Nikon, not content to just sit on it laurels, has released a highly anticipated follow-up to their hugely successfully and game changing professional digital SLR, the Nikon D3, with the Nikon D3s, a faster newer and higher ISO capable digital SLR and the first professional digital SLR with video.
I am very impressed with Nikon and their ability to keep up the ante. I’m still hopefully that Canon has heard Nikon (and the photographers’) message loud and clear and will give us professional photographers a solid professional digital SLR in the soon-to-be released Canon EOS 1D Mark IV. Signs are hopefully at Canon given the release of the Canon EOS 7D with many features one would not expect to see in the pro-sumer level including the ability to trigger Canon Speedlites remotely with the built-on flash (which Nikon has had for what seems like decades).
So what is the most exciting features of the new Nikon D3s besides it being new? The biggest one I see is the insane ISO range: 100-102,400! At this point, many people would argue, would there be a need for flash anymore?! Personally I still say yes, but that’s a discussion for a whole different post. It also does video at 24 fps at 720p with Stereo sound. It also features a new “crop” feature of 1.2x in addition to it’s 1.5x crop feature.
How does the new Nikon D3s compare to the Nikon D3, and is it worth upgrading? Let’s see:
| SLR Cameras | Nikon D3s | Nikon D3 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year Introduced | October 14, 2009 | August 23, 2007 | |
| Cost | $5,199.95 MSRP | ~$4,999 (as of Oct 2009) | |
| Sensor Size | 36 x 24 mm | 36 x 24 mm | same |
| Viewfinder | 100%, 0.70x magnification | 100%, 0.70x magnification | D3s, brighter VF |
| Max Resolution | 4256 x 2832 (FX), 3552 x 2368 (1.2x), 2784 x 1848 (DX) | 4256 x 2832 (FX), 2784 x 1848 (DX) | D3s |
| Megapixels | 12.1 | 12.1 | D3s, larger pixel pitch |
| ISO rating | 200-12800 in 1, 1/2, 1/3 EV steps, with 100 up to 102400 as options | 200-6400 in 1, 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps, with 100 up to 25600 as options | D3s |
| Auto Focus type | 51-point (15 cross-types) Auto-Focus sensor | 51-point (15 cross-types) Auto-Focus sensor | D3s supposedly has optimized AF |
| Metering | 3D Color Matrix Metering II, Center Weighted, Spot | 3D Color Matrix Metering II, Center Weighted, Spot | |
| Crop Factor | 1.0 (native), 1.2, 1.5 (DX) | 1.0 (native), 1.5 (DX) | D3s |
| Continuous Drive | 9 fps for 130 JPEG or 48 RAW | 9 fps for 64 JPEG or RAW | D3s |
| Storage Types | Dual Compact Flash (Type I or II) with UDMA support | Dual Compact Flash (Type I or II) with UDMA support | same |
| LCD | 3.0 inches | 3.0 inches | same |
| LCD Pixels | 922,000 | 922,000 | same |
| Video | 24 fps at 720p | None | same |
| Battery | Lithium-Ion EN-EL4a/EL4 | Lithium-Ion EN-EL4a/EL4 | same |
| Weight | 1240 g (2.12 lb) | 1300 g (45.9 oz) | D3s |
| Dimensions | 160 x 157 x 88 mm (6.3 x 6.2 x 3.4 in) | 160 x 157 x 88 mm (6.3 x 6.2 x 3.5 in) |
I definitely think it’s worth upgrading if you currently have a D3, or at least adding a D3s to your arsenal. The new features such as video, higher ISO, larger buffer, and a Quiet Mode, just to list some of the new features, will make this an amazing camera to have, especially in wedding photography.
With Nikon’s track record, the Nikon D3s will be a killer digital SLR for photojournalist, wedding photographers, and rich hobbyist. I wonder what Canon has in store… In the meantime, read Nikon’s press release for the D3s here and a brief hands-on review by DPReview here. Also be sure to check out the sample images here. Enjoy the camera porn until the camera is released:
by Richard T. Bui
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