D3S Power. Precision. Performance. The Blueprint for Versatility

Power. Precision. Performance.
The Blueprint for Versatility

Rugged construction houses barrier-breaking technologies, delivering low-noise 12,800 ISO still shooting at up to 9-fps, with exceptionally rich 24-fps HD video.

TIPA 2010 Best D-SLR Professional
EnlargeD3S 25466
Price$5,199.95*ESP

Supplied Accessories

  • EN-EL4a Rechargeable Li-ion Battery
  • MH-22 Quick Charger
  • UC-E4 USB Cable
  • EG-D2 Audio Video Cable
  • AN-DC5 Camera Strap
  • BF-1B Body Cap
  • BS-2 Accessory Shoe Cap
  • DK-17 Eyepiece
  • BL-4 Battery Chamber Cover
  • USB Cable Clip
  • Software Suite CD-ROM

*Supplied accessories may differ depending on country or area.

Key Features

Nikon-original FX-format CMOS Sensor
Newly engineered for striking image fidelity and low-noise, optimizing pixel size and count in a 12.1-megapixel sensor to produce extraordinarily rich files.

Continuous Shooting Up to 9 FPS
Secure exacting moments in time with an expanded buffer, allowing continuous capture of up to 82 JPEG (fine) or 36 14-bit NEF (RAW) images.

One-button Live View with Two Shooting Modes
Two modes for studio or remote shooting—Tripod Mode offers 27x magnification for precise focus confirmation.

Dynamic Integrated Dust Reduction System
Ultrasonic process combats the accumulation of dust on the optical low-pass filter, safeguarding image quality.

Fast, Accurate 51-Point AF System
4 Dynamic modes and 15 cross-type sensors deliver AF precision and razor sharpness.

Scene Recognition System
Referencing an onboard image database, teamed with RGB metering, SRS enhances exposure and white balance evaluation and improves AF speed and accuracy.

Nikon Picture Control
Four preset options and 9 customizable settings provide personalized style control.

Dual CF Card Slots with Overflow, Backup and Copy Options

Approx. 4,200 Images per Battery Charge

Low Noise ISO Sensitivity from 200 to 12,800
Renowned low-noise performance at 12,800, plus expanded settings to an astounding ISO 102,400 (equivalent) and ISO 100 (equivalent).

HD Video Capture
Record smooth 24 fps HD video, leveraging low-noise D3S image quality along with high fidelity stereo sound capability.

3-Inch Super-density 921,000-dot VGA LCD Monitor
D3S monitors are individually calibrated during assembly to assure accuracy.

Nikon EXPEED Image Processing
Drives breathtakingly rich image fidelity, low-noise and fast image processing.

1,005-Pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II
Nikon-pioneered RGB metering includes color information to intelligently determine more accurate exposures.

Rugged and Precise Magnesium Alloy Construction
Effectively protected from invasive dust, moisture and electromagnetic interference with a self-diagnostic shutter mechanism tested to exceed 300,000 cycles.

100% Viewfinder Coverage

Virtual Horizon Graphic Indicator

Experience It

*ESP (Estimated Selling Price) listed only as an estimate. Actual prices are set by dealers and are subject to change at any time.

Specifications

  • Total Pixels
    12.87 million
     
  • Effective Pixels
    12.1 million
     
  • Image Sensor Format
    FX
     
  • Image Sensor Type
    CMOS
     
  • Sensor Size
    36.0 x 23.9mm
     
  • Dust-Off Reference Photo
    Yes
     
  • Image Area (pixels)
    FX-format
    (L) 4,256 x 2,832
    (M) 3,184 x 2,120
    (S) 2,128 x 1,416
    1:2 format (30 x 20)
    (L) 3,552 x 2,368
    (M) 2,656 x 1,776
    (S) 1,776 x 1,184
    5:4 format (30 x 24)
    (L) 3,552 x 2,832
    (M) 2,656 x 2,120
    (S) 1,776 x 1,416
    DX-format
    (L) 2,784 x 1,848
    (M) 2,080 x 1,384
    (S) 1,392 x 920
     
  • Storage Media
    CompactFlash© (Type I/II, compliant with UDMA)
    MicroDrive©
     
  • File Format
    Uncompressed 12/14-bit NEF (RAW)
    Compressed 12/14-bit NEF (RAW, Lossless compressed): approx. 60-80 percent
    Compressed 12/14-bit NEF (RAW, Compressed): approx. 45-60 percent
    JPEG: JPEG-baseline-compliant; can be selected from Size Priority and Optimal Quality
    TIFF (RGB)
    WAV
     
