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Nikon D3S In-depth review 5 FEATURED VIDEOS

Published Feb 16, 2010 | Barney Britton

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Based on
a production Nikon D3S, firmware version 1.0, 1.0 (note: As we were finalizing this test Semifinals: Roger Deakins vs Jordan
for publication, Nikon released a firmware upgrade for the D3S to Firmware 1.0.1, which Drake
corrects some minor bugs relating to video performance. We did not experience the issues
which the update is designed to fix, and all samples (and the majority of gallery images)
taken for this this review were created with firmware 1.0) Roger Deakins

When the Nikon D3 was launched in August 2007, it had an immediate impact on the DSLR Jordan Drake
market, and not only in the professional sector. The D3 was Nikon's first DSLR with an FX
You need to login to vote
(full frame) CMOS sensor, but its major selling point, in the minds of many photographers
at the time, was its unparalleled image quality at high ISO settings. With the D3,
photographers could shoot at ISO settings up to 6400 without a significant penalty in
noise, and in a pinch, even go up to ISO 25,600 (equivalent) - unheard of at the time. This FINISHED CHALLENGES
versatility, coupled with a very capable AF system and rugged, weatherproof build, did
much to reverse Nikon's declining fortunes in the professional DSLR market. Professional
Canon users, many of whom were disillusioned by the seemingly endless problems that
plagued the flagship EOS 1D Mark III at the time, flocked to the D3 in large numbers. In the
process, Nikon mounted a formidable challenge to Canon in the sports and action
segment of the pro marketplace.

A little over two years later, and Nikon is trying to build on the foundations laid by the D3's
runaway success. Enter the D3S. Ergonomically, very little has changed. In fact the D3S and
its predecessor are difficult to tell apart at a casual glance, but the D3S does offer some
significant improvements, not least a new 720x1280p video capture mode, and several
minor tweaks designed to make the new camera more competitive. These include a new
'Quiet' shutter release mode (first seen in the D5000), in-camera dust reduction, and a
choice of four image area formats, including DX, and a new 1.2x crop option. The D3S
offers the same resolution as the D3, at 12 million pixels, but its redesigned sensor can hit
new heights of ISO performance, offering a 'native' range of ISO 200-12,800, expandable Mud Slinger by cjf2
up to ISO 102,400. Is the promise of even better low light performance enough to answer from Mud, mud, glorious mud
those critics that are clamoring for higher resolution? Read our in-depth test (which
includes comparisons with the new Canon EOS 1D Mark IV) to find out. Discover more challenges »

Note: Because of the similarities between the D3S and the older D3, (and to a lesser extent
the D300S and D3X), especially as regards handling and certain key features, portions of LATEST ARTICLES
this review, including some product images, are taken or adapted from from previous
reviews. CP+ 2023: Fujifilm interview
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lens on your camera was made?
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*1 Also 8 fps in cropped mode (6.7 MP)

DPReview March Madness,
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Round 4, the end is nigh.
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Newly redesigned 12.1 megapixel Full-Frame (36 x 24 mm) sensor

ISO 200 - 12,800 (ISO 100 - 102,400 including extension settings) CP+ 2023: Sigma interview -
720p / 24 fps HD movie mode 'I think people's demand for
Eleven frames per second in continuous and DX mode lenses is unlimited'
Larger buffer for more than 30 RAW frames in one burst While in Japan recently for the
Multi-CAM3500FX Auto Focus sensor (51-point, 15 cross-type, more vertical annual CP+ expo, we sat down with Kazuto
Yamaki, CEO of Sigma, to get his thoughts on the
coverage), fine-tuned for improved acquisition and tracking
state of the L-mount Alliance and some insight
In-camera RAW processing
into his philosophy about running a camera and
Also supports DX lenses, viewfinder automatically masks (5.1 megapixels with DX lens business.
lens)
Mar 22, 2023 124
14-bit A/D conversion, 12 channel readout
Nikon EXPEED image processor
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Super fast operation (power-up 12 ms, shutter lag 41 ms, black-out 74 ms)
favourite products we
Kevlar / carbon fibre composite shutter with 300,000 exposure durability
reviewed for DPReview
Auto-focus tracking by color (using information from 1005-pixel AE sensor)
As their time at DPReview comes to
Auto-focus calibration (fine-tuning) available (fixed body or up to 20 separate lens
a close, Chris and Jordan look back at some of
settings)
their favourite gear they were able to review.
Scene Recognition System (uses AE sensor, AF sensor)
Mar 22, 2023 43 VIDEO
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Tags: review, nikon

Nikon Nikkor Z 26mm F2.8
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Next page Who doesn't love a compact
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low-cost drone models aimed at consumers. We
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Login Sign up
up to other sub-250g offerings. Are these secretly
great or more like toys?
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3Percent The D3s will start to go up in price as new DSLR designs are Leica announces Vario-
shelved. The old becomes the new again, with everything. Hold onto Elmar-SL 100-400 F5-6.3 and
yours if you have them. This camera is timeless, with enough boxes 1.4x 'extender'
checked to be a serious photographic tool until the day comes when the Leica has announced the Vario-
last D3s takes its very last image (that could be hundreds of years from Elmar-SL 100-400mm F5-6.3, a telephoto zoom
now). lens for L-mount. It's also announced a 1.4x
extender teleconverter to work with it.
Reply Like 1 month ago* permalink Mar 9, 2023 197 LENS NEWS

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kobakokh D3s is one of the great camera in the history. Still now many Round One voting results are in
people will just a dream for have it, cost about 1500 USD in mint and we're now down to 8 matches. Jump in to see
condition... who won and sneak a look at how the DPReview
team debated the choices, then get ready for
Reply Like Oct 16, 2017 permalink Round Two – voting starts now!
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SkyPixel 8th Annual Photo &
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This thorough write-up is helping me to better understand the Shooting
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Reply Like Sep 16, 2017 permalink

DPReview TV: This is the

best focal length
kobakokh if you will see dxomark sensor comparison, no camera Chris and Jordan have run the
can be compare with D3s still now, even D4s or D5... All of them are numbers, and the best focal length
behind in any features... And inr eal life D3s doing grest job. Today I is...
acceidentally found D3s in mint condition (something like 97!), wit Mar 8, 2023 267 VIDEO
17600 shutter actuation for 1200 USD and of course bought it...
A distortion of the truth?
Like 1 Jul 17, 2018 permalink Here’s why we’re not
against software lens
corrections
Hide replies   Reply Mathematical correction of lens distortion is
commonplace. We explain why we don't think it
makes sense to ignore it or to assume it's always
a bad thing.
Mar 7, 2023 664
Barney Britton First

Reply Like 11 Oct 25, 2014 permalink NPPA publishes Best of

Photojournalism winners in
book
Best of Photojournalism 2022 top
honors go to Marcus Yam (Los Angeles Times) and
Lynsey Addario (independent)

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(photographic) life: the Nikon D3 Fujifilm launches Instax
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When Nikon released the full-frame D3 in 2007, it changed An update to the Mini 11, the new
the professional photography industry. It was also a pivotal camera adds parallax correction
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