Overview
Nikon’s first FX format camera to feature high-definition movie recording offers photographers a whole new level of creative flexibility. The D3S features a highly sensitive 12.1 megapixel FX format CMOS sensor that boasts an ISO range of 200 to 12800. The D-movie function offers superior movie capture in stereo* sound and features a Save Selected frame option to speed up productivity. Nikon’s acclaimed 51-point AF system offers high sensitivity in low-light and superb performance when tracking fast moving subjects. An advanced image sensor cleaning function reduces the impact of dust spots and three alternative crop modes enhance shooting flexibility. The EXPEED image processing engine and expansive buffer enables you to shoot up to 9 fps for extended bursts. Protected by a tough, environmentally-sealed magnesium alloy body, the D3S redraws the boundaries for professional action photography.
*Compatible stereo microphone required.
Key features
12.1 megapixel FX (full-frame) CMOS sensor with high signal-to-noise ratio, wide dynamic range and 12-channel readout.
ISO 200 - 12800: extendable up to 102,400 (equivalent) with the Hi-3 setting and down to ISO 100 (equivalent) with the Lo-1 setting.
9fps consecutive shooting (11fps in DX Crop mode).
D-Movie records high-definition (HD) movie clips in stereo sound (Compatible stereo microphone required). Features Edit start/stop and Save selected frame functions, as well as AF support in Tripod mode.
Multi-CAM3500FX 51-point AF system: individually selectable or configurable in 9-point, 21-point and 51-point coverage settings.
EXPEED image processing engine with 14-bit A/D conversion and 16-bit image processing for superb tonal gradation.
920,000 dot 3-inch VGA LCD monitor with wide, 170-degree viewing angle.
Three Crop Modes: DX format 5:4 ratio and 1.2x. The DX crop mode can be automatically enabled when a DX lens is attached.
In-camera RAW processing saves time in post-production by enabling JPEG compression, Size, White Balance, Exposure Compensation, Picture Control, Noise Reduction, Color space and Vignette Control image settings to be applied to RAW (NEF) files in the camera.
Quiet shooting mode: perfect for discrete photography, the sound of the camera's mirror return mechanism is noticeably reduced.
Highly accurate, durable Kevlar/carbon fibre-composite shutter unit: standard rating of 300, 000 cycles, with a maximum shutter speed of 1/8,000 sec and flash synchronization at up to 1/250 sec.
HDMI video output interface enables connection to high-definition video systems.
Durable Magnesium alloy body built to withstand the rigors of the harshest of environments.
Wireless LAN and Ethernet support via optional Wireless Transmitter WT-4.
Technical Specifications
| Effective Pixels | 12.1 million |
| Type | Single-lens reflex digital camera |
| Lens Mount | Nikon F mount (with AF coupling and AF contacts) |
| Picture Angle | Equivalent to angle produced by lens focal length (1.5 times when DX format is selected) |
| Image Sensor | CMOS sensor, 36.0 × 23.9 mm; Nikon FX format |
| Total Pixels | 12.87 million |
| Dust-reduction System | Image Sensor Cleaning, Image Dust Off reference data (optional Capture NX 2 software required). |
| Image Size (pixels) | 1. FX format (36×24): 4,256 × 2,832 (large), 3,184 × 2,120 (medium), 2,128 × 1,416 (small) 1.1.2× (30×20): 3,552 × 2,368 (large), 2,656 × 1,776 (medium), 1,776 × 1,184 (small) 1. DX format (24×16): 2,784 × 1,848 (large), 2,080 × 1,384 (medium), 1,392 × 920 (small) 1. 5:4 (30×24): 3,552 × 2,832 (large), 2,656 × 2,120 (medium), 1,776 × 1,416 (small) |
| File Format | 1) NEF (RAW): 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed, or uncompressed, 2) TIFF (RGB), 3) JPEG: JPEG-Baseline compliant with fine (approx. 1:4), normal (approx. 1:8), or basic (approx. 1:16) compression (Size priority); Optimal quality compression available, 4) NEF (RAW) + JPEG: Single photograph recorded in both NEF (RAW) and JPEG formats |
| Picture Control System | Four setting options: Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome; each option can be adjusted |
| Storage Media | CompactFlash (Type I, compliant with UDMA) |
| Double Slot | Slot 2 can be used for overflow or backup storage or for separate storage of NEF (RAW) and JPEG images; pictures can be copied between cards |
| File System | Compliant with DCF 2.0, DPOF, Exif 2.21, and PictBridge |
| Viewfinder | Eye-level pentaprism single-lens reflex viewfinder |
