Joseph
The capability to edit RAW data within the camera and save them as usable JPEGs is an intriguing new function that Nikon is introducing with the D3S. This is a first for the company.
The image can change its white balance, noise reduction, exposure compensation, saturation, and contrast through the available editing options.
Even though you won’t be able to perform anything nearly as advanced as batch processing, the camera will save your settings so that you can modify your photos later. People out on assignments and trying to provide pictures to the picture desk as quickly as possible would appreciate this function.
Nikon D3S 12.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD and...
- 12.1-megapixel, FX-format CMOS sensor; 720p HD video capture
- Body only; lenses sold separately
- Low-noise ISO sensitivity from 200 to 12,800; continuous shooting up to 9fps
- Fast, accurate 51-point AF system; Nikon EXPEED image processing
- 12.1-megapixel, FX-format CMOS sensor; 720p HD video capture
- Body only; lenses sold separately
- Low-noise ISO sensitivity from 200 to 12,800; continuous shooting up to 9fps
- Fast, accurate 51-point AF system; Nikon EXPEED image processing
- 3-inch super-density 921,000-dot VGA LCD; one-button Live View with two shooting modes
- Dual CF card slots with overflow, backup and copy options (CF card not included); up to 4,300 images per battery charge
Now we will discuss the issue of having excessive expectations. Even though it was common knowledge that Nikon was working on an HD video mode for the most recent installment in its D3 series, some individuals hoped that the feature would be 1080p. It is not that.
This is something that Canon has been able to implement for its line of cameras, but Nikon has decided that the 720p resolution provided by the 3DS’s D-Movie mode is sufficient for their needs.
James Banfield, Group support and Training Manager for Nikon, made an interesting point when he was questioned why this was the case. He explained that this was all down to the size of the file.
He pointed out that to obtain five-minute bursts out of the allotted two gigabytes of space for continuous recording when shooting at 720p and using the camera’s compression. If the camera could shoot in Full HD, this would be a much more reasonable price.
In addition, he emphasized that the D3S is a stills camera intended to be the absolute best at ISO and that the video feature is merely an additional functionality.
Because 720p appears to be the default option for broadcasters like Sky and the BBC, we do not believe that users of the DS3 will have a lot of trouble if they try to use their movie footage in a broadcast setting. However, this implies that another video update for the D3 range may not be far off in the future, which you will need to consider before spending several thousand pounds on a camera.
After only a few periods with the D3S, it is clear that Nikon has another successful product to sell to professional photographers. Even though the economy is struggling, times suit the camera business. The company presently enjoys a leading position in the market for cameras that cost more than £2,500, and its D3 line holds a share of 63% of that market.
The Nikon D3S camera will be released in the UK in December with a price tag of £4,199.99 upon its initial sale.
Design
The observations and criticisms we made in our in-depth reviews of the D3 and D3X also apply to the brand-new D3S. The body shells of all three cameras are mainly identical, and they were created with longevity in mind from the ground up.
However, compared to a D300S or D700, the D3S has a significant weight partly because of the integrated vertical grip. In addition, the body shell is made of a robust magnesium alloy, which helps keep the weight down as much as possible.
This lower area of the chassis also houses the robust EN-EL4a battery, which is compatible with all of the professional Nikon DSLRs in the D2 and D3 series and may be swapped between the sequence as needed. In addition, the door to the detachable battery compartment is compatible with the D3 and D3X but not with the previous D2 series cameras because their doors have slightly different designs.
Performance
Although its headline characteristics might be equal to those of its predecessor, the Nikon D3S was designed with speed in mind, and compared to the D3, its buffer has been increased by a factor of two. The protector of the D3S is equivalent to that of a D3 with the optional buffer memory expansion installed, and it can capture more than 40 raw frames in a single burst at full speed.
The D3S has a maximum frame rate of 9 fps when set to FX mode, but this jumps to 11 fps when set to DX mode. However, when the camera is set to DX mode, it records at a lower quality (5.1 MP). This is because the size of the buffer used for JPEG capture is reduced when some functionalities, such as Active D-Lighting, are used; nonetheless, the D3S is a rapid camera regardless of the settings used.
In terms of its responsiveness and operational speed, it is a world away from Nikon’s entry-level and midrange DSLRs, as we would expect. However, it is essential to note that purchasing a UDMA-enabled CompactFlash card is an investment worth making if you are a sports photographer and want to get the best possible performance from your camera.
