The Nikon D3S is a 12.1-megapixel professional-grade full frame (

35mm 35 mm may refer to: * 135 film, a type of still photography format commonly referred to as 35 mm film * 35 mm movie film 35 mm film is a film gauge used in filmmaking, and the film standard. In motion pictures that record on fi ...

)

digital single-lens reflex camera A digital single-lens reflex camera (digital SLR or DSLR) is a digital camera that combines the optics and the mechanisms of a single-lens reflex camera with a digital imaging sensor. The reflex design scheme is the primary difference between ...

(

DSLR A digital single-lens reflex camera (digital SLR or DSLR) is a digital camera that combines the optics and the mechanisms of a single-lens reflex camera with a digital imaging sensor. The reflex design scheme is the primary difference between a ...

) announced by

Nikon Corporation (, ; ), also known just as Nikon, is a Japanese multinational corporation headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, specializing in optics and imaging products. The companies held by Nikon form the Nikon Group. Nikon's products include cameras, cam ...

on 14 October 2009. The D3S is the fourth camera in Nikon's line to feature a full-frame sensor, following the D3, D700 and D3X. It is also Nikon's first full-frame camera to feature HD (720p/30) video recording. While it retains the same number of pixels as its predecessor, the imaging sensor has been completely redesigned. Nikon claims improved ultra-high image sensor sensitivity with up to ISO 102400, HD movie capability for extremely low-lit situations, image sensor cleaning, optimized workflow speed, improved autofocus and metering, enhanced built-in RAW processor, quiet shutter-release mode, up to 4,200 frames per battery charge and other changes compared with the D3. It was replaced by the D4 as Nikon's high speed flagship DSLR.

Features

*Full-frame (36 mm × 24 mm) 12.1

megapixel In digital imaging, a pixel (abbreviated px), pel, or picture element is the smallest addressable element in a raster image, or the smallest point in an all points addressable display device. In most digital display devices, pixels are the ...

sensor with ISO 200–12800 (ISO 100–102400 Boost) using reworked gapless microlenses *14-bit A/D conversion, 12 channel readout *Image sensor cleaning (dust removal with 4 frequencies) *Nine to eleven frames per second in continuous and FX/DX mode *Quiet shutter-release mode *Faster operation workflow *Automatic correction of lateral

chromatic aberration In optics, chromatic aberration (CA), also called chromatic distortion and spherochromatism, is a failure of a lens to focus all colors to the same point. It is caused by dispersion: the refractive index of the lens elements varies with the w ...

for

JPEG JPEG ( ) is a commonly used method of lossy compression for digital images, particularly for those images produced by digital photography. The degree of compression can be adjusted, allowing a selectable tradeoff between storage size and imag ...

s. Correction-data is additionally stored in RAW-files and used by Nikon

Capture NX Capture NX is a photo editing computer program developed by Nik Software in partnership with Nikon for macOS and Microsoft Windows. In September 2012, Google acquired Nik Software, but Capture NX has remained a Nikon software and is advertis ...

, View NX and some other RAW tools. *Larger buffer for 48 RAW frames in one burst *Enhanced built-in RAW processing with extended Retouch menu for image processing without using a computer *720p/24 frames HD movie mode for extremely low-lit situations, 50/60 Hz flicker reduction,

HDMI High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is a proprietary audio/video interface for transmitting uncompressed video data and compressed or uncompressed digital audio data from an HDMI-compliant source device, such as a display controlle ...