| Frame Coverage | FX (36x24): Approx. 100% (vertical/horizontal), 1.2x (30x20): Approx. 97% (vertical/horizontal), DX (24x16): Approx. 97% (vertical/horizontal), 5:4 (30x24): Approx. 100% (vertical) and approx. 97% (horizontal) |
| Magnification | Approx. 0.7x (50mm f/1.4 lens at infinity; -1.0 m-1) |
| Eyepoint | 18 mm (-1.0 m-1) |
| Diopter Adjustment | -3 to +1 m-1 |
| Reflex Mirror | Quick return |
| Depth-of-field Preview | When Pv (depth-of-field preview) button is pressed, lens aperture can be stopped down to value selected by user (A and M modes) or value selected by camera (P and S modes) |
| Lens Aperture | Instant return, electronically controlled |
| Compatible Lenses | 1) Type G or D AF NIKKOR*1: All functions supported (PC Micro-NIKKOR does not support some functions) 2) DX NIKKOR: All functions supported except FX-format (36x24)/1.2x (30×20)/5:4 (30x24) image size 3) Other AF NIKKOR*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: Can be used in exposure modes A and M; color matrix metering and aperture value display supported if user provides lens data (AI lenses only) Electronic rangefinder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster *1. IX- NIKKOR lenses cannot be used *2. Excluding AF- NIKKOR lenses for F3AF |
| Type | Electronically-controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter |
| Speed | 1/8,000 to 30 s in steps of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV, bulb, X250 |
| Flash Sync Speed | X = 1/250 s; flash synchronization at up to 1/250 s |
| Release Modes | Single frame, continuous low speed, continuous high speed, quiet shutter-release, self-timer, mirror up |
| Frame Advance Rate (CIPA Guidelines) | • DX (24×16): Up to approx. 9 fps (CL) or approx. 9 to 11 fps (CH) • Other image areas: Up to approx. 9 fps |
| Self-timer | Electronically controlled timer with duration of 2, 5, 10 or 20 s |
| Metering | TTL full-aperture exposure metering using 1,005-pixel RGB sensor |
| Metering System | 1) Matrix: 3D color matrix metering II (type G and D lenses); color matrix metering II (other CPU lenses); color matrix metering (non-CPU lenses if user provides lens data) 2) Center-Weighted: Weight of 75% given to 12-mm circle in center of frame, diameter of circle can be changed to 8, 15 or 20 mm, or weighting can be based on average of entire frame (non-CPU lenses use 12-mm circle or average of entire frame) 3) Spot: Meters 4-mm circle (about 1.5% of frame) centered on selected focus point (on center focus point when non-CPU lens is used) |
| 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°C/68°F) |
| Exposure Meter Coupling | Combined CPU and AI |
| Exposure Modes | 1) Programmed Auto (P) with flexible program, 2) Shutter-Priority Auto (S), 3) Aperture-Priority Auto (A), 4) Manual (M) |
| Exposure Compensation | ±5 EV in increments of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV |
| Exposure Bracketing | 2 to 9 frames in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1 EV |
| Exposure Lock | Exposure locked at detected value with AE-L/AF-L button |
| ISO Sensitivity | ISO 200 to 12800 in steps of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV; can also be set to approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 or 1 EV (ISO 100 equivalent) below ISO 200 or to approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1, 2 or 3 EV (ISO 102400 equivalent) above ISO 12800; auto ISO sensitivity control available |
| Active D-Lighting | Can be selected from [Auto], [Extra high], [High], [Normal], [Low] or [Off] |
| ADL Bracketing | 2 frames using selected value for one frame or 3 to 5 frames using preset values for all frames |
| Autofocus | Nikon Multi-CAM 3500FX autofocus sensor module with TTL phase detection; 51 focus points (including 15 cross-type sensors); AF fine tuning possible |
| Detection Range | -1 to +19 EV (ISO 100 at 20°C/68°F) |
| Lens Servo | 1) Autofocus: Single-servo AF (S); Continuous-servo AF (C); predictive focus tracking automatically activated according to subject status 2) Manual focus (M) with electronic rangefinder |
| Focus Point | Can be selected from 51 or 11 focus points |
| AF-area Mode | 1) Single-point AF 2) Dynamic-area AF [number of AF points: 9, 21, 51, 51 (3D-tracking)] 3) Auto-area AF |
| Focus Lock | Focus can be locked by pressing AE-L/AF-L button or by pressing shutter-release button halfway (Single-servo AF) |
