Cameras
Nikon D3
FX format professional SLR with a highly sensitive 12.1 megapixel CMOS sensor; extendable ISO range of 200 to 6400; EXPEED image processing engine; and 9 fps continuous shooting.
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Nikon D3 Review (Part 2)
Nikon D3 Review (Part 1)
Nikon D3 Review (Part 2)
Nikon D3 review by What Digital Camera. Part 2 of 2
Nikon D3 Review (Part 1)
Nikon D3 review by What Digital Camera. Part 1 of 2
FX format professional SLR with a highly sensitive 12.1 megapixel CMOS sensor; extendable ISO range of 200 to 6400; EXPEED image processing engine; and 9 fps continuous shooting. Sets the benchmark for professional action photography.
Nikon’s first ever FX format camera enables photographers who work under extreme conditions to stay ahead of the game. The D3 features a highly sensitive 12.1 megapixel CMOS sensor that boasts an extendable ISO range of 200 to 6400, and its Kevlar/carbon fiber-composite shutter and EXPEED image processing engine enable it to shoot at a staggering 9 fps (11 fps in DX Crop mode). The advanced Scene Recognition System delivers superior exposures and is supported by Nikon’s next-generation 51-point AF system, which offers broad coverage and high sensitivity in low light. Selectable Picture Controls streamline in-camera image processing, saving time in post-production, and a high definition 3-inch LCD screen supports two Live View modes plus an HDMI video output. Protected by a tough, environmentally-sealed magnesium alloy body, the D3 sets the benchmark for professional action photography.
- 12.1 megapixel FX format CMOS sensor with high signal-to-noise ratio, wide dynamic range and 12-channel readout.
- ISO 200 – 6400 : extendable up to 25600 (equivalent) and down to ISO 100 (equivalent).
- 9fps consecutive shooting (11fps in DX Crop mode)
- EXPEED image processing engine with 14-bit A/D conversion and 16-bit image processing for superb tonal gradation.
- Advanced Scene Recognition System combines the camera’s metering and AF sensors for precise exposures and sharply defined images.
- Multi-CAM3500FX 51-point AF system . Individually selectable or configurable in 9-point, 21-point and 51-point coverage settings.
- Picture Controls streamline in-camera image processing by enabling customization of image parameters before capture and offer complete control over sharpening, contrast, brightness, hue and saturation in various color modes.
- 920,000 dot 3-inch VGA LCD monitor with wide, 170-degree viewing angle.
- Live View with Autofocus enables composition of images using the LCD monitor. Two modes are supported: Handheld or Tripod.
- Two Crop Modes : DX format and 5:4 ratio. The DX crop mode can be automatically enabled when a DX lens is attached.
- Quick response : approx. 37 ms shutter-lag and 55 ms viewfinder black-out.
- Highly accurate, durable Kevlar/carbon fiber-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.
- Active D-Lighting enables superior high-contrast images by automatically applying tone compensation at the moment of capture.
- Dual CF card slots : configurable for parallel (simultaneous) or serial (consecutive) recording.
- HDMI video output interface enables connection to high-definition video systems.
- Intuitive ergonomics with optimized button placement for fast and comfortable handling.
- Durable Magnesium alloy body built to withstand the rigors of the harshest of environments.
