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Nikon D3 Digital SLR Camera - Body Only (12.1MP, 4256x2832, CompactFlash/Microdrive Card Slot)
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$4,544.00 - $5,199.00 From 3 Vendors Get Best Prices »
- Spec Navigator
- Image Processor
- Storage
- LCD Screen
- Exposure Controls
- Dimensions
- Power
- Flash
- Lens Features
- Connectivity
- Other Features
- Warranty
- Tags
Image Processor
| Number of image sensor pixels | 12.87 megapixels |
| Image sensor | CMOS |
| Maximum horizontal image resolution | 4256 |
| Maximum vertical image resolution | 2832 |
| Image sensor quantity | 1 |
| Image format |
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| Number of resolution modes | 9 |
| White balance |
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Exposure Controls
| Bulb setting | Yes |
| ISO equivalencies |
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| Exposure settings |
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| Exposure compensation range | 5 |
| Metering characteristics |
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Flash
| Flash characteristics |
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Lens Features
| Camera body only | Yes |
| Focal length conversion factor (SLR) | 1.5 X |
| Lens mount | Interchangeable |
| Focus features |
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Connectivity
| Interface connection |
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Average Megapixels For an SLR
This digital SLR has an average megapixel count for its class. You can print images from an 8- to 10-megapixel camera at sizes up to 8 by 10 inches with no loss in quality; at 13 by 19 inches, however, prints will exhibit a slight loss of detail. Images from a 13-megapixel camera look good at 13 by 19 inches and can be pushed to 16 by 24 inches. Though prints at these larger sizes will lose some sharpness, they'll be superior to what you'd get from 35mm film printed at the same dimensions. You’ll also have plenty of latitude to crop and resize images. As the pixel count on an image sensor increases, so does its propensity to produce images plagued by noise--ugly speckling patterns. To avoid noise, look for a camera with the lowest pixel count that still serves your output needs.
High Continuous Shooting Speed
When a camera is in burst (or drive) mode, it will continue to shoot as long as you hold down the shutter button. How quickly a particular model takes pictures in this mode depends on its continuous shooting speed, measured in number of frames per second (fps). This SLR has a high continuous shooting speed. With a burst speed of 5 fps or greater, a camera can record a very subtle range of expressions in series shots of people. These slight variations can often make the difference between a good portrait or candid photo and an unusable one. You'll also be able to capture decisive sports and entertainment moments.
TIFF Image Format
This camera is capable of storing images in TIFF format. Like RAW-format images (but unlike JPEG images), TIFF images remain uncompressed, which means that you don’t have to worry that the camera may throw out valuable image data. If you regularly edit your photographs, uncompressed graphics files are a better way to go. On the other hand, TIFF images are much larger than JPEG images. Consequently, you’ll need more storage for TIFF files, and your camera won't be able to store images as quickly. Your time between shots could be longer as well.
JPEG Image Format
All digital cameras can capture JPEG images. The JPEG compression process greatly reduces the amount of storage an image requires, and JPEG images transfer quickly from your camera to your computer. JPEG compression is a lossy algorithm, however, which means that saving an image in JPEG format degrades its quality. The high-quality JPEG settings on most cameras are quite good, and it's difficult to spot differences between a JPEG compressed image and a noncompressed image. Still, if you like to edit your images, you may want to upgrade to a camera that also supports a noncompressed (lossless) format, such as TIFF or RAW.
Supports Center-Weight Metering
The light meter controls how long the shutter stays open and how large the aperture is--two variables that are critical to image quality. The default meter on most cameras is a matrix meter, which divides your scene into a grid, gauges the light in each cell of the grid, and then averages the results to come up with a final metering value for the shot. This SLR, however, uses a center-weight meter, which works like a matrix meter but pays more attention to the cells at the center of the viewfinder. This approach to metering can help greatly with backlighting complications.
Supports Spot Metering
A camera's light meter controls how long the shutter stays open and how large the aperture is--two variables that are critical to image quality. This SLR features spot metering. A spot meter gauges the necessary aperture and exposure time for a shot by measuring one spot in the scene you are photographing--usually a very small one. A spot meter is useful for dealing with backlighting complications and scenes that have a very wide dynamic range (a big variation in brightness or darkness) because it ensures that the exposure will be appropriate for certain specific details in the scene.
