Nikon D3, Full-Frame
The professional Nikon D 'single digit' series of digital SLR's started life back in June 1999 with the groundbreaking D1. Groundbreaking because it was the digital SLR which broke Kodak's stranglehold on the digital SLR market and fundamentally brought prices down to a level which most professionals could afford (around the US$5,500 mark). Since then we have seen a steady progression of this line of cameras, while the core values of a high quality full size body with integrated grip have remained the line split into two halves, one targeted at high resolution photography the other high speed sports type photography (lower resolution but faster continuous shooting); the X and H suffixes. It's been almost three years since Nikon introduced a completely new digital SLR with a new sensor (the D2X) and there has been much anticipation that Nikon's next move would be a full-frame chip.
This predictions have come true with the introduction of the 'FX format' (new moniker created by Nikon) D3 which features a 36 x 23.9 mm 12.1 megapixel CMOS sensor as well as a vast array of new features which absolutely raise it another notch above previous single digit Nikon DSLRs. Important headline improvements include high sensitivity support by default, up to ISO 6400 with 25600 available as a boost option, 14-bit A/D conversion, a new standard image processor, a new shutter, new auto focus sensor, focus tracking by color, nine frames per second continuous, dual compact flash support, DX lens support (albeit at lower resolution) and a 3.0" 922,000 pixel LCD monitor (which it has to be said is lovely).
Some will undoubtedly question Nikon for 'only' delivering twelve megapixels on their first full frame digital SLR, all we can presume by looking at past model line history is that this camera is designed for speed (both in sensitivity, auto-focus and continuous shooting).
Model line history
| Model | Announced | Effective pixels | Auto focus | Continuous highest (JPEG) | LCD monitor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D1 | Jun 1999 | 2.6 mp | 5 point | 4.5 fps, 21 frames | 2.0", 120K pixels |
| D1X | Feb 2001 | 5.3 mp | 5 point | 3.0 fps, 9 frames | 2.0", 130K pixels |
| D1H | Feb 2001 | 2.7 mp | 5 point | 5.0 fps, 40 frames | 2.0", 130K pixels |
| D2H | Jul 2003 | 4.1 mp | 11 point | 8.0 fps, 40 frames | 2.5", 211K pixels |
| D2X | Sep 2004 | 12.2 mp | 11 point | 5.0 fps, 22 frames *1 | 2.5" 235K pixels |
| D2Hs | Feb 2005 | 4.1 mp | 11 point | 8.0 fps, 50 frames | 2.5" 235K pixels |
| D2Xs | Jun 2006 | 12.2 mp | 11 point | 5.0 fps, 22 frames *1 | 2.5" 230K pixels |
| D3 | Aug 2007 | 12.1 mp (FF) | 51 point | 9.0 fps, 64 frames *2 | 3.0" 922K pixels + Live View |
*1 Also 8 fps in cropped mode (6.7 MP)
*2 Up to 11 fps with DX format (5.1 MP)
Nikon D3 Key Features
- First ever Nikon DSLR with a Full-Frame (36 x 24 mm) sensor (coined FX format)
- 12.1 megapixel full-frame sensor (8.45µm pixel pitch)
- ISO 200 - 6400 (with boost up to ISO 25,600)
- Also supports DX lenses, viewfinder automatically masks (5.1 megapixels with DX lens)
- 5:4 ratio crop mode (10 megapixels, up to 9 fps, viewfinder masked)
- 14-bit A/D conversion, 12 channel readout
- Nikon EXPEED image processor (Capture NX processing and NR algorithms, lower power)
- Super fast operation (power-up 12 ms, shutter lag 41 ms, black-out 74 ms)
- New Kevlar / carbon fibre composite shutter with 300,000 exposure durability
- New Multi-CAM3500FX Auto Focus sensor (51-point, 15 cross-type, more vertical coverage)
- Auto-focus tracking by color (using information from 1005-pixel AE sensor)
- Auto-focus calibration (fine-tuning) now available (fixed body or up to 20 separate lens settings)
- Scene Recognition System (uses AE sensor, AF sensor)
- Picture Control image parameter presets (replace Color Modes I, II and III)