HD video output and

stereo Stereophonic sound, or more commonly stereo, is a method of sound reproduction that recreates a multi-directional, 3-dimensional audible perspective. This is usually achieved by using two independent audio channels through a configuration ...

input (3.5-mm diameter) with optional manual sound level control. The

Motion JPEG Motion JPEG (M-JPEG or MJPEG) is a video compression format in which each video frame or interlaced field of a digital video sequence is compressed separately as a JPEG image. Originally developed for multimedia PC applications, Motion JPEG ...

compression allows easy extraction of single frames afterwards as

*Supports DX lenses (5.1 megapixels), viewfinder automatically masks. Newly added 1.2x crop factor *Multi-CAM3500FX Auto-focus sensor (51-point, 15 cross-type, more vertical coverage) with improved acquisition and tracking and Auto-focus calibration for up to 20 separate lens settings *1005-pixel AE sensor enables Auto-focus tracking by color, highlight analysis and Scene Recognition System *Kevlar/carbon fibre composite shutter with a rating of 300,000 actuations *Live View with either phase detect or improved contrast detect Auto Focus *Virtual horizon indicates in Live View mode, also available during video capture *"Active D-Lighting" with six settings and bracketing (adjusts metering and D-Lighting curve) *Dual Compact Flash UDMA card slots (mirror, overflow, back-up, RAW on 1/JPEG on 2, Stills on 1/Movies on 2, copy) * Expeed 2 image processor with power management for up to 4,200 frames per battery charge *Dual battery charger as standard *Fully weather sealing with series of O-rings and other specialized seals available *GPS interface for direct geotagging, supported by

Nikon GP-1 The Nikon GP-1 is a Global Positioning System (GPS) accessory receiver manufactured by Nikon that collects geographic coordinate data and places it into the Exif data of a picture. It connects to the camera via a proprietary cable and can be moun ...

Reception

Many independent reviews and comparisons show that

image noise Image noise is random variation of brightness or color information in images, and is usually an aspect of electronic noise. It can be produced by the image sensor and circuitry of a scanner or digital camera. Image noise can also originate in ...

was improved up to 2 stops compared to the Nikon D3 or D700. Other functions, especially autofocus and speed, support this, causing PhotographyBlog to conclude: "hand-held photography anytime, anywhere, without flash". There are comparisons with the

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV The EOS-1D Mark IV is a professional 16.1 effective megapixels digital single lens reflex camera (DSLR) camera body produced by Canon. The EOS-1D Mark IV is the successor of the Canon EOS-1D Mark III and was announced on 20 October 2009, just ...

, which is rated 1.3 stops lower by DxOMark on their low-light ISO score (1320 ISO vs. 3253 ISO for the D3s). Low-noise videos are valuated useful. While not officially documented in user's manual, D3s indeed features the full manual control in D-Movie mode, including aperture, shutter speed and ISO. This feature was reported and posted by various users and eventually confirmed officially. On 21 December 2009, Nikon announced that

NASA The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA ) is an independent agency of the US federal government responsible for the civil space program, aeronautics research, and space research. NASA was established in 1958, succeedin ...

had purchased 11 D3s bodies and assorted lenses for use in the United States space program, including on the

International Space Station The International Space Station (ISS) is the largest Modular design, modular space station currently in low Earth orbit. It is a multinational collaborative project involving five participating space agencies: NASA (United States), Roscosmos ( ...

. The D3s cameras are identical to the model sold to terrestrial users and will be used unmodified. In April 2010, the D3S received a Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) 2010 Award in the category of "Best Digital SLR Professional". In August 2010, the

European Imaging and Sound Association Expert Imaging and Sound Association is a collaboration between different multimedia magazines, that offer tests of cameras, videocameras, audio equipment, mobile phone A mobile phone, cellular phone, cell phone, cellphone, handphone, hand p ...

(EISA) presented the D3S with the European Professional Camera 2010-2011 award, citing high ISO sensitivity combined with low noise and a high level of detail.

References

External links

Nikon D3S global product page
at Nikon.com {{Full-frame DSLR cameras

D3S The Nikon D3S is a 12.1-megapixel professional-grade Full frame digital SLR, full frame (135 film, 35mm) digital single-lens reflex camera (DSLR) announced by Nikon Corporation on 14 October 2009. The D3S is the fourth camera in Nikon's line to ...

Live-preview digital cameras Cameras introduced in 2009 Full-frame DSLR cameras ja:ニコンのデジタル一眼レフカメラ製品一覧#ニコンD1桁シリーズ