Pixalo Photographic Equipment Reviews

Home · Search · Member List · · Register

Home » Digital SLR's » Nikon Digital SLR Reviews

Nikon D3

Reviews	Views	Date of last review
2	1858	Tue July 8, 2008

Recommended By	Average Price	Average Rating
100% of reviewers	£2,775.00	10.0

supersize	supersize	supersize
supersize

Find the lowest price for the Nikon D3

Description:

Nikon’s first ever FX format (full-frame) camera enables photographers who work under extreme conditions to stay ahead of the game. The D3 features a highly sensitive 12.2 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.

KEY FEATURES

• 12.2 megapixel FX (full-frame) 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.
• Wireless LAN and Ethernet support via optional Wireless Transmitter WT-4.

SPECIFICATION

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
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

Sync Terminal
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)

Supplied Accessories*
Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL4a, Quick Charger MH-22, USB Cable UC-E4, Audio Video Cable EG-D2, Camera Strap AN-D3, Body Cap BF-1A, Accessory Shoe Cap 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-4, Magnifying Eyepiece DK-17M, AC Adapter EH-6, Camera Control Pro 2 Software, Image Authentication Software

Keywords:

Nikon DSLR D3 12MP

Author

Charlotte
Loves the place

Registered: December 2006
Location: Romsey, Hampshire
Posts: 6574

Review Date: Sat May 10, 2008

Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: £2,550.00 | Rating: 10

Pros:	Where do I begin!
Cons:	A couple of minor niggles that I'll get used to

This camera is geared toward the professional. I am an amateur. That's that out of the way

Point is, this review may interest amateurs more so than pro's (who may find it rather basic), because I do go into detail as to why I chose a pro DSLR over a mid-range DSLR, as I think this may help other amateurs in their own decision.

So why did I buy a pro' camera? Well, I was planning to upgrade from my D50 to the D300. I read Andy Rouse's review on the D300 on the Warehouse Express site. I then spotted his simultaneous review on the D3, so I had a peek, to compare the two reviews, just to see what the main differences between the two cameras are - I was aware that they had a lot of the same features, but wanted to see what the D3 had over the D300. That review and the pictures accompanying it just blew me away! The pic's were far superior to those in his D300 review. That got me thinking ... so I investigated further. After reading a few more reviews, I was basically sold on it.

Financially - I had intended buying a D300 + 70-200mm 2.8 VR lens. However, all the reviews I read agree that the D3 is very tolerant of lesser quality lenses, so I decided that if I spent the extra on a D3 then I could save some of the difference (between the D300 + D3) by not buying the expensive 70-200mm 2.8 lens, and just see how I got on with my existing lenses. I was also saving a bit of money by not having to buy a separate vertical grip (built-in on the D3). I calculated further savings by virtue of the D3's battery reportedly lasting 3x longer than the D300's, so figured that I might not have to buy a spare one (time will tell). So that was how I justified getting the D3 over the D300, financially.

Weight - The one thing that concerned me was the weight - D3 being heavier than the D300 - until it was pointed out to me that the D300 + vertical grip weighed about the same as the D3 which has a grip built in. Sweet - weight issue solved.

Now to the camera itself :

What I particularly like that the D3 has over the D50 (my first DSLR, which I will be retaining, as it's worthless in terms of cash, but still very useful to me as a second camera body):

Two separate wheels to adjust exposure - one wheel for shutter speed (use your thumb) and another wheel for aperture at the front of the camera (use your finger). This is great!! So quick to adjust exposure now, instead of fiddling with the exposure compensation button on the D50.
More controls at my fingertips (via buttons + dials), in particular: metering mode, AF mode + AF Area selection, bracketing.
Mirror Up function.
DoF preview (although this is only useful for wider apertures - too dark to see the preview with small apertures, which is of course a common problem to all cameras with this feature, not just the D3).
Vertical grip with its own shutter release button.
Large viewfinder + large LCD screen.
A LOT more options!

Pro's (in addition to those already mentioned above) :

High ISO with usable results (even better than the D300).
Being full frame (or near as dammit) you get the high IQ that goes with 35mm format.
You get FX and DX formats!!
The D3 is reportedly very tolerant of lesser quality lenses, i.e. you get excellent results from all the lenses already in your kit bag, without having to splash out on high-end glass.
Dual CF card slots, what a pleasure!
You can save custom combinations of exposure settings.

Con's (a few small ones) :

I find the dials where you have to push a release button then rotate the dial very fiddly, but I will get used to these. There are 2: The metering mode dial (which I keep losing LOL, it's in a really obscure place), and the dial that un/locks the vertical grip's shutter release button.
To me, the vertical grip is not very grippy! I would like more of a dimple, as it were, for my fingers to get a good hold of the grip.
When I use the camera in the portrait orientation, the camera strap always falls over the viewfinder, which I find annoying, as I keep having to shuffle it out of the way.
No built-in flash.
The vertical grip gets in the way when I place my supporting hand underneath while holding the camera normally (landscape orientation). It means I can't support the camera from underneath and easily reach the lens to give that support at the same time, as only my fingertips will reach the lens. So I'm having to rethink my stance to give best support to the camera + lens for a sturdy position.
I keep forgetting to switch off the shutter release button on the vertical grip, so that I hit it with the heel of my hand when I switch to the landscape orientation, + it startles me when I hear the whirr of the focusing going on 'by itself' LOL. This is of course no fault of the camera's but something new to me that I have to get used to.

Conclusion :

Yes, this camera is really overkill for amateur photographers. But I was going to upgrade anyway, so I thought "why not do it properly!" It will save me having to upgrade again in the future. Ever

I do think that using the D3 will help me to grow as a photographer + will maximise my chances of being creative with my photography. Of course it is up to me to use the camera features to the full, in order to achieve my objective - which is to be a better photographer and to (eventually) make outstanding images. Some day

And have a lot of fun trying

I've only had it for two weeks, but so far I'm loving it

Click here to Send this user a Private Message

lifethrualens
Been here a while

Registered: February 2008
Posts: 445

Review Date: Tue July 8, 2008

Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: £3,000.00 | Rating: 10

Pros:	Everything, really, in my opinion it is the finest DSLR on the planet, i really didnt think i would ever say that £3000 spent on a camera is worth the money, but it is
Cons:	honestly, none

Everything, really, in my opinion it is the finest DSLR on the planet, i really didnt think i would ever say that £3000 spent on a camera is worth the money, but it is

All times are GMT +1. The time now is 17:05.