Features and Specifications: Nikon D3s

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.

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).

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

100% Viewfinder Coverage
Dual CF Card Slots with Overflow, Backup and Copy Options

Virtual Horizon Graphic Indicator
Approx. 4,200 Images per Battery Charge

Specifications

Image Sensor FormatFX
 
Image Sensor TypeCMOS
 
Sensor Size 36.0 x 23.9mm
 
Total Pixels12.87 million
 
Effective Pixels12.1 million
 
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
 
Top Continuous Shooting Speed at full resolution9 frames per second
 
Continuous Shooting OptionsFX-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
 
LCD Monitor Size3 in. diagonal
 
LCD Monitor TypeVGA TFT
Super Density
 
LCD Monitor Resolution921,000 Dots
 
LCD Monitor Angle of View170-degree wide-viewing angle
 
LCD Monitor AdjustmentsBrightness, 7 levels
 
Shutter typeElectronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane
 
Slowest Shutter Speed30 sec. in steps of 1/3
1/2
1 EV
 
Fastest Shutter Speed1/8000 sec. in steps of 1/3
1/2
1 EV
 
Bulb Shutter SettingYes
 
Mirror Lock UpYes
 
Lowest Standard ISO Sensitivity200 in steps of 1/3
1/2
1 EV
 
Highest Standard ISO Sensitivity12,800 in steps of 1/3
1/2
1 EV
 
Lowest Expanded ISO SensitivityLo-1 (ISO 100 equivalent, in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV)
 
Highest Expanded ISO SensitvityHi-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

 
Storage MediaCompactFlash© (Type I/II, compliant with UDMA)
MicroDrive©
 
Card Slot2 CompactFlash© cards
 
File FormatUncompressed 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
 
File SystemCompliant with DCF 2.0
DPOF
EXIF 2.21
 
Exposure ModesProgrammed Auto (P) with flexible Program
Shutter-Priority Auto (S)
Aperture-Priority Auto (A)
Manual (M)
 
Exposure Metering System1,005-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)
 
Metering Range1) 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 Meter CouplingCPU
AI
 
Exposure Compensation±5 EV in increments of 1/3
1/2
1
 
Exposure LockYes
Exposure locked at detected value with AE-L/AF-L button
 
Exposure BracketingYes
From 2 to 9 exposures in increments of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1 EV
 
Shutter Release ModesSingle-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
 
Movie ModesMovie with sound
HD 1280 x 720/24 fps
VGA 640 x 424/24 fps
QVGA 320 x 216/24 fps
 
White BalanceSun
Shade
Fluorescent
Incandescent
Flash
Preset
Fine Tune by Kelvin color temperature setting
 
White Balance BracketingYes, 2 to 9 exposures, in increments of 1, 2 or 3
 
Live View ShootingHandheld mode
Tripod mode
 
Playback FunctionsFull 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
 
InterfaceHi-speed USB
NTSC
PAL
HDMI
10-pin Terminal
 
Lens MountNikon 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

 
Picture AngleEquivalent to angle produced by lens focal length (1.5 times when DX-format is selected)
 
ViewfinderSLR-type with fixed eye-level pentaprism
 
Viewfinder Frame CoverageApprox. 100%
 
Viewfinder Eyepoint18 mm (-1.0 m-1)
 
Reflex MirrorQuick-return type
 
Focusing Screen
BriteView Clear Matte VI - Type B
 
Interchangeable Focusing ScreensYes
BriteView Clear Matte VI - Type B Clear Matte VI - Type E
 
Viewfinder MagnificationApprox. 0.7x (50mm f/1.4 lens at infinity; -1.0m-1)
 
Lens ApertureInstant-return type with depth-of-field preview button
 
Depth-of-field ControlYes
 
Autofocus SystemAutofocus 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]
 
Maximum Autofocus Areas/Points51
 
Autofocus Fine TuneYes
 
Focus ModesSingle-servo AF (S)
Continuous-servo (C)
Manual
 
Single-point AF ModeYes
 
Dynamic AF ModeYes
Number of AF points: 9, 21, 51 and 51 (3D-tracking)
 
Auto-area AF ModeYes
 
Focus LockAE-L/AF-L button
Half press of shutter-release button (single-point AF in AF-S)
 
Picture ControlStandard
Neutral
Vivid
Monochrome
Nine User-customizable Settings
 
In-Camera Image EditingTrim
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
 
Built-in FlashNo
 
External Flash ShoeYes
 
External Flash Shoe TypeStandard ISO 518 hot-shoe contact with safety lock
 
Dust-Off Reference PhotoYes
 
Virtual Horizon Camera IndicatorYes
 
Save/Load Camera settingsYes
 
Nikon Creative Lighting System CompatibilityYes
 
Flash Sync SpeedUp to 1/250
 
X-Sync Speed1/250
 
FP High Speed SyncUp to 1/8000
 
Flash Sync ModesFront-curtain sync (normal)
Slow sync
Rear-curtain sync
Red-eye reduction
Red-eye reduction with slow sync
 
Flash Control1) 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 TerminalYes
 
Accessory ShoeYes
 
Self-timerElectronically controlled timer with duration of 2, 5, 10 or 20 sec.
 
World Time SettingYes
 
Date, Time and Daylight Savings Time SettingsYes
 
Battery TypeRechargeable
 
Battery / BatteriesEN-EL4a Lithium-ion Battery
EN-EL4 Lithium-ion Battery
 
AC AdaptorEH-6 AC Adapter
 
Battery ChargerMH-21 Quick Charger
MH-22 Quick Charger
 
Image CommentYes
Up to 36 characters
 
Voice Memo FunctionYes
 
Battery Life (shots per charge) Approx. 4,200 shots (CIPA)
4,700 shots (Nikon Standard)
 
Tripod Socket ¼ inch 20
 
Approx. DimensionsWidth 6.3 in. (159.5mm)
Height 6.2 in. (157mm)
Depth 3.4 in. (87.5mm)
 
Approx. Weight43.7 oz. (1,240g)
 
Supported LanguagesChinese (Simplified and Traditional), Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish
 
Supplied SoftwareSoftware Suite CD-ROM
 
Optional AccessoriesWT-4A Wireless Transmitter, DK-17M Magnifying Eyepiece, EH-6 AC Adapter, Capture NX 2 Software, Camera Control Pro 2 Software, Image Authentication Software
 
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.