• 35mm 860.4mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 28.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D3S
  • Samsung NX500
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Nikon D2Hs
D2Hs vs D3S
Samsung NX300
NX300 vs NX500
Successor: Nikon D4
D3S vs D4
 
General
Model Number: D3S NX500
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $5199.95 $799.99
Street Price:   $1,599.99
Date Available: 2009-11-30 2015-03-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 49.7 oz (1,410 g)
includes batteries
16.0 oz (454 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 6.3 x 6.2 x 3.4 in.
(160 x 157 x 88 mm)
4.7 x 2.5 x 1.7 in.
(120 x 64 x 43 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Samsung
Effective Megapixels: 12.1 28.2
Sensor Format: 35mm APS-C
Sensor size: 860.4mm2 (36.00mm x 23.90mm) 368.95mm2 (23.50mm x 15.70mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 8.46 microns 3.63 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 Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No Yes
DxO Sensor Score: 82 87
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 23.5 24.8
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.0 13.9
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 3,253 1,379
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)
6480 x 4320 (28.0 MP, 3:2),
4560 x 3040 (13.9 MP, 3:2),
3264 x 2176 (7.1 MP, 3:2),
2112 x 1408 (3.0 MP, 3:2),
6480 x 3648 (23.6 MP, 16:9),
4608 x 2592 (11.9 MP, 16:9),
3328 x 1872 (6.2 MP, 16:9),
2048 x 1152 (2.4 MP, 16:9),
4320 x 4320 (18.7 MP, 1:1),
3088 x 3088 (9.5 MP, 1:1),
2160 x 2160 (4.7 MP, 1:1),
1408 x 1408 (2.0 MP, 1:1)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; compr JPEG, MPO, RAW (SRW), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 9.0 8.8
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (24)
640x424 (24)
320x216 (24)
4096x2160 (24p)
3840x2160 (30p)
1920x1080 (60p/​30p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​30p)
640x480 (60p/​30p)
1920x1080 (120p)
1280x720 (120p)
640x480 (120p)
Movie File Format: Motion JPEG MP4 (Video: HEVC (H.265) / Sound: AAC)
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 Samsung NX
Lens: n/a Samsung 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 Power Zoom ED OIS NX
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):   24 - 75mm
Focal Length (actual):   16 - 50mm
Zoom Ratio:   3.13x
Aperture Range:   f/3.5 (wide) / f/5.6 (tele) - f/22
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   24 cm to Infinity
9.4 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a 43.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: No Yes
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 Hybrid contrast/phase-detect AF: 205-point PDAF (153 cross-point type) + 209-point CDAF
Auto Focus Assist Light? No Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD No / OLED
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, interchangeable screen, 100%, 0.7x, 18mm eyepoint, -3.0 to +1.0  
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.70x  
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.70x  
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 920,000 dots 1,036,800 dots (345,600 px)
Touchscreen: No Yes
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No Yes
Max Playback Zoom: 27.0x  
Top Deck Display: Yes No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 12800 25600
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 - 25600 in 1 or 1/3 EV steps, expandable to 51200
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, Fluorescent (W, N, D), Tungsten, Auto+Tungsten, Flash, Custom, K (Manual); Micro Adjustment each 7 steps in Amber/Blue and Green/Magenta axes
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/6000 - 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 Multi (221 segments), 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 Beauty Face, Landscape, Action Freeze, Rich Tones, Panorama, Waterfall, Silhouette, Sunset, Night, Fireworks, Light Trace, Multi-Exposure; Smart Range+, HDR, Samsung Auto Shot (SAS)
Self Timer: 2/5/10/20 seconds 2-30 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):   Yes
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: No No
Flash Modes: n/a Smart Flash, Auto, Auto+Red-eye reduction, Fill-in, Fill-in+Red-eye reduction, 1st Curtain, 2nd Curtain, Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a 8.0 m / 26.2 ft.
Flash Range Description: n/a Bundled SEF8A flash has GN 8m at ISO 100
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 1/200
Flash Exposure Compensation:   +/- 2.0 EV in 0.5EV steps
External Flash Connection: ISO-type hot-shoe contact; safety lock provided; PC Sync terminal Hot shoe
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 (SRW), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: Motion JPEG MP4 (Video: HEVC (H.265) / Sound: AAC)
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: Yes
Bluetooth: No Yes
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed,Bluetooth,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes No
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional wired Via Wi-Fi live view or Bluetooth; optional wired USB cable release
Connections (extended): HDMI Out, DC Input, 10-pin Expansion Terminal, External Stereo Mic Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b/g/n) with NFC; Bluetooth; Mult-function USB port compatible with wired remote
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.34 0.83
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 0.81
Camera penalizes early shutter press? Yes No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 9.0 8.8
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 90 38
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 9.1 8.5
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 41 6
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 9.1 8.6
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 36 6
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.20 seconds 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 0.097 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):   0.36 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.043 seconds 0.076 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 1.5 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds 0.8 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:   3.1 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   370 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 4200 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL4a Proprietary BP-1130
Usable Battery Types: Lithium Ion rechargeable 1130mAh Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL4a Lithium Ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary BP-1130 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes No
Internal Charging Supported: No Yes
Software
Included Software: PictureProject Samsung Raw Converter, i-Launcher (web version), Power Media Player, Samsung Movie Converter and Samsung DNG Converter
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Available in black, brown and white.