| Flash Control | 1) TTL: i-TTL balanced fill-flash and standard i-TTL flash for digital SLR using 1,005-pixel RGB sensor are available with SB-900, 800, 600 or 400 2) Auto aperture (AA): Available with SB-900, 800 and CPU lens 3) Non-TTL auto (A): Available with SB-900, 800, 28, 27 or 22S 4) Range-priority manual (GN): Available with SB-900 and 800 |
| Flash Modes | 1) Front curtain sync 2) Slow sync 3) Rear-curtain sync 4) Red-eye reduction 5) Red-eye reduction with slow sync |
| Flash Bracketing | 2 to 9 frames in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1 EV |
| Flash-ready Indicator | Lights when Speedlight such as SB-900, SB-800, SB-600, SB-400, SB-80DX, SB-28DX or SB-50DX is fully charged; blinks after flash is fired at full output |
| Accessory Shoe | ISO 518 hot-shoe with sync and data contacts, and safety lock |
| Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS) | Advanced Wireless Lighting supported with SB-900, SB-800 or SU-800 as commander and SB-900, SB-800, SB-600 or SB-R200 as remotes; Auto FP High-Speed Sync and modeling illumination supported with all CLS-compatible flash units except SB-400; Flash Color Information Communication and FV lock supported with all CLS-compatible flash units |
| Sync Terminal | ISO 519 sync terminal with locking thread |
| White Balance | Auto (TTL white balance with main image sensor and 1,005-pixel RGB sensor), Incandescent, Fluorescent (7 options), Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, preset manual (up to 5 values can be stored), and color temperature setting (2,500 K to 10,000 K), all with fine tuning |
| White Balance Bracketing | 2 to 9 frames in steps of 1, 2 or 3 |
| Modes | Tripod, Hand-held |
| Autofocus | • Tripod: Contrast-detect AF anywhere in frame • Hand-held: TTL phase-detection AF with 51 focus points (including 15 cross-type sensors) |
| Flicker Reduction | 50 Hz and 60 Hz |
| Frame Size (pixels) | 1,280 × 720/24 fps, 640 × 424/24 fps, 320 × 216/24 fps |
| File Format | AVI |
| Compression Format | Motion-JPEG |
| Audio | Microphone sensitivity can be adjusted |
| ISO Sensitivity | ISO 200 to 12800 (ISO 6400 to Hi 3 in high-sensitivity movie mode) |
| LCD Monitor | 3-in., approx. 921k-dot (VGA), 170-degree wide-viewing-angle, 100% frame coverage, low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD with brightness adjustment |
| Playback Function | Full-frame and thumbnail (4, 9 or 72 images) playback with playback zoom, movie playback, slide show, histogram display, highlight display, auto image rotation, image comment (up to 36 characters), and voice memo input and playback |
| USB | Hi-Speed USB |
| Video Output | NTSC or PAL; simultaneous playback from both the video output and on the LCD monitor available |
| HDMI Output | Type C HDMI connector; camera monitor turns off when HDMI cable is connected |
| Audio Input | Stereo mini-pin jack (3.5-mm diameter) |
| 10-pin Remote Terminal | Can be used to connect optional remote control, GPS Unit GP-1 or GPS device compliant with NMEA 0183 version 2.01 and 3.01 (requires optional GPS Cable MC-35 and cable with D-sub 9-pin connector) |
| Supported Languages | Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish |
| Battery | One Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL4a/EL4 |
| AC Adapter | AC Adapter EH-6 (optional) |
| Tripod Socket | 1/4 in. (ISO 1222) |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | Approx. 159.5 x 157 x 87.5 mm/6.3 x 6.2 x 3.4 in. |
| Weight | Approx. 1,240 g/2 lb. 12 oz. without battery, memory card, body cap or accessory shoe cover |
| Temperature | 0-40°C/32-104°F |
| Humidity | Under 85% (no condensation) |
| Supplied Accessories* | Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL4a, Quick Charger MH-22, USB Cable UC-E4, Audio Video Cable EG-D2, Camera Strap AN-DC5, Body Cap BF-1B, Accessory Shoe Cover BS-2, Eyepiece DK-17, Battery Chamber Cover BL-4, USB Cable Clip, Software Suite CD-ROM |
| Main Optional Accessories | Wireless Transmitter WT-4A/B/C/D/E**, GPS Unit GP-1, Magnifying Eyepiece DK-17M, AC Adapter EH-6, Capture NX 2 Software, Camera Control Pro 2 Software, Image Authentication Software |
* Supplied accessories may differ depending on country or area
** Product name varies according to region, depending on local frequency channels available.
Specifications and equipment are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer.
October 2009
©2009 NIKON CORPORATION
