• 35mm 860.4mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D3S
  • Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Nikon D2Hs
D2Hs vs D3S
Panasonic GH3
GH3 vs GH4
Successor: Nikon D4
D3S vs D4
Panasonic GH5
GH4 vs GH5
General
Model Number: D3S GH4
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $5199.95 $1500.00
Street Price:   $898.50
Date Available: 2009-11-30 2014-04-30
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 49.7 oz (1,410 g)
includes batteries
20.1 oz (569 g)
includes batteries
Size: 6.3 x 6.2 x 3.4 in.
(160 x 157 x 88 mm)
5.2 x 3.7 x 3.3 in.
(133 x 93 x 84 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS Live MOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Panasonic
Effective Megapixels: 12.1 16.1
Sensor Format: 35mm 4/3
Sensor size: 860.4mm2 (36.00mm x 23.90mm) 224.9mm2 (17.30mm x 13.00mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 8.46 microns 3.75 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.0x 2.0x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 4:3
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 74
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 23.5 23.2
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.0 12.8
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 3,253 791
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)
4608 x 3456 (15.9 MP, 4:3),
4608 x 3072 (14.2 MP, 3:2),
4608 x 2592 (11.9 MP, 16:9),
3456 x 3456 (11.9 MP, 1:1),
3264 x 2448 (8.0 MP, 4:3),
3264 x 2176 (7.1 MP, 3:2),
3264 x 1840 (6.0 MP, Other),
2448 x 2448 (6.0 MP, 1:1),
2336 x 1720 (4.0 MP, Other),
2336 x 1560 (3.6 MP, 3:2),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
1744 x 1744 (3.0 MP, 1:1),
1824 x 1368 (2.5 MP, 4:3),
1824 x 1216 (2.2 MP, 3:2),
1824 x 1024 (1.9 MP, 16:9),
1712 x 1712 (2.9 MP, 1:1)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; compr JPEG (EXIF 2.3), MPO, RAW, RAW + JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 9.0 12.8
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (24)
640x424 (24)
320x216 (24)
4096x2160 (24p)
3840x2160 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1920x1080 (60p/​60i/​30p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​30p)
640x480 (30p)
1920x1080 (96p)
Movie File Format: Motion JPEG MOV (Audio format LPCM), MP4 (Audio format LPCM / AAC 2ch), AVCHD (Audio format: Dolby Digital 2ch)
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes No
Video Usable as Viewfinder: Yes Yes
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Nikon F Micro Four Thirds
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 Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a 2x, 4x; Magnification ratio depends on recording pixels and aspect ratio
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 Detection: Face/Eye detection, AF Tracking, 49-area-focusing, Custom Multi, 1-area-focusing, Pinpoint (Full area touch is available)
Auto Focus Assist Light? No Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD EVF / OLED
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, interchangeable screen, 100%, 0.7x, 18mm eyepoint, -3.0 to +1.0 EVF: 2,359K-dot OLED, 100% coverage, 1.34x / 0.67x (35mm eq.) magnification, 21mm eyepoint, -4 to +4 diopter, adjustable eye sensor
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a 2,359,000 dots
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.70x 0.67x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.70x 1.34x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 920,000 dots 1,036,800 dots
Touchscreen: No Yes
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No Yes
Selfie Screen: No Yes
Max Playback Zoom: 27.0x 16.0x
Top Deck Display: Yes No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 12800 25600
Minimum ISO (native): 200 200
ISO Settings: Auto, 200 - 12,800, plus down to 100 in Lo-1, up to 102,400 in Hi-3 Auto, Intelligent ISO, 200-25600; in 1/3 or 1 EV steps; expandable to ISO 100
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, twelve manual modes can be preset with fine-tuning; color temperature setting, custom Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent, Flash, White Set 1/2/3/4, Color Temperature Setting (2,500-10,000K in 100K steps)
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/8000 - 60 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 1728-zone Multiple, 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 No scene modes. Creative Control (Stills): Expressive, Retro, Old Days, High Key, Low Key, Sepia, Monochrome, Dynamic Monochrome, Rough Monochrome, Silky Monochrome, Impressive Art, High Dynamic, Cross Process, Toy Effect, Toy Pop, Bleach Bypass, Miniature Effect, Soft Focus, Fantasy, Star Filter, One Point Color, Sunshine; Creative Control (Movies): Expressive, Retro, Old Days, High Key, Low Key, Sepia, Monochrome, Dynamic Monochrome, Impressive Art, High Dynamic, Cross Process, Toy Effect, Toy Pop, Bleach Bypass, Miniature Effect, Fantasy, One Point Color
Self Timer: 2/5/10/20 seconds 2, 10, 3 shots after 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: No Yes
Flash Modes: n/a Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction (when iA, iA+), Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Off; Built-in flash supports wireless mode (4 channels, 3 groups)
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a 12.0 m / 39.4 ft.
Flash Range Description: n/a Lens dependent; GN = 17m (ISO 200)
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 Hot Shoe, PC Sync Socket
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: Yes No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; compr RAW, RAW + JPEG
Movie File Format: Motion JPEG MOV (Audio format LPCM), MP4 (Audio format LPCM / AAC 2ch), AVCHD (Audio format: Dolby Digital 2ch)
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: Yes
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No Yes
Headphone Jack: No Yes
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional wired Optional wired DMW-RSL1
Connections (extended): HDMI Out, DC Input, 10-pin Expansion Terminal, External Stereo Mic Micro HDMI (Type-D), 2.5mm Remote Jack, 3.5mm Mic Jack, 3.5mm Headphone Jack, DMW-YAGH IU Connections
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.34 0.35
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.34 0.40
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 0.35
Camera penalizes early shutter press? Yes No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 9.0 12.8
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 90 Unlimited
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 9.1 11.8
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 41 21
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 9.1 11.9
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 36 21
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.20 seconds 0.19 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 0.057 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):   0.35 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.043 seconds 0.050 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, wide-area AF mode = 0.186s
Startup Time: 0.3 seconds 0.8 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds 0.7 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:   4.2 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   530 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 4200 shots 500 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL4a Proprietary
Usable Battery Types: Lithium Ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL4a Lithium Ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary 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 PHOTOfunSTUDIO 9.5 PE (Windows XP / Vista / 7 / 8); SILKYPIX Developer Studio 4.1 SE (Windows XP / Vista / 7 / 8, Mac OS X v10.5-10.8); LoiLoScope (trial version) (Windows XP / Vista / 7 / 8)
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS Windows, Mac OS X
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Up to 4Kp30 Ultra HD video, higher-res EVF and OLED monitor, 12fps full-res burst mode, 1/8000s top shutter speed, 1/250 x-sync, 200K shutter, optional DMW-YAGH Interface Unit.