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed,Ethernet
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional wired Optional wired (N3 contact), wireless
Connections (extended): HDMI Out, DC Input, 10-pin Expansion Terminal, External Stereo Mic System extension terminal, RJ-45 LAN (1000BASE-T), mini HDMI, stereo mic mini jack, PC-sync terminal
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.34 <0.3
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.34 <0.3
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 58 Unlimited
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 0.34 <0.3
Camera penalizes early shutter press? Yes No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 9.0 12.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 90 56
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 9.1 12.0
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 41 31
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 9.1 12.0
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 36 16
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.20 seconds 0.13 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR): 0.51 seconds 0.75 seconds
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR): 0.423 seconds 0.064 seconds
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.043 seconds 0.095 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.043 seconds 0.056 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Optical Viewfinder AF lag: 51-point Auto-Area Full AF = 0.361s Live View AF Lag: Hand-held mode Full AF = 0.511s Tripod mode Full AF = 2.66s Tripod mode Prefocused = 0.423 Full AF lag, wide-area mode = 0.221s Prefocused lag, Shortened enabled = 0.038s Live View AF lag, phase-detect = 0.897s Live View AF lag, contrast-detect = 0.746s Live View prefocused lag = 0.064s
Startup Time: 0.3 seconds 0.5 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds 0.2 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:    
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 4200 shots 1120 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL4a Proprietary LP-E4N
Usable Battery Types: Lithium Ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL4a Lithium Ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary LP-E4N Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No No
Software
Included Software: PictureProject Digital Photo Professional, EOS Utility, ZoomBrowser EX / ImageBrowser, Photostitch, Picture Style Editor
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS Windows XP (SP2/SP3) / Vista inc SP1 (excl. Starter Edition) / 7 (excl. Starter Edition); OS X v10.4-10.6
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: 18MP Full-frame CMOS sensor with 16-channel readout, dual DIGIC 5+ processors, advanced dust reduction, new 100K-pixel RGB metering system, new 61-point AF system, 12 fps burst (up to 14 fps in JPEG only, mirror locked-up), dual CF card slots, GbE port.