Autofocus
Usually, we wouldn’t devote two pages to evaluating the autofocus performance of a DSLR. This is partly because autofocus, specifically autofocus tracking, may be challenging to assess consistently and clearly.
Naturally, after analyzing the hundreds, if not thousands, of frames we might shoot during a typical DSLR test, we are confident that we are in an excellent position to comment on any apparent strengths or failings. This gives us the confidence that we are in a perfect place to comment on any evident strengths or failings.
However, when it comes to addressing the autofocus (AF) systems of a camera as complicated as the Nikon D3S, we are aware that we do not have the same level of authority as, for example. Nevertheless, this professional sports photographer has years of expertise.
Keeping this obvious disclaimer in mind, we try our best to test certain DSLRs in the situations they were built, if possible. However, the Nikon D3S was designed to be used for a variety of purposes, and the quickness of its autofocus system and its adaptability are its primary selling factors.
As a result, as we were taking photos for this review, we made it a point to do our autofocus (AF) performance tests under a wide variety of lighting scenarios to ensure our results were as accurate as possible.
We shot the same subjects with Canon’s new flagship sports camera, the EOS 1D Mark IV, under the same lighting conditions and with lenses that were as close to equivalent as we could get them to be. You’ll see the results of these tests in our upcoming comprehensive review of the Canon EOS 1D Mark IV.
Video
Even after it was revealed that the D3 would be released, there was already demand among certain professional photographers for an improved model that could record moving and static shots. Finally, after over two years, Nikon has introduced a professional DSLR with a built-in D-Movie mode; the D3S is the company’s first DSLR to do so.
The resolution of movie footage captured by the D3S is the same as that of Nikon’s first video-enabled DSLR, the D90, which was released in 2008. However, significant improvements have been made since then, including support for a plugin stereo microphone and the provision for contrast-detection AF while filming.
Quality of the Image
It isn’t easy to imagine how a camera with 12 million pixels, such as the Nikon D3S, could offer higher image quality when set to its optimal output settings. The best images come from thoroughly processed, uncompressed 14-bit NEF files. JPEG output from Nikon’s CMOS-equipped DSLRs is generally relatively soft, and at a pixel level (100% on screen), JPEG photographs from the D3S lack a specific ‘bite.’ This is true across the entire line of Nikon’s CMOS-equipped DSLRs.
This can be readily remedied (to some extent) by turning the in-camera sharpening up a notch or two; however, we do not recommend turning it up anymore. In JPEG mode, quite good results can be obtained using the default sharpening in conjunction with clever post-capture use of Unsharp Mask. Again, however, we find that slightly under-sharpening an image is preferable to excessive sharpness, which, once done, cannot be “corrected.”
It should come as no surprise that one of the primary selling points of the Nikon D3S is its performance at high ISO settings, where it is currently incomparable to the capabilities of any other current DSLR. Even though it has a smaller sensor size and a greater pixel count, the Canon EOS 1D Mark IV performs exceptionally well in low light; nonetheless, the Nikon D3S provides an unquestionable advantage of at least one stop when used with ISO settings that are higher than ISO 6400.
Above ISO 12,800, JPEGs become a bit mushy and increasingly lifeless. Still, carefully processing the raw files produced by the D3S can have good images (although somewhat grainy) up to ISO 102,400.
The D3S can give photographs that are useable at this elevated altitude, even though the light levels are so low that, in the past, the only alternative for capturing still images would have been infrared. Also, it’s hard not to be amazed by something like that.
To would-be filmmakers or photojournalists who don’t want to lug around a separate video camera, the capability to record video at settings up to an ISO maximum of 102,400 is incredibly appealing.
