The Nikon D3s is the update to the D3 and features 12.1MP resolution on a new FX-format (36.0 x 23.9 mm) high-sensitivity CMOS image sensor with an ISO range of 200-12,800, expandable to ISO 102,400.
Nikon has a fast and accurate 51-point AF System with 15 cross-type sensors. An expanded buffer allows continuous capture of up to 82 JPEG (Fine) or 36 14-bit NEF (RAW) images at 9fps, making the D3s an ideal full-frame digital SLR camera for sports photography.
The Nikon D3s captures movies in motion-JPEG format with HD quality (1,280 x 720 pixels) at 24 fps. High-Sensitivity Movie Mode automatically adjusts the ISO setting from ISO 6400 to ISO 102400 (equivalent), and makes possible movie recording in dark situations even beyond the capacity of the human eye. High-fidelity stereo sound recording is possible by attaching an optional external microphone.
The extra large 3.0-in. LCD has 921k-dot resolution and is protected by rugged tempered glass for superior durability. The body features magnesium alloy construction and is fully weather-sealed.
An optional Wireless Transmitter supports wireless image transmission, with up to five cameras connected at one time. Other optional accessories include a GPS Unit GP-1 and Speedlights SB-900 and SB-600.
Nikon D3s Top View
Other features include: Nikon's first Image Sensor Cleaning function for an FX-format flagship camera, Scene Recognition System, Electronic Virtual Horizon, Active D-Lighting, twin CF card slots, Quiet Shutter-release Mode, and minute improvements such as a 5-degree inclination of the Command Dials for natural rotation using your index and thumb fingers, a top control panel that is inclined 5.5-degree toward your eyes, and a redesigned AF-ON button for a more assured response.
The Nikon D3s should easily become a favorite of sports photographers who desire a full frame digital SLR camera with fast performance, advanced pro features,
and exceptional low noise capability.
12.10 Megapixels, CMOS sensor, 36.0 × 23.9 mm; Nikon FX format
File Format
NEF (RAW), TIFF (RGB), JPEG, NEF (RAW) + JPEG
Lens Mount
Nikon F mount (with AF coupling and AF contacts)
Recording Media
CompactFlash (Type I, compliant with UDMA)
Dust Reduction System
Image Sensor Cleaning, Image Dust Off reference data (optional Capture NX 2 software required)
Auto White
Balance
Auto, 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
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
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
Focusing Screen
Type B BriteView Clear Matte VI screen with AF area brackets
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
Lens
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
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
Release Modes
Single frame, Continuous low speed, Continuous high speed, Quiet shutter-release, Self-timer, Mirror lock 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
Exposure
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 (ADL)
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
Focus
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
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
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
Live View
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)
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
Interface
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 Rempte 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)
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
* Supplied accessories may differ depending on country or area
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
* Product name varies according to region, depending on local frequency channels available.
Dimensions and Weight
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
Specifications and equipment are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer.
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