- 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: | DSLR-A500 | D3S |
| Alternate Model Number(s): | ||
| Camera Format: | SLR | Pro SLR |
| Currently Manufactured: | No | No |
| Retail Price: | $849.99 | $5199.95 |
| Street Price: | ||
| Date Available: | 2009-10-08 | 2009-11-30 |
| Tripod Mount: | Yes | Yes |
| Weight: |
31.7 oz
(900 g)
includes batteries, kit lens |
49.7 oz
(1,410 g)
includes batteries |
| Size: |
5.4 x
4.1 x
3.3 in. (137 x 104 x 84 mm) |
6.3 x
6.2 x
3.4 in. (160 x 157 x 88 mm) |
| Waterproof: | No | No |
| Waterproof Depth: | n/a | n/a |
| Image Sensor | ||
| Sensor Type: | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor Manufacturer: | Sony | |
| Effective Megapixels: | 12.3 | 12.1 |
| Sensor Format: | APS-C | 35mm |
| Sensor size: | 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) | 860.4mm2 (36.00mm x 23.90mm) |
| Approximate Pixel Pitch: | 5.55 microns | 8.46 microns |
| Focal Length Multiplier: | 1.5x | 1.0x |
| Aspect Ratio: | 3:2, 16:9 | 3:2 |
| Color Filter Type: | RGBG | RGBG |
| Anti Aliasing Filter: | Fixed | Fixed |
| Self-Cleaning: | Yes | Yes |
| Sensor shift image stabilization: | Yes | No |
| On-Sensor Phase Detect: | No | No |
| DxO Sensor Score: | 64 | 82 |
| DxO Color Depth Score (bits): | 21.8 | 23.5 |
| DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): | 11.6 | 12.0 |
| DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): | 772 | 3,253 |
| Image Capture | ||
| Image Resolution: |
4272 x 2848
(12.2 MP,
3:2), 4272 x 2400 (10.3 MP, 16:9), 3104 x 2072 (6.4 MP, 3:2), 3104 x 1744 (5.4 MP, 16:9), 2128 x 1416 (3.0 MP, 3:2), 2188 x 1192 (2.6 MP, Other) |
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) |
| Image File Format: | JPEG, RAW | JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; compr |
| Continuous-mode frames/second: | 4.9 | 9.0 |
| Video Capture | ||
| Can take movies: | No | Yes |
| Movie Resolution: |
1280x720 (24)
640x424 (24) 320x216 (24) |
|
| Movie File Format: | Motion JPEG | |
| Composite Video Out: | No | Yes |
| NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: | n/a | Yes |
| Video Usable as Viewfinder: | n/a | Yes |
| HD Video Out: | Yes | Yes |
| HD Video Connection: | HDMI | HDMI |
| Lens & Optics | ||
| Lens Mount: | Sony Alpha (Minolta A) | Nikon F |
| Lens: | Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM | n/a |
| Focal Length (35mm equivalent): | 27 - 83mm | |
| Focal Length (actual): | 18 - 55mm | |
| Zoom Ratio: | 3.00x | |
| Aperture Range: | f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (T) | |
| Integrated ND Filter: | No | No |
| Normal Focus Range: | ||
| Macro Focus Range: | ||
| Filter Thread: | 55.0mm | 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: | 9-point TTL phase detection (one cross-type sensor) with eye-start AF; Wide, Spot, Local modes | 51-point TTL phase detection via Nikon Multi-CAM 3500FX with 15 cross-type and 36 line-type sensors |
| Auto Focus Assist Light? | Yes | No |
| Manual Focus: | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | ||
| Viewfinder: | Optical / LCD | Optical / LCD |
| Viewfinder Type: | SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.80x mag., 19mm eyepoint, -2.5 to +1.0 diopter | SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, interchangeable screen, 100%, 0.7x, 18mm eyepoint, -3.0 to +1.0 |
| Focus Peaking: | No | No |
| EVF Resolution: | n/a | n/a |
| Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): | 0.53x | 0.70x |
| Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): | 0.80x | 0.70x |
| Display | ||
| Eye-level Viewfinder: | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Display: | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Display Size (inches): | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Rear Display Resolution: | 230,400 dots | 920,000 dots |
| Touchscreen: | No | No |
| Articulating Screen: | Yes | No |
| Tilt Swivel Screen: | No | |
| Selfie Screen: | No | |
| Max Playback Zoom: | 13.4x | 27.0x |
| Top Deck Display: | No | Yes |
| Exposure | ||
| Maximum ISO (native): | 12800 | 12800 |
| Minimum ISO (native): | 200 | 200 |
| ISO Settings: | Auto (200-1600), 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800 | Auto, 200 - 12,800, plus down to 100 in Lo-1, up to 102,400 in Hi-3 |
| Auto ISO Mode: | Yes | Yes |