  • Picture Control
    Standard
    Neutral
    Vivid
    Monochrome
    Nine User-customizable Settings
     
  • Movie Modes
    Movie with sound
    HD 1280x720 / 24 fps
    VGA 640x424 / 24 fps
    QVGA 320x216 / 24fps
     
  • LCD Monitor Size
    3 in. diagonal
     
  • LCD Monitor Type
    VGA TFT
    Super Density
     
  • LCD Monitor Resolution
    921,000 Dots
     
  • LCD Monitor Angle of View
    170-degree wide-viewing angle
     
  • LCD Monitor Adjustments
    Brightness, 7 levels
     
  • Live View Shooting
    Handheld mode
    Tripod mode
     
  • Virtual Horizon Camera Indicator
    Yes
     
  • Playback Functions
    Full frame
    Thumbnail (4, 9 or 72 segments)
    Zoom
    Slideshow
    Histogram display
    Shooting data
    Highlight point display
    Auto image rotation
    Voice Memo
    D-Movie Playback
    Image Comment
     
  • Image Comment
    Yes
    Up to 36 characters
     
  • Voice Memo Function
    Yes
     
  • Lens Mount
    Nikon F bayonet mount
     
  • Compatible Lenses

    1) Type G or D AF NIKKOR: All functions supported

    2) DX AF NIKKOR: All functions supported except FX-format (36x24)/ 1:2 (30x20) image size /5:4 (30x24)

    3) AF NIKKOR other than type G or D*2: All functions supported except 3D Color Matrix Metering II

    4) AI-P NIKKOR: All functions supported except autofocus and 3D Color Matrix Metering II

    5) 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 user provides lens data

     
  • Viewfinder
    SLR-type with fixed eye-level pentaprism
     
  • Viewfinder Frame Coverage
    Approx. 100%
     
  • Viewfinder Magnification
    Approx.

    0.7x (50mm f/1.4 lens at infinity; -1.0m-1)

     
  • Autofocus System

    Autofocus TTL phase detection, 51 focus points (15 cross-type sensors) by Nikon Multi-CAM 3500FX autofocus module; Detection: -1 to +19 EV (ISO 100 at 20°C/68°F); AF fine adjustment possible. Focal-plane contrast [in Live View (Tripod) mode]

     
  • Focus Modes
    Single-servo AF (S)
    Continuous-servo (C)
    Manual
     
  • Focus Lock
    AE-L/AF-L button
    Half press of shutter-release button (single-point AF in AF-S)
     
  • Maximum Autofocus Areas/Points
    51
     
  • Single-point AF Mode
    Yes
     
  • Dynamic AF Mode
    Yes
    Number of AF points: 9, 21, 51 and 51 (3D-tracking)
     
  • Auto-area AF Mode
    Yes
     
  • Focusing Screen
    BriteView Clear Matte VI - Type B
     
  • Interchangeable Focusing Screens
    Yes
    BriteView Clear Matte VI - Type B
    Clear Matte VI - Type E
     
  • Depth-of-field Control
    Yes
     
  • White Balance
    Sun
    Shade
    Fluorescent
    Incandescent
    Flash
    Preset
    Fine Tune by Kelvin color temperature setting
     
  • White Balance Bracketing
    Yes, 2 to 9 exposures, in increments of 1, 2 or 3
     
  • Exposure Metering System
    1,005-pixel RGB sensor 3D Color Matrix Metering II
    Variable Center-weighted
    Spot AF
    Spot meter centered on selected focus point (on center focus point when non-CPU lens is used)
     
  • Lowest Standard ISO Sensitivity
    200 in steps of 1/3
    1/2
    1 EV
     
  • Highest Standard ISO Sensitivity
    12,800in steps of 1/3
    1/2
    1EV
     
  • Lowest Expanded ISO Sensitivity

    Lo-1 (ISO 100 equivalent, in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV)

     
  • Highest Expanded ISO Sensitivity

    Hi-3 (ISO 102,400 equivalent)

     
  • Expanded ISO Sensitivity Options

    Hi-1, (ISO-25,600 equivalent), in 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV steps

    Hi-2, (ISO-51,200 equivalent), 1 EV step

    Hi-3, (ISO-102,400 equivalent), 1 EV step

     
  • Metering Range

    1) 0 to 20 EV (Matrix or center-weighted metering); 2) 2 to 20 EV (Spot metering) (ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens, at 20 degrees C/68 degrees F)

     
  • Exposure Modes
    Programmed Auto (P) with flexible Program
    Shutter-Priority Auto (S)
    Aperture-Priority Auto (A)
    Manual (M)
     
