• 35mm 860.4mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 14.8 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D3S
  • Sigma SD1 Merrill
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 SD1 Merrill
Alternate Model Number(s):   SD1
Camera Format: Pro SLR Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $5199.95 $2299.00
Street Price:   $8,492.13
Date Available: 2009-11-30 2011-06-01
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 49.7 oz (1,410 g)
includes batteries
28.1 oz (796 g)
includes batteries
Size: 6.3 x 6.2 x 3.4 in.
(160 x 157 x 88 mm)
5.7 x 4.5 x 3.1 in.
(146 x 114 x 80 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Foveon X3
Effective Megapixels: 12.1 14.8
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 5.00 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.0x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG Full Color
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Not needed
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)
4704 x 3136 (14.8 MP, 3:2),
3264 x 2176 (7.1 MP, 3:2),
2336 x 1568 (3.7 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; compr JPEG, RAW (.X3F), RAW + JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 9.0 4.1
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes No
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (24)
640x424 (24)
320x216 (24)
Movie File Format: Motion JPEG  
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: Yes No
HD Video Out: Yes No
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Nikon F Sigma SA bayonet
Lens: n/a Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):   26 - 75mm
Focal Length (actual):   17 - 50mm
Zoom Ratio:   2.90x
Aperture Range:   f/2.8 - f/22 (W/T)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   28 cm to Infinity
11.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a 77.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
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-detection with 11-point Twin Cross AF Sensor; Single AF, Continuous AF (with AF motion prediction function), Manual
Auto Focus Assist Light? No Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD Optical / LCD (playback only)
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, interchangeable screen, 100%, 0.7x, 18mm eyepoint, -3.0 to +1.0 SLR type; Pentaprism, 98% coverage, 0.95x magnification, 18mm eyepoint, -3 to +1.5 diopter
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.70x 0.63x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.70x 0.95x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 920,000 dots 460,000 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 No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 12800 6400
Minimum ISO (native): 200 100
ISO Settings: Auto, 200 - 12,800, plus down to 100 in Lo-1, up to 102,400 in Hi-3 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, twelve manual modes can be preset with fine-tuning; color temperature setting, custom Auto, Daylight, Shade, Overcast, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash and Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/8000 - 30 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 77-segment Evaluative, Center-Weighted Average, Center Area, Spot Metering; EV 1 to 20 (50mm F1.4 : ISO100)
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 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: No Yes
Flash Modes: n/a S-TTL (17mm lens angle covered)
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a 11.0 m / 36.1 ft.
Flash Range Description: n/a Lens aperture dependent.
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, PC Sync socket
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 CF1
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: Yes No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; compr RAW (.X3F), RAW + JPEG
Movie File Format: Motion JPEG  
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
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 USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes No
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional wired Optional RS-31 IR Wireless, CR-21 Wired
Connections (extended): HDMI Out, DC Input, 10-pin Expansion Terminal, External Stereo Mic Wired Remote, DC Input jacks
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.34 0.78
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.34 0.78
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 58 7
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 0.34  
Camera penalizes early shutter press? Yes Yes
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 9.0 4.1
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 90 7
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 0.38 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 0.244 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):   0.52 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.043 seconds 0.088 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 Autofocus Lag: Auto Area AF = 0.466s
Startup Time: 0.3 seconds 4.5 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds 0.5 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-21
Usable Battery Types: Lithium Ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL4a Lithium Ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary BP-21 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: PictureProject Sigma Photo Pro 5.0
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: 46-megapixel 23.5 x 15.7mm APS-C full-color sensor, weather-resistant magnesium alloy body, dual "TRUE II" image processing engines, 11-point Twin Cross AF sensor, CompactFlash Type 1 with UDMA support.