| White Balance Settings: | Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom | Auto, twelve manual modes can be preset with fine-tuning; color temperature setting, custom |
| Shutter Speed Range: | 1/4000 - 30 sec | 1/8000 - 30 sec |
| Bulb Mode: | Yes | Yes |
| Exposure Compensation: | +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps | +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps |
| Metering Modes: | 40-segment Multi Segment, Center-weighted, Spot; (1200 zone evaluative metering in Live View) | 1005-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II, Center-weighted, Spot (1.5%) centered on selected focus area |
| Program Auto Exposure: | Yes | Yes |
| Aperture Priority: | Yes | Yes |
| Shutter Priority: | Yes | Yes |
| Full Manual Exposure: | Yes | Yes |
| Creative Exposure Modes: | Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset, Night Portrait/Night View | None |
| Self Timer: | 2 or 10 seconds | 2/5/10/20 seconds |
| Time Lapse (intervalometer): | ||
| High Resolution Composite: | No | No |
| Flash | ||
| Built-in Flash: | Yes | No |
| Flash Modes: | Auto, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off | n/a |
| Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): | 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. | n/a |
| Flash Range Description: | Lens dependent | n/a |
| Max Flash Sync: | 1/160 | 1/250 |
| Flash Exposure Compensation: | +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps | |
| External Flash Connection: | Hot shoe | ISO-type hot-shoe contact; safety lock provided; PC Sync terminal |
| Built-In Wireless Flash Control: | Full TTL exposure | |
| Image Storage | ||
| Usable Memory Types: | MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC | CF1 |
| UHS Support: | ||
| Other Memory: | ||
| Dual Card Slots: | No | Yes |
| RAW Capture Support: | Yes | Yes |
| Uncompressed Format: | RAW | RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; compr |
| Movie File Format: | Motion JPEG | |
| Included Memory: | No memory included | |
| Included Memory Type: | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Built-In Wi-Fi: | No | No |
| NFC: | ||
| 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 | Yes |
| DPOF Compliant: | Yes | Yes |
| Remote Control: | Yes | Yes |
| Remote Control Type: | Optional Wireless or Wired | Optional wired |
| Connections (extended): | DC input, mini-HDMI, Wired Remote | HDMI Out, DC Input, 10-pin Expansion Terminal, External Stereo Mic |
| Performance Timing | ||
| Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): | 0.48 | 0.34 |
| Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): | 0.47 | 0.34 |
| Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): | 9 | 58 |
| Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): | 0.34 | |
| Camera penalizes early shutter press? | No | Yes |
| JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): | 4.9 | 9.0 |
| Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): | 5 | 90 |
| 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): | 0.18 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): | 0.182 seconds | 0.043 seconds |
| Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): | 0.21 seconds | |
| Shutter Lag (prefocused): | 0.074 seconds | 0.043 seconds |
| Shutter Lag (notes): | Quick AF Live View: Center AF: 0.180s Wide-area AF: 0.181s | 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: | 0.5 seconds | 0.3 seconds |
| Play -> Record Time: | 0.3 seconds | 0.3 seconds |
| Flash cycle time, full power: | 3.4 seconds | |
| Power | ||
| Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): | ||
| Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): | 1000 shots | 4200 shots |
| Battery Life, Video: | ||
| Battery Form Factor: | Proprietary NP-FM500H | Proprietary EN-EL4a |
| Usable Battery Types: | Lithium-ion rechargeable | Lithium Ion rechargeable |
| Batteries Included: | 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H | 1 x Proprietary EN-EL4a 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: | Software/USB Driver CD-ROM | PictureProject |
| OS Compatibility: | Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Mac OS X (v. 10.13+) | Windows, Mac OS |
| Miscellaneous | ||
| Notes & Features: | Exmore CMOS Sensor, Variable-angle LCD, SteadyShot In-body Sensor-shift Image Stabilization, Live View, Auto HDR, D-Range Optimizer (Auto, Level 1-5), HDMI Output. | |