| Type of Camera | Single-lens reflex digital camera with interchangeable lenses |
| Effective Pixels | 12.1 million |
| Image Sensor | CMOS sensor, 36.0 x 23.9 mm; total pixels: 12.87 million; Nikon FX format |
| ISO Sensitivity | ISO 200 to 6,400 in steps of 1/3, 1/2, or 1 EV; sensitivity decreases approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, or 1 (ISO 100 equivalent) EV below ISO 200, and increases approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1 (ISO 12,800 equivalent), or 2 (ISO 25,600 equivalent) EV over ISO 6,400 |
| Storage Media | CompactFlash (Type I/II, compliant with UDMA); Microdrives |
| File System | Compliant with DCF 2.0, DPOF and Exif 2.21 |
| Storage System | Compressed 12/14 bit NEF (RAW, Lossless compressed): approx. 60-80% Compressed 12/14 bit NEF (RAW, Compressed): approx. 45-60% JPEG: JPEG-baseline-compliant; can be selected from Size priority and Optimal quality |
| Release Modes | 1) Single-frame [S] mode, 2) Continuous low-speed [CL] mode: 1-9 frames per second*, 3) Continuous high-speed [CH] mode: 9 fps (9-11 fps with DX format)*, 4) Liveview [LV] mode, 5) Self-timer [mark] mode, 6) Mirror-up [Mup] mode *With Continuous-servo AF, S or M exposure mode, shutter speed 1/250 s or faster; other settings are set at “Default”. |
| White Balance | Auto (TTL white balance with main image sensor and 1,005-pixel RGB sensor); Seven manual modes can be preset with fine-tuning; color temperature setting; white balance bracketing: 2 to 9 exposures in increments of 1, 2 or 3 |
| Liveview | Handheld mode: TLL phase-difference AF with 51 focus areas (15 cross-type sensors) Tripod mode: focal-plane contrast AF on a desired point within a specific area |
| LCD Monitor | 3-in., approx. 920,000-dot (VGA), 170-degree wide-viewing-angle, 100% frame coverage, low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD with brightness adjustment |
| Playback Function | 1) Full frame, 2) Thumbnail (4 or 9 segments), 3) Zoom, 4) Slide show, 5) Histogram indication, 6) Shooting data, 7) Highlight point display, 8) Auto image rotation |
| Video Output | NTSC or PAL; simultaneous playback from both the video output and on the LCD monitor available |
| HDMI Output | Supports HDMI version 1.3a; Type A connector is provided as HDMI output terminal; simultaneous playback from both the HDMI output terminal and on the LCD monitor not available |
| Interface | Hi-speed USB |
| Lens Mount | Nikon F mount with AF coupling and AF contacts |
| Compatible Lenses | 1) Type G or D AF Nikkor: All functions supported 2) DX AF Nikkor: All functions supported except FX-format (36x24)/5:4 (30x24) image size 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 range finder 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 *1. IX Nikkor lenses can not be used *2. Excluding lenses for F3AF |
| Picture Angle | Equivalent to angle produced by lens focal length (1.5 times when DX format is selected) |
| Viewfinder | SLR-type with fixed eye-level pentaprism; built-in diopter adjustment (-3 to +1 m-1) |
| Eyepoint | 18 mm (-1.0 m-1) |
| Focusing Screen | Type B BriteView Clear Matte VI screen |
| Viewfinder Frame Coverage | Approx. 100% (vertical/horizontal) |
| Viewfinder Magnification | Approx. 0.7x (50mm f/1.4 lens at infinity; -1.0 m-1) |
| Reflex Mirror | Quick-return type |
| Lens Aperture | Instant-return type, with depth-of-field preview button |
| Autofocus | • TTL phase detection, 51 focus points (15 cross-sensors) by Nikon Multi-CAM 3500FX autofocus module; detection range: -1 to +19 EV (ISO 100 at 20°C/68°F); AF fine adjustment possible • Focal-plane contrast [in Liveview (Tripod) mode] |
| Lens Servo | 1) Autofocus: Single-servo AF (S); continuous-servo AF (C); focus tracking automatically activated according to subject status, 2) Manual focus (M) with electronic rangefinder |
| Focus Point | Single AF point can be selected from 51 or 11 focus points |
| AF-Area Mode | 1) Single-point AF, 2) Dynamic AF [number of AF areas: 9, 21, 51, 51 (3D-tracking)], 3) Automatic–area AF |
| Focus Lock | Focus can be locked by pressing AE-L/AF-L button or by pressing shutter-release button halfway (single-point AF in AF-S) |
| Exposure Metering System | TTL full-aperture exposure metering using 1,005-pixel RGB sensor 1) 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 8, 15 or 20-mm circle in center of frame, or weighting based on average of entire frame 3) Spot: Meters 4-mm circle (about 1.5% of frame) centered on selected focus area (on center focus area 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 | Exposure and/or flash bracketing (2 to 9 exposures in increments of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1 EV) |
| Picture Control System | Four setting options: Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome; each option can be adjusted |
| Exposure Lock | Exposure locked at detected value with AE-L/AF-L button |
| Shutter | Electronically-controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter; 1/8,000 to 30 s in steps of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV; Bulb |
| Sync Contact | X = 1/250 s; flash synchronization at up to 1/250 s |