Specifications
| Body material | Magnesium alloy |
|---|---|
| Sensor | • 36 x 23.9 mm CMOS sensor • FX format • RGB Color Filter Array • Built-in fixed low-pass filter • 12.87 million total pixels • 12.1 million effective pixels • 3:2 aspect ratio |
| Image processor | Nikon EXPEED |
| A/D conversion | 14 bit |
| Image sizes (FX format) | • 4256 x 2832 [L; 12.1 MP] • 3184 x 2120 [M; 6.8 MP] • 2128 x 1416 [S; 3.0 MP] |
| Image sizes (DX format) | • 2784 x 1848 [L; 5.1 MP] • 2080 x 1384 [M; 2.9 MP] • 1392 x 920 [S; 1.3 MP]] |
| Image sizes (5:4 format) | • 3552 x 2832 [L; 10.0 MP] • 2656 x 2120 [M; 5.6 MP] • 1776 x 1416 [S; 2.5 MP] |
| Image sizes (1.2x format) | • 3552 x 2362 [L; 8.4 MP] • 2656 x 1776 [M; 4.7 MP] • 1776 x 1184 [S; 2.1 MP] |
| File formats | • NEF (12-bit or 14-bit, compressed or lossless compressed RAW) • NEF + JPEG • TIFF • JPEG (EXIF 2.21) • AVI (motion JPEG) |
| NEF compression | • Compressed 12/14-bit NEF (RAW, Lossless compressed): approx. 60-80% • Compressed 12/14-bit NEF (RAW, Compressed): approx. 45-60% |
| Lens mount | • Nikon F mount with AF coupling and AF contacts • No field of view crop (full-frame) • When using DX lenses / DX mode, 1.5x FOV crop |
| Usable lenses | • Type G or D AF NIKKOR: All functions supported • DX AF NIKKOR: All functions supported except FX-format (36×24)/5:4 (30×24) image size • AF NIKKOR other than type G or D: All functions supported except 3D Color Matrix Metering II • AI-P NIKKOR: All functions supported except autofocus and 3D Color Matrix Metering II • Non-CPU AI NIKKOR: Can be used in exposure modes A and M; electronic rangefinder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster; Color Matrix Metering and aperture value display supported if the user provides lens data * IX NIKKOR lenses cannot be used * Excluding lenses for F3AF |
| Auto Focus | • 51 focus points (15 cross-type sensors) • Multi-CAM 3500FX • AF working range: -1 to +19 EV (ISO 100, normal temperature) • Contrast Detect in Live View (Tripod) mode |
| Lens Servo | • Single Servo AF [S] • Continuous Servo AF [C] • Manual focus [M] • Focus Tracking is automatically activated by the subject’s status in [S] or [C] AF |
| Focus Point | • Single point from 51 or 11 focus points • Live View (Tripod mode): Contrast AF on a desired point anywhere within the frame |
| AF Area Mode | • Single-point AF • Dynamic Area AF [9 points, 21 points, 51 points, 51 points (3D-tracking)] • Automatic-area AF |
| Focus Lock | Focus can be locked by pressing the shutter-release button halfway (single-servo AF) or by pressing the AE-L/AF-L button |
| AF assist | External Speedlite only |
| Exposure modes | • Program Auto [P] with flexible program • Shutter-Priority Auto [S] • Aperture-Priority Auto [A] • Manual [M] |
| Metering | TTL full-aperture exposure metering using a 1005-pixel RGB sensor • 3D Color Matrix Metering II (type G and D lenses); color matrix metering II (other CPU lenses); color matrix metering (non-CPU lenses if the user provides lens data; metering performed) • Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 8, 15, or 20 mm dia. circle in the center of frame or weighting based on the average of the entire structure (default 12 mm) • Spot: Meters approx. 4 mm dia. circle (about 1.5% of frame) centered on selected focus point (on center focus point when the non-CPU lens is used) |
| Metering range | • 3D Color Matrix Metering: 0 to 20 EV • Center-Weighted Metering: 0 to 20 EV • Spot Metering: 2 to 20 EV • At normal temperature (20°C/68°F), ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens |
| Meter coupling | CPU and AI |
| Exposure lock | Locked using the AE-L/AF-L button |
| Exposure bracketing | • 2 to 9 frames • 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1 EV steps |
| Exposure compen. | • +/-5.0 EV • 1/3, 1/2, or 1 EV step |
| Sensitivity | • Default: ISO 200 – 12,800 in 1/3, 1/2 or 1.0 EV steps • Boost: 100 – 102,400 in 1/3, 1/2 or 1.0 EV steps, HI3 = ISO 102,400 |
| Shutter | • Electronically-controlled vertical-travel focal plane shutter • 30 to 1/8000 sec (1/3, 1/2 or 1.0 EV steps) • Flash X-Sync: 1/250 sec • Bulb |
| DOF Preview | • Stop-down lens aperture by pressing the button • Activates video recording in Live View mode |
| White balance | • Auto (1005-pixel CCD, image sensor) • Presets (seven) with fine-tuning • Manual presets (four) • Color temperature in Kelvin (2500 – 10000 K, 31 steps) • White balance bracketing (2 to 9 frames, 10,20,30 MIRED steps) |
| Picture Control | • Standard • Neutral • Vivid • Monochrome |
| Image parameters | • Sharpening: Auto, seven levels • Contrast: Auto, five levels, Custom tone curve • Brightness: 3 levels • Saturation: Auto, five levels • Hue: 5 levels |
