- 35mm 860.4mm2
- 12.1 megapixels
- ISO 200 - 12,800
- Go in depth with our full Nikon D3S Review.
- See real-world photos taken with the D3S.
| Links | ||
|---|---|---|
| Prices: | ||
| Manufacturer URL: | Manufacturer website | Manufacturer website |
| Predecessor: |
Nikon D2Hs
D2Hs vs D3S |
Leica S2
S2 vs S3 |
| Successor: |
Nikon D4
D3S vs D4 |
|
| General | ||
| Model Number: | D3S | S3 |
| Alternate Model Number(s): | ||
| Camera Format: | Pro SLR | Pro SLR |
| Currently Manufactured: | No | Yes |
| Retail Price: | $5199.95 | $19.00 |
| Street Price: | ||
| Date Available: | 2009-11-30 | 2020-03-06 |
| Tripod Mount: | Yes | Yes |
| Weight: |
49.7 oz
(1,410 g)
includes batteries |
44.4 oz
(1,260 g)
includes batteries |
| Size: |
6.3 x
6.2 x
3.4 in. (160 x 157 x 88 mm) |
6.3 x
4.7 x
3.1 in. (160 x 120 x 80 mm) |
| Waterproof: | No | No |
| Waterproof Depth: | n/a | n/a |
| Image Sensor | ||
| Sensor Type: | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor Manufacturer: | ||
| Effective Megapixels: | 12.1 | 64.0 |
| Sensor Format: | 35mm | Medium format |
| Sensor size: | 860.4mm2 (36.00mm x 23.90mm) | 1350mm2 (45.00mm x 30.00mm) |
| Approximate Pixel Pitch: | 8.46 microns | 4.59 microns |
| Focal Length Multiplier: | 1.0x | 0.8x |
| 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) |
9800 x 6530 (64.0 MP, 3:2) |
| Image File Format: | JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; compr | JPEG, RAW (Adobe .DNG), RAW+JPEG Fine/Basic |
| Continuous-mode frames/second: | 9.0 | 3.0 |
| Video Capture | ||
| Can take movies: | Yes | Yes |
| Movie Resolution: |
1280x720 (24)
640x424 (24) 320x216 (24) |
4096x2160 (24p)
1920x1080 (30p/25p/24p) |
| Movie File Format: | Motion JPEG | MOV (motion JPEG) |
| Composite Video Out: | Yes | No |
| NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: | Yes | n/a |
| Video Usable as Viewfinder: | Yes | n/a |
| HD Video Out: | Yes | Yes |
| HD Video Connection: | HDMI | HDMI |
| Lens & Optics | ||
| Lens Mount: | Nikon F | Leica S bayonet |
| 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 | No |
| Digital Zoom Values: | n/a | 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 TTL with central cross-hair sensor: Choice of AFs (single) = Sharpness priority, AFc (continuous) = Shutter release priority, MF (manual), Manual override of automatic setting possible at any time; Contrast detect AF during live view at any point in image |
| 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 | High eyepoint pentaprism viewfinder, 98% coverage, 0.87x magnification, -3 to +1 diopter correction, interchangeable focusing screen, ground glass screen with microprism ring and split image (standard) |
| Focus Peaking: | No | Yes |
| EVF Resolution: | n/a | n/a |
| Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): | 0.70x | 1.09x |
| Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): | 0.70x | 0.87x |
| Display | ||
| Eye-level Viewfinder: | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Display: | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Display Size (inches): | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Rear Display Resolution: | 920,000 dots | 921,600 dots |
| Touchscreen: | No | No |
| 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, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12500, 25000, 50000 |
| Auto ISO Mode: | Yes | Yes |
| White Balance Settings: | Auto, twelve manual modes can be preset with fine-tuning; color temperature setting, custom | Automatic, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent, HMI, Fluorescent, Halogen warm, Halogen cool, Flash, Tungsten, Grey card (determined from image), Grey card Live View, Color temperature (Kelvin) |
| Shutter Speed Range: | 1/8000 - 30 sec | 1/4000 - 125 sec |
| Bulb Mode: | Yes | Yes |
| Exposure Compensation: | +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps | +/- 3.0EV in 0.5EV steps |
| Metering Modes: | 1005-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II, Center-weighted, Spot (1.5%) centered on selected focus area | Multi-segment (5 fields), Center-weighted, Spot (3.5% of image frame) |
| Program Auto Exposure: | Yes | Yes |
| Aperture Priority: | Yes | Yes |
| Shutter Priority: | Yes | Yes |
| Full Manual Exposure: | Yes | Yes |
| Creative Exposure Modes: | None | |
| Self Timer: | 2/5/10/20 seconds | 2, 12 seconds |
| Time Lapse (intervalometer): | ||
| High Resolution Composite: | No | No |
| Flash | ||
| Built-in Flash: | No | No |
| Flash Modes: | n/a | TTL pre-flash metering, with automatic transmission and consideration of sensitivity and set/controlled lens aperture, all exposure modes available, automatic adaptation of flash light component to available light; First or second curtain sync |
| Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): | n/a | n/a |
| Flash Range Description: | n/a | n/a |
| Max Flash Sync: | 1/250 | 1/125 or 1/1000 depending on lens (shutter type) |
| 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 | CF1 / SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| UHS Support: | No UHS support | |
| Other Memory: | Dual SD + CF (UDMA7) | |
| Dual Card Slots: | Yes | Yes |
| RAW Capture Support: | Yes | Yes |
| Uncompressed Format: | RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; compr | RAW (Adobe .DNG), RAW+JPEG Fine/Basic |
| Movie File Format: | Motion JPEG | MOV (motion JPEG) |
| 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 | Yes |
| Microphone Jack: | No | Yes |
| Headphone Jack: | No | Yes |
| External Connections: | USB 2.0 High Speed | USB 3.0 Super Speed,WiFi |
| PictBridge Compliant: | Yes | No |
| DPOF Compliant: | Yes | No |
| Remote Control: | Yes | Yes |
| Remote Control Type: | Optional wired | Cabled or Wi-Fi |
| Connections (extended): | HDMI Out, DC Input, 10-pin Expansion Terminal, External Stereo Mic | Mini HDMI Type C, X-sync, 7-pin LEMO socket for remote accessories, contact strip for multi-function hand grip, audio in (3.5 mm jack) and audio out (3.5 mm jack) with audio adapter S (supplied with the camera) |
| 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 | 3.0 |
| Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): | 90 | Unlimited |
| RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): | 9.1 | 3.0 |
| Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): | 41 | 6 |
| RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): | 9.1 | |
| Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): | 36 | |
| 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): | ||
| Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): | 4200 shots | |
| Battery Life, Video: | ||
| Battery Form Factor: | Proprietary EN-EL4a | Proprietary 7.4V, 2850mAh |
| Usable Battery Types: | Lithium Ion rechargeable | Lithium-ion rechargeable |
| Batteries Included: | 1 x Proprietary EN-EL4a Lithium Ion rechargeable | 1 x 7.4V, 2850mAh Lithium-ion rechargeable |
| Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): | Yes | Yes |
| Dedicated Battery Charger Included: | Yes | No |
| Internal Charging Supported: | No | No |
| Software | ||
| Included Software: | PictureProject | |
| OS Compatibility: | Windows, Mac OS | |
| Miscellaneous | ||
| Notes & Features: | ||