| 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-800, 600 or 400 2) Auto aperture (AA): Available with SB-800 and CPU lens 3) Non-TTL auto (A): Available with SB-800, 28, 27 or 22s 4) Range-priority manual (GN): Available with SB-800 |
| Flash Sync Modes | 1) Front-curtain sync (normal), 2) Slow sync, 3) Rear-curtain sync, 4) Red-eye reduction, 5) Red-eye reduction with slow sync |
| Accessory Shoe | Standard ISO 518 hot-shoe contact with safety lock ISO 519 standard terminal |
| Creative Lighting System | With Speedlights such as SB-800, SB-600, SB-R200, supports Advanced Wireless Lighting, Auto FP High-Speed Sync, Flash Color Information Communication, modeling flash and FV lock |
| Self-timer | Electronically controlled timer with duration of 2, 3, 10 or 20 s |
| Depth-of-field Preview Button | When CPU lens is attached, lens aperture can be stopped down to value selected by user (A and M modes) or value selected by camera (P and S modes) |
| 10-pin Terminal | 1) GPS: NMEA 0183 (Ver. 2.01 and 3.01) interface standard supported with 9-pin D-sub cable and GPS Cable MC-35 (optional) 2) Remote control: via 10-pin terminal |
| Supported Languages | Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish |
| Power Source | One Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL4a/EL4, Quick Charger MH-22, 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 (2.7 lb.) without battery, memory card, body cap or accessory shoe cover |
| Operating Environment | Temperature: 0-40°C/32-104°F, Humidity: under 85% (no condensation) |
The Nikon D3 will be supplied in a flight case
with the following -
Please note that this list is for guidance only. We will always advise you if for any reason the equipment is to be supplied with a different number of batteries.
Where applicable, all batteries will be fully charged before dispatch, except in the event of a turnaround where the client will be advised accordingly.
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Please note that this list is for guidance only. We will always advise you if for any reason the equipment is to be supplied with a different number of batteries.
Where applicable, all batteries will be fully charged before dispatch, except in the event of a turnaround where the client will be advised accordingly.
The following accessories are available to hire with the Nikon D3 -
| Daily Hire | £76.67 (£92.00) | Weekend Hire | £130.00 (£156.00) |
| Weekly Hire | £286.67 (£344.00) | 2 Weekly Hire | £472.50 (£567.00) |
| 3 Weekly Hire | £580.83 (£697.00) | Deposit | £450.00 |
Prices shown above as Ex VAT in black (Inc VAT in red). These prices are for hire only - courier charges will apply. All equipment will be delivered by 12pm on the day before the hire period and collected the day after the hire has finished. For more details, visit our How to Hire section.
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5 Star Photo Answers Rating Die-hard landscape photographers may still demand more pixels, but that’s missing the point of the D3. It’s a phenomenal camera, with a high ISO noise performance that opens up a wealth of shooting opportunities that were simply out of reach before. It’s probably the most complete, all-round D-SLR we’ve seen, and for seasoned pros who need that extra performance then the cost will be worth it. For most of us though, the Nikon D300 will do the job. |
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Final Score 93/100 The D700 represents a new market sector for Nikon and one that is currently occupied by only one other full-frame DSLR, the Canon EOS 5D. The D700 is better in literally every department, which is understandable considering the EOS 5D is three years old. However, it may not dominate this sector for long, as rumours of a replacement for the ageing Canon appearing at the Photokina show in late September continue to circulate. Until then however, there is little doubt that this is easily the best DSLR under £2,000. In fact only the Nikon D3 offers a comparable performance. The only negative that we can throw at it at present is the price – at £2,000 it's out of the reach of many enthusiasts and we think shaving off around £250 would make it a far more attractive proposition. It's possible that the price will drop before Christmas, especially if a new rival from Canon is announced, but even if not, there is little doubting the pedigree of the Nikon D700. Quite simply, it's absolutely superb. |
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27.01.09 Review In the two weeks I had the Nikon D3, I was excited, enthused and inspired every time I used it. It made me want to take more pictures. It’s truly amazing. The D3 is my camera of the decade. |
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Review Date : 4th February 2008 - 95% There’s a lot of debate over which is better, the Nikon D3 or the Canon 1D Mk III. The Nikon does seem to have much in its favour, not least the price. While the D3 has arguably a rather conservative resolution by comparison, its performance shows that it isn’t all about the pixel count, and makes a strong case for fewer, but bigger pixels. |
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