  • Exposure Compensation
    ±5 EV in increments of 1/3
    1/2
    1
     
  • Exposure Lock
    Yes
    Exposure locked at detected value with AE-L/AF-L button
     
  • Exposure Bracketing
    Yes
    From 2 to 9 exposures in increments of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1
     
  • Total custom Settings
    46
     
  • My Menu
    Yes: with customization
     
  • Top Continuous Shooting Speed at full resolution
    9 frames per second
     
  • Continuous Shooting Options
    FX-format
    CH: Up to 9 frames per second
    CL: Up to 8 frames per second
    5:4 format
    CH: Up to 9 frames per second
    CL: Up to 8 frames per second
    DX-format
    CH: Up to 11 frames per second
    CL: Up to 10 frames per second
     
  • Slowest Shutter Speed
    30 sec. in steps of 1/3
    1/2
    1 EV
     
  • Fastest Shutter Speed
    1/8000 sec. in steps of 1/3
    1/2
    1 EV
     
  • Bulb Shutter Setting
    Yes
     
  • Shutter type
    Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane
     
  • Self-timer
    Electronically controlled timer with duration of 2, 5, 10 or 20 sec.
     
  • Built-in Flash
    No
     
  • Flash Control

    1) TTL flash control with 1,005-pixel RGB sensor; i-TTL balanced fill-flash and standard i-TTL fill-flash available with SB-900, SB-800, SB-600 or SB-400
    2) Auto aperture (AA): Available with SB-900 or SB-800 and CPU lens
    3) Non-TTL auto (A): Available with SB-900, SB-800, SB-28, SB-27 or SB-22s
    4) Range-priority manual (GN): Available with SB-900 or SB-800

     
  • Flash Sync Modes
    Front-curtain sync (normal)
    Slow sync
    Rear-curtain sync
    Red-eye reduction
    Red-eye reduction with slow sync
     
  • Mirror Lock Up
    Yes
     
  • Card Slot
    2 CompactFlash© cards
     
  • File System
    Compliant with DCF 2.0
    DPOF
    EXIF 2.21
     
  • Exposure Meter Coupling
    CPU
    AI
     
  • Shutter Release Modes
    Single-frame [S] mode
    Continuous low-speed [CL] mode; 1-9 frames per second
    Continuous high-speed [CH] mode; 9 frames per second (9-11 frames per second with DX format)
    Live View [LV] mode
    Self-timer mode
    Mirror-up [Mup] mode
     
  • Picture Angle
    Equivalent to angle produced by lens focal length (1.5 times when DX-format is selected)
     
  • Viewfinder Eyepoint

    18 mm (-1.0 m-1)

     
  • Reflex Mirror
    Quick-return type
     
  • Lens Aperture
    Instant-return type with depth-of-field preview button
     
  • Autofocus Fine Tune
    Yes
     
  • Flash Sync Speed
    Up to 1/250
     
  • X-Sync Speed
    1/250
     
  • FP High Speed Sync
    Up to 1/8000
     
  • Flash Bracketing
    2 to 9 exposures in increments of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, or 1 EV steps
     
  • Nikon Creative Lighting System Compatibility
    Yes
     
  • In-Camera Image Editing
    Trim
    D-Lighting
    Color Balance
    Image Overlay
    Side-by-Side Comparison
    Filter Effects
    Monochrome
    NEF (RAW) Processing
    Red-eye Correction
    Resize
    Edit Movie with Save Selected Frame
     
  • High ISO Noise Reduction

    1) Low
    2) Normal
    3) High
    4) Off

     
  • Long Exposure Noise Reduction
    Yes
     
  • Battery Type
    Rechargeable
     
  • Battery / Batteries
    EN-EL4a Lithium-ion Battery
    EN-EL4 Lithium-ion Battery
     
  • Battery Life (shots per charge)
    Approx. 4,200 shots (CIPA)
    4,700 shots (Nikon Standard)
     
  • AC Adapter
    EH-6 AC Adapter
     
  • Battery Charger
    MH-21 Quick Charger
    MH-22 Quick Charger
     
  • Supplied Software
    Software Suite CD-ROM
     
  • Optional Accessories
    WT-4A Wireless Transmitter, DK-17M Magnifying Eyepiece, EH-6 AC Adapter, Capture NX 2 Software, Camera Control Pro 2 Software, Image Authentication Software
     
  • Interface
    Hi-speed USB
    NTSC
    PAL
    HDMI
    10-pin Terminal
     
  • WiFi Functionality

    FTP file transfer available and PTP/IP with optional WT-4a (IEEE 802.11a/b/g)

     
  • GPS
    With optional GP-1 GPS Unit and supplied Connecting Cord or via optional MC-35 GPS cable.
    Requires user's own GPS unit that conforms to NMEA0183 data protocol.
     