| Color space | • sRGB (Standard and Vivid modes) • Adobe RGB (Neutral mode) |
| Viewfinder | • Optical-type fixed eye-level pentaprism • Built-in diopter adjustment (-3 to +1m-1) • Eyepoint: 18 mm (at -1.0m-1) • Focusing screen: Type B BriteView Clear Matte VI screen • Frame coverage 100% • Viewfinder magnification approx 0.7x with 50 mm f/1.4 lens |
| Focusing screen | • B-type BrightView Clear Matte Screen II • Superimposed focus brackets • On-demand grid lines |
| LCD monitor | • 3.0 ” TFT LCD • 922,000 pixels (VGA; 640 x 480 x 3 colors) • 170° viewing angle • Brightness adjustment |
| LCD Live view | • Handheld mode: TLL phase-difference AF with 51 focus areas (15 cross-type sensors) • Tripod mode: focal-plane contrast AF on a desired point within a specific area |
| D-Movie Video Mode | • AVI (Motion-JPEG) • 1280 × 720 @ 24 fps • 640 × 424 @ 24 fps • 320 ×216/24 fps |
| Shooting modes | • Single frame • Continuous Low [CL]: 1 – 9 fps • Continuous High [CH]: 9 fps (9 – 11 fps with DX format) • Quiet mode [Q] • Self-Timer (programmable) • Mirror-up mode |
| Continuous buffer | • JPEG Large/Normal: 130 shots (at nine fps) • RAW: 40 shots (12-bit, uncompressed), ~36 shots (14-bit, uncompressed) |
| Self-timer | • 2 to 20-sec custom |
| Flash control | •TTL flash control with 1,005-pixel RGB sensor; i-TTL balanced fill-flash and standard i-TTL fill-flash available with SB-800, 600 or 400 • AA (Auto Aperture-type) flash: Available with SB-800 used with CPU lens • Non-TTL Auto: Available with Speedlights such as SB-800, 28, 27, and 22S • Range-priority manual flash; available with SB-800 |
| Flash Sync Mode | • Front-curtain Sync (normal) • Red-Eye Reduction • Red-Eye Reduction with Slow Sync • Slow Sync • Rear-curtain Sync |
| Flash Accessory Shoe | ISO 518 standard-type hot shoe contact; Safety lock mechanism provided |
| Flash Sync Terminal | ISO 519 standard terminal, lock screw provided |
| Flash compensation | • -3 to +1 EV • 1/3, 1/2, or 1 EV step |
| Creative Lighting System | Speedlights such as SB-800, SB-600, SB-400, and SB-R200 support Advanced Wireless Lighting, Auto FP High-Speed Sync, Flash Color Information Communication, modeling flash, and FV lock |
| Orientation sensor | Tags images with camera orientation |
| Playback mode | • Full frame • Thumbnail (4 or 9 images) • One-touch zoom • Slide show • RGB histogram • Shooting data • Highlight point • Auto image rotation |
| Languages | • Chinese (Simplified and Traditional) • Dutch • English • Finnish • French • German • Italian • Japanese • Korean • Polish • Portuguese • Russian • Spanish • Swedish |
| Custom functions | 46 custom functions |
| Connectivity | • USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed) Mini-B connector • HDMI video out (Type C connector) • Remote control 10-pin terminal • PC Sync flash terminal |
| 10-pin terminal | • GPS: NMEA 0183 (Veer. 2.01 and 3.01) interface standard supported with 9-pin D-sub cable and GPS Cable MC-35 (optional) • Remote control: via 10-pin terminal |
| Communications | FTP and PTP/IP file transfer with optional Wireless Transmitter WT-3 (IEEE 802.11 b/g) |
| Storage | • Dual Compact Flash Type I or II • UDMA, Microdrive, and FAT32 supported • 36 characters of text can be input and stored in the EXIF header |
| Power | • Lithium-Ion EN-EL4a/EL4 • Included dual battery charger MH-22 • Optional AC adapter EH-6 |
| Battery monitoring | The LCD monitor on the camera back displays the following information about the EN-EL3e battery: • Remaining charge (%) • No. Of shots taken since the last charge • Battery life (5 stages) |
| Dimensions | 160 x 157 x 88 mm (6.3 x 6.2 x 3.4 in) |
| Weight (no batt) | 1246 g (2.7 lb) |
| Operating environment | Temperature: 0 – 40 °C / 32 – 104 °F, Humidity: under 85% (no condensation) |
| Box contents | Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL4a, Quick Charger MH-22, USB Cable UC-E4, Audio Video Cable EG-D2, Camera Strap AN-D3, Body Cap BF-1A, Accessory Shoe Cap BS-2, Eyepiece DK-17, Battery Chamber Cover BL-4, USB Cable Clip, Software Suite CD-ROM |
| Optional accessories | Wireless Transmitter WT-4, Magnifying Eyepiece DK-17M, AC Adapter EH-6, Capture NX Software, Camera Control Pro 2 Software, Image Authentication Software |
Conclusion
When evaluated only based on its capabilities, the Nikon D3S proves to be an exceptional camera. It provides unusually high image quality across an extensive range of ISO settings. In addition, its primary systems—autofocus, white balance, and metering—are at least on par with the most advanced options in comparable cameras made by competing manufacturers.