Fast Shutter Speed
A camera has two mechanisms for controlling how much light hits the sensor: the aperture, which opens and closes like the iris in your eye; and the shutter, which determines how long the sensor will be exposed to light. Depending on how fast the camera can open and close its shutter, you’ll be able to freeze fast-moving motion more precisely or less precisely. This model's fast shutter speed makes it ideal for capturing pictures at sporting events, in nature, and in moving water. You still have the option of shooting at slower shutter speeds to create blurred motion, if you wish.
Review Now! Already own it? Tell us What You Think
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Reviewed by: ski2mch
Strengths: Fast start up, great battery life, high useable ASA, large LCD, 2 card slots, easy to navigate menus.
Weaknesses: Wish it were lighter weight. A few more Megapixels wouldn't hurt.
Overall: I'm a film guy and have stuck it out till the bitter end using my F5....still a great camera. BUT, I know I will be able to get many more shots I never could have with my film camera and it's going to be nice to not have to travel around with a whole brick of film. Digital also allows you to play and experiment with things. Very, very happy with my purchase. Glad Nikon FINALLY came out with a full frame camera.
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Reviewed by: nanushka
Strengths: great in low-light, sharp pictures, ease of use..easy transition from D2X
Weaknesses: price.
Overall: This was a much anticipated upgrade from my D2X. I'd been hearing lots of praise for its low-light capabilities and have only been using this camera a few days now and so far it's been great.
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Reviewed by: gdwoon
Strengths: Extremely easy to use. Fast.
Weaknesses: None
Overall: I am new to digital cameras and learning how to use this camera was easy and fast. I purchased three Nikon lenses to match this camera and they all work perfectly. ( 14-24mm f2.8, 24-70mm f2.8 and the 70-200mm f2.8) I am blown away by the clarity and detail of the photos that I am able to capture. All three lenses feel extremely balanced on the D3 and the weight with the heaviest lens is not a problem. I have printed images as large as 24x36 inches on an HP Z3100 color printer and they meet my needs. Anyone who can afford this system will be amazed and happy with your images and output.
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Reviewed by: dmilstein
Strengths: Low noise at high ISO. Flexibility in custom programming. Very intuitive layout. SOLID feel. Great display.
Weaknesses: Bracketing limited to +/- 1 step at a time instead of +/- 2
Overall: I set down a D1X and popped the lens on the D3. Big mistake. That might as well have been a funeral ceremony for the D1X. The unfair comparison aside, this camera left me wondering how I was ever going to use all it had to offer. The first thing I noticed was that after a quick review of the control layout and on-screen menu choices, entering all of the custom settings I wanted was simple. Most of the "New Features" have on-screen info available at the touch of one clearly marked button. Shooting was as expected for a Pro 35mm format camera. Solid feel, instant response, and no surprises in the mechanics. Let's assume for the remainder of this review that it's well built and has all the features you could hope for in the format. The selling features for me are in the RESULTS. At high ISO settings, the D3 is superb. Low light with no strobe takes on an entirely new meaning. Combined with a VR lens, many once impossible shots seem easy. Images taken "On the fly" look as if they were set up carefully. 14 bit RAW files get a bit thick on the CF card, but hey - that's what the second slot is for! I'm using the D3 for interior architectural photos, and it has yet to let me down. As 30-year Nikon user, I have come to expect nothing but the best. Past digital offerings from Nikon have failed to live up to the standards set by the film cameras... until now. The D3 is simply the finest 35mm format SLR I have ever used.
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Reviewed by: denniscs
Strengths: Incredibly accurate metering system, Low light High ISO setting capabilities with minimal noise, full frame sensor,dual memory card slots, exceptional battery life, 3" high res LCD & clear viewfinder.
Weaknesses: Size and weight but what can you do when you pack all of this into one package, Not really a big negative.
Overall: First let me say I previously owned a Nikon D1 and a D2X and I really liked them both. Each new mod seemed to improve a little over the other. The D2X improved on the sensor resolution and slightly improved on the high ISO noise problem.Well the D3 ends all the similarities, it is a big leap forward in several key areas. First the big leap in ISO sensitivity from 3200 on the D2 to ISO 25600 on the D3. Plus not only does the D3 do 25600, it does it better than the D2x did ISO 3200. The results look better, with less noise and better color output as well. The full size sensor is the next big item for me, it allows the full benefits of my wide lenses, and the bigger pixles seem to perform much better at large maginfications with less halo and shimmer effect.The new metering with 51 points seems to perform quite well and lastly I really like having the 2 memory card slots. this feature is really nice as it allows several options as to how you use the 2 memory cards, say for back or for using two photographic storage formats simultaneously.Lastly the Nikon build quality as always is exceptional!
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- Before you buy
- How to Buy a Digital Camera
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