  • Approx. Dimensions
    Width 6.3 in. (159.5mm)
    Height 6.2 in. (157mm)
    Depth 3.4 in. (87.5mm)
     
  • Approx. Weight
    43.7 oz. (1,240g)
     
  • Accessory Shoe
    Yes
     
  • Flash Sync Terminal
    Yes
     
  • Tripod Socket
    ¼ inch 20
     
  • Save/Load Camera settings
    Yes
     
  • Date, Time and Daylight Savings Time Settings
    Yes
     
  • World Time Setting
    Yes
     
  • Supported Languages
    Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish
     
  • Supplied Accessories
    • EN-EL4a Rechargeable Li-ion Battery
    • MH-22 Quick Charger
    • UC-E4 USB Cable
    • EG-D2 Audio Video Cable
    • AN-DC5 Camera Strap
    • BF-1B Body Cap
    • BS-2 Accessory Shoe Cap
    • DK-17 Eyepiece
    • BL-4 Battery Chamber Cover
    • USB Cable Clip
    • Software Suite CD-ROM

    *Supplied accessories may differ depending on country or area.

     

*ESP (Estimated Selling Price) listed only as an estimate. Actual prices are set by dealers and are subject to change at any time.

**Specifications and equipment are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer.

*ESP (Estimated Selling Price) listed only as an estimate. Actual prices are set by dealers and are subject to change at any time.

*ESP (Estimated Selling Price) listed only as an estimate. Actual prices are set by dealers and are subject to change at any time.

*ESP (Estimated Selling Price) listed only as an estimate. Actual prices are set by dealers and are subject to change at any time.

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Industry Recognition

*ESP (Estimated Selling Price) listed only as an estimate. Actual prices are set by dealers and are subject to change at any time.

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Manual

Resources

*ESP (Estimated Selling Price) listed only as an estimate. Actual prices are set by dealers and are subject to change at any time.

Review

June 2010, Shooting around with the Nikon D3S: field review

by Darren Murph

Engadget's Darren Murph reviewed the Nikon D3S and praised the ISO range, adding that it will allow previously impossible shots to be captured.  Murph also highlighted the shutter speeds and video capability of the D3S, stating that the D3S makes use of its "full talents." Murph concluded that the D3S will not only shake up the industry, but will also "radically change the consumer camera."

Review

April 2010, Nikon D3S Overview

by Andrew Alexander, Shawn Barnett, Mike Tomkins, and Zig Weidelich

Imaging-Resource editors Andrew Alexander, Shawn Barnett, Mike Tomkins, and Zig Weidelich reviewed the Nikon D3S and agreed that it improves many of the features from its predecessor, the D3, and adds new features, which make the D3S "more intuitive."  With the increased sensitivity of the D3S and expanded ISO settings reaching 102,400, the editors touted that the "possibilities just multiplied."  The editors also highlighted the low-light and HD video capabilities and crowned the Nikon D3S a "Dave's Pick."

Review

February 2010, Nikon D3S In-Depth Review

by Barnaby Britton

Barnaby Britton of DP Review recounted the "formidable challenge" Nikon made to its competitors with the launch of the D3 in 2007 and praised the "significant improvements" the D3S made from its predecessor, most notably, the bar-setting ISO abilities.  Britton added that other changes, including the new 720p HD video capabilities and Quiet Shutter Release modes, make the D3S "more competitive."  Britton concluded that the Nikon D3S is an "absolutely excellent camera."

Review

January 2010, Camera Test: Nikon D3S

by Phil Ryan

Phil Ryan of Popular Photography reviewed the Nikon D3S and crowned it a "groundbreaking achievement" due to its high ISO capabilities.  After putting the D3S through a series of tests in the Pop Photo Lab, Ryan was impressed with the D3S' outstanding color reproduction and its impressive autofocus and AF tracking. Ryan concluded that the D3S is "one of the most powerful imaging tools available."

Review

January 2010, Nikon D3S and AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm

by Dan Havlik

PDN's Dan Havlik and portrait photographer Jordan Matter reviewed the Nikon D3S alongside the AF-S Nikkor 70-200 mm f/2.8 ED VR II lens. Havlik concluded that the Nikon D3S paired with the 70-200mm VR II lens "packs a powerful one-two punch."  He later highlighted the effectiveness of the D3S for a variety of uses and praised the "stellar" ISO range and HD movie capability.  When referring to the low light/high ISO performance of the D3S, both Havlik and Matter agreed that it was the best they had seen from any camera on the market.
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