- 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 |
|
| Successor: |
Nikon D4
D3S vs D4 |
|
| General | ||
| Model Number: | D3S | SL2-S |
| Alternate Model Number(s): | ||
| Camera Format: | Pro SLR | Compact System Camera |
| Currently Manufactured: | No | Yes |
| Retail Price: | $5199.95 | $4895.00 |
| Street Price: | ||
| Date Available: | 2009-11-30 | 2020-12-21 |
| Tripod Mount: | Yes | Yes |
| Weight: |
49.7 oz
(1,410 g)
includes batteries |
32.8 oz
(931 g)
includes batteries |
| Size: |
6.3 x
6.2 x
3.4 in. (160 x 157 x 88 mm) |
5.7 x
4.2 x
3.3 in. (146 x 107 x 83 mm) |
| Waterproof: | No | No |
| Waterproof Depth: | n/a | n/a |
| Image Sensor | ||
| Sensor Type: | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor Manufacturer: | ||
| Effective Megapixels: | 12.1 | 24.6 |
| 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 | 5.93 microns |
| Focal Length Multiplier: | 1.0x | 1.0x |
| Aspect Ratio: | 3:2 | 3:2 |
| Color Filter Type: | RGBG | RGBG |
| Anti Aliasing Filter: | Fixed | None |
| Self-Cleaning: | Yes | Yes |
| Sensor shift image stabilization: | No | Yes |
| 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) |
6072 x 4056 (24.6 MP, 3:2) |
| Image File Format: | JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; compr | JPEG, .DNG RAW (14-bit), RAW+JPEG |
| Continuous-mode frames/second: | 9.0 | 25.0 |
| Video Capture | ||
| Can take movies: | Yes | Yes |
| Movie Resolution: |
1280x720 (24)
640x424 (24) 320x216 (24) |
4096x2160 (60p/50p/30p/25p/24p)
3840x2160 (60p/50p/30p/25p/24p) 1920x1080 (180p/120p/100p/60p/50p/30p/25p/24p) |
| Movie File Format: | Motion JPEG | MP4: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC (Audio Format: 2ch 48 kHz/16 bit, AAC), MOV: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC (Audio Format: 2ch 48 kHz/16 bit, AC-3) |
| 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 L 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 | Yes |
| 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 | Contrast-detect AF with depth mapping "Leica Object Detection AF": 225 zones; Spot (can be shifted), Field (can be shifted), Multi-Field, Zone, Face detection, object Tracking, optional Touch AF; Smart AF (autonomously selects AFs and AFc), AFs (picture taken only after successful focusing), AFc (picture can be taken at any time), AF setting can be saved |
| Auto Focus Assist Light? | No | No |
| 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 | EVF: 5.76M-dot "EyeRes" OLED, 0.78x magnification (50mm lens at infinity, -1dpt), 100% coverage, 21mm eyepoint, -4 to +2 diopter, 120 fps, eye sensor |
| Focus Peaking: | No | Yes |
| EVF Resolution: | n/a | 5,760,000 dots (1,920,000 pixels) |
| Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): | 0.70x | |
| Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): | 0.70x | |
| Display | ||
| Eye-level Viewfinder: | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Display: | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Display Size (inches): | 3.0 | 3.2 |
| Rear Display Resolution: | 920,000 dots | 2,100,000 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 | 100000 |
| Minimum ISO (native): | 200 | 50 |
| ISO Settings: | Auto, 200 - 12,800, plus down to 100 in Lo-1, up to 102,400 in Hi-3 | Auto, ISO 50 to 100,000 |
| Auto ISO Mode: | Yes | Yes |
| White Balance Settings: | Auto, twelve manual modes can be preset with fine-tuning; color temperature setting, custom | Auto, Daylight 5200 K, Cloudy 6000 K, Shade 7000 K, Tungsten 3200 K, HMI 5600 K, Fluorescent warm 4000 K, Fluorescent cool 4500 K, Flash 5400 K, Grey Card, Grey Card Live View, Manual color temperature 2000K to 11500K |
| Shutter Speed Range: | 1/8000 - 30 sec | 1/16000 - 500 sec |
| Bulb Mode: | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | |
| Self Timer: | 2/5/10/20 seconds | 2 or 12 seconds |
| Time Lapse (intervalometer): | ||
| High Resolution Composite: | No | 187.0 megapixels |
| Flash | ||
| Built-in Flash: | No | No |
| Flash Modes: | n/a | TTL Auto, Manual |
| 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: | +/- 2.0 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: | Both slots support UHS-II | |
| Dual Card Slots: | Yes | Yes |
| RAW Capture Support: | Yes | Yes |
| Uncompressed Format: | RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; compr | .DNG RAW (14-bit), RAW+JPEG |
| Movie File Format: | Motion JPEG | MP4: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC (Audio Format: 2ch 48 kHz/16 bit, AAC), MOV: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC (Audio Format: 2ch 48 kHz/16 bit, AC-3) |
| Included Memory: | No memory included | No memory included |
| Included Memory Type: | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Built-In Wi-Fi: | No | Yes |
| NFC: | No | |
| Bluetooth: | No | Yes |
| Built-In GPS: | No | No |
| Microphone Jack: | No | Yes |
| Headphone Jack: | No | Yes |
| External Connections: | USB 2.0 High Speed | USB 3.0 Super Speed,Bluetooth,WiFi |
| PictBridge Compliant: | Yes | No |
| DPOF Compliant: | Yes | No |
| Remote Control: | Yes | Yes |
| Remote Control Type: | Optional wired | Wired or via Wi-Fi/Bluetooth |
| Connections (extended): | HDMI Out, DC Input, 10-pin Expansion Terminal, External Stereo Mic | USB 3.1 Gen1 Type C, HDMI 2.0b Type A; 3.5mm mic/remote and headphone/remote jacks; Multifunctional interface in baseplate for optional handgrip |
| 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 | 25.0 |
| Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): | 90 | Unlimited |
| RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): | 9.1 | |
| Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): | 41 | |
| 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 BP-SCL4 |
| Usable Battery Types: | Lithium Ion rechargeable | Lithium-ion rechargeable |
| Batteries Included: | 1 x Proprietary EN-EL4a Lithium Ion rechargeable | 1 x Proprietary BP-SCL4 Lithium-ion rechargeable |
| Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): | Yes | Yes |
| Dedicated Battery Charger Included: | Yes | Yes |
| Internal Charging Supported: | No | Yes |
| Software | ||
| Included Software: | PictureProject | Leica PHOTOS |
| OS Compatibility: | Windows, Mac OS | |
| Miscellaneous | ||
| Notes & Features: | ||