Considering its excellent battery life, durable build, and complete protection from the elements, you have a camera that can be taken anywhere. Of course, it’s possible that the majority of people who use DSLR cameras at the moment do not consider the video capability to be a ‘deal breaker.’ Still, regardless of how you feel about it, it’s good to have, and it works (relatively) well.
You could have guessed there would be a “but” coming, and here it is. My issue is not with what the D3S can do, which is exceptional in every way; instead, it is with what it is incapable of doing. Even when Nikon launched the D3 in 2007, several observers expressed astonishment that the company did not choose to use a sensor with a higher resolution.
After almost three years, a resolution of 12 million pixels appears even less ambitious compared to recently released alternatives such as the Canon EOS 1D Mark IV. However, in this particular market segment, Nikon believes that a reduction in resolution is acceptable in exchange for improved image quality when working with high ISO settings.
This additional high-ISO increase answers a critique of the D3 that no one had, which cannot be contested. Still, it is impossible to deny that anyone who routinely shoots in low available light would probably agree. After all, it’s challenging to make the case that the first-generation D3 wasn’t adequate when shooting at high ISOs…
The samples taken during this test have shown that the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV output is comparable to that of the first-generation D3, up to the maximum ISO level of 25,600 Mark IV offers.
Even though it is beautiful that the D3S produces cleaner images at even higher settings, I believe that most people do not need to shoot at an ISO that is significantly higher than 3200 most of the time, let alone 102,400.
Nikon D3s Price
Nikon D3S 12.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD and...
- 12.1-megapixel, FX-format CMOS sensor; 720p HD video capture
- Body only; lenses sold separately
- Low-noise ISO sensitivity from 200 to 12,800; continuous shooting up to 9fps
- Fast, accurate 51-point AF system; Nikon EXPEED image processing
- 12.1-megapixel, FX-format CMOS sensor; 720p HD video capture
- Body only; lenses sold separately
- Low-noise ISO sensitivity from 200 to 12,800; continuous shooting up to 9fps
- Fast, accurate 51-point AF system; Nikon EXPEED image processing
- 3-inch super-density 921,000-dot VGA LCD; one-button Live View with two shooting modes
- Dual CF card slots with overflow, backup and copy options (CF card not included); up to 4,300 images per battery charge
Nikon D3s FAQs
Is the Nikon D3s still worth buying?
Even though it is an outdated model, the Nikon D3s may still be worth purchasing for those who place a premium on its low-light performance and its construction quality.
Is Nikon D3s a full-frame camera?
There is a full-frame sensor inside the Nikon D3s camera.
Is Nikon D3s still worth buying?
Even though it’s getting on in years, the D3s can still be a good choice for some photographers, specifically those who enjoy working in dim light.
Is the D3s still a good camera?
The D3s is still a high-quality camera that performs exceptionally well in low light and offers a variety of advanced settings.
Are Nikon D3s weather sealed?
Yes, the Nikon D3s have been protected from the elements and are appropriate for use in challenging environments.
Is D3s full-frame?
The Nikon D3s is, in fact, a full-frame camera, as was previously indicated.
