• 35mm 860.4mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • APS-C 370.5mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 50,000
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D3S
  • Leica CL
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Nikon D2Hs
D2Hs vs D3S
 
Successor: Nikon D4
D3S vs D4
 
General
Model Number: D3S CL
Alternate Model Number(s):   Type 7323
Camera Format: Pro SLR Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $5199.95 $2795.00
Street Price:   $3,195.00
Date Available: 2009-11-30 2017-11-30
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 49.7 oz (1,410 g)
includes batteries
17.0 oz (483 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 6.3 x 6.2 x 3.4 in.
(160 x 157 x 88 mm)
5.2 x 3.1 x 1.8 in.
(131 x 78 x 45 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:    
Effective Megapixels: 12.1 24.2
Sensor Format: 35mm APS-C
Sensor size: 860.4mm2 (36.00mm x 23.90mm) 370.52mm2 (23.60mm x 15.70mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 8.46 microns 3.92 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.0x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed None
Self-Cleaning: Yes No
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 82  
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 23.5  
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.0  
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 3,253  
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)
6016 x 4014 (24.1 MP, 3:2),
6000 x 4000 (24.0 MP, 3:2),
4272 x 2856 (12.2 MP, 3:2),
3024 x 2016 (6.1 MP, 3:2)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; compr JPEG, 14-bit .DNG RAW, RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 9.0 10.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (24)
640x424 (24)
320x216 (24)
3840x2160 (30p)
1920x1080 (60p/​30p)
1280x720 (30p)
Movie File Format: Motion JPEG MP4 with stereo audio
Composite Video Out: Yes No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: Yes n/a
HD Video Out: Yes No
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Nikon F Leica L bayonet
Lens: n/a Leica Elmarit-TL 18mm f/2.8 ASPH. lens; 8 elements in 6 groups
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):   27mm
Focal Length (actual):   18mm
Zoom Ratio:   1.00x
Aperture Range:   f/2.8 - f/16
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   30 cm to Infinity
11.8 in to Infinity
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 49-point Contrast Detection AF: Single point, multiple point, spot, face detection, touch AF + release
Auto Focus Assist Light? No Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD EVF / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, interchangeable screen, 100%, 0.7x, 18mm eyepoint, -3.0 to +1.0 2.36M-dot 4:3 EyeRes EVF, 0.74x equivalent magnification, 20mm eyepoint, -4 to +4 diopter, eye sensor
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a 2,359,296 dots (786,432 pixels)
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.70x 0.74x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.70x 1.11x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 920,000 dots 1,040,000 dots
Touchscreen: No Yes
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 27.0x  
Top Deck Display: Yes Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 12800 50000
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 - 50000
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, twelve manual modes can be preset with fine-tuning; color temperature setting, custom Auto, daylight, cloud, halogen lighting, shade, electronic flash, graycard (custom), manual color temperature setting
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/25000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 1005-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II, Center-weighted, Spot (1.5%) centered on selected focus area Multi-field, center-weighted, spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: None Sport, portrait, landscape, night portrait, snow/beach, fireworks, candlelight, sunset, digiscoping, miniature, panorama, HDR
Self Timer: 2/5/10/20 seconds 2 or 12 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):   Yes
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 1/180
Flash Exposure Compensation:   +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: ISO-type hot-shoe contact; safety lock provided; PC Sync terminal Hot shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-II
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: Yes No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; compr 14-bit .DNG RAW, RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: Motion JPEG MP4 with stereo audio
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes No
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional wired Via Wi-Fi
Connections (extended): HDMI Out, DC Input, 10-pin Expansion Terminal, External Stereo Mic  
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.34  
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.34  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 58  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 0.34  
Camera penalizes early shutter press? Yes
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 9.0 10.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 90 140
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 9.1 10.0
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 41  
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 9.1 10.0
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 36 33
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.20 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR): 0.51 seconds  
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR): 0.423 seconds  
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.043 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.043 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  
Startup Time: 0.3 seconds  
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power:    
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   220 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 4200 shots 220 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL4a Proprietary
Usable Battery Types: Lithium Ion rechargeable BP-DC12 (7.2V 1200mAh) Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL4a Lithium Ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary BP-DC12 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 Leica CL App (remote control and image transfer, free download from Apple App-Store/Google Play Store)
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Available in black.