- Custom image parameters now support brightness as well as contrast
- Nine frames per second continuous with auto-focus tracking
- Eleven frames per second continuous without auto-focus tracking
- Ten / eleven frames per second continuous in DX-crop mode (AF / no-AF)
- Dual Compact Flash card slots (overflow, back-up, RAW on 1 / JPEG on 2, copy)
- Compact Flash UDMA support
- 3.0" 922,000 pixel LCD monitor
- Live View with either phase detect (mirror up/down) or contrast detect Auto Focus
- Virtual horizon indicates if camera is level (like an aircraft cockpit display)
- HDMI HD video output
- 'Active D-Lighting' (adjusts metering as well as applying D-Lighting curve)
- Detailed 'Control Panel' type display on LCD monitor, changes color in darkness
- New MB-D10 vertical grip fully integrates into body, multi battery type compatible
- Buttons sealed against moisture
- Dual battery charger as standard
- Available November 2007
Nikon D3 specifications
| Price (body only) | • US: $ 4999 • UK: £ 3399 • EU: € 5180 |
|---|---|
| Body material | Magnesium alloy |
| Sensor | • 36 x 23.9 mm CMOS sensor • FX format • RGB Color Filter Array • Built-in fixed low-pass filter • 12.9 million total pixels • 12.1 million effective pixels • 3:2 aspect ratio |
| Image processor | Nikon EXPEED |
| A/D conversion | 14 bit |
| Image sizes (FX format) | • 4256 x 2832 [L; 12.1 MP] • 3184 x 2120 [M; 6.8 MP] • 2128 x 1416 [S; 3.0 MP] |
| Image sizes (DX format) | • 2784 x 1848 [L; 5.1 MP] • 2080 x 1384 [M; 2.9 MP] • 1392 x 920 [S; 1.3 MP]] |
| Image sizes (5:4 format) | • 3552 x 2832 [L; 10.0 MP] • 2656 x 2120 [M; 5.6 MP] • 1776 x 1416 [S; 2.5 MP] |
| File formats | • NEF (12-bit or 14-bit, compressed or lossless compressed RAW) • NEF + JPEG • TIFF • JPEG (EXIF 2.21) |
| NEF compression | • Compressed 12/14-bit NEF (RAW, Lossless compressed): approx. 60-80% • Compressed 12/14-bit NEF (RAW, Compressed): approx. 45-60% |
| Lens mount | • Nikon F mount with AF coupling and AF contacts • No field of view crop (full-frame) • When using DX lenses / DX mode 1.5x FOV crop |
| Usable lenses | • Type G or D AF NIKKOR: All functions supported |
| Auto Focus | • 51 focus points (15 cross-type sensors) • Multi-CAM 3500FX • AF working range: -1 to +19 EV (ISO 100, normal temperature) • Contrast Detect in Live View (Tripod) mode |
| Lens Servo | • Single Servo AF [S] • Continuous Servo AF [C] • Manual focus [M] • Focus Tracking automatically activated by subject's status in [S] or [C] AF |
| Focus Point | • Single point from 51 or 11 focus points • Liveview (Tripod mode): Contrast AF on a desired point anywhere within frame |
| AF Area Mode | • Single point AF |
| Focus Lock | Focus can be locked by pressing shutter-release button halfway (single-servo AF) or by pressing AE-L/AF-L button |
| AF assist | External Speedlite only |
| Exposure modes | • Program Auto [P] with flexible program • Shutter-Priority Auto [S] • Aperture-Priority Auto [A] • Manual [M] |
| Metering | TTL full-aperture exposure metering using 1005-pixel RGB sensor |
| Metering range | • 3D Color Matrix Metering: 0 to 20 EV • Center-Weighted Metering: 0 to 20 EV • Spot Metering: 2 to 20 EV • At normal temperature (20°C/68°F), ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens |
| Meter coupling | CPU and AI |
| Exposure lock | Locked using AE-L/AF-L button |
| Exposure bracketing | • 2 to 9 frames |
| Exposure compen. | • +/-5.0 EV • 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV steps |
| Sensitivity | • Default: ISO 200 - 6400 in 1/3, 1/2 or 1.0 EV steps |
| Shutter | • Electronically-controlled vertical-travel focal plane shutter • 30 to 1/8000 sec (1/3, 1/2 or 1.0 EV steps) • Flash X-Sync: 1/250 sec • Bulb |
| DOF Preview | • Stop-down lens aperture by pressing button • Activates modelling flash |
| White balance | • Auto (1005-pixel CCD, image sensor) • Presets (seven) with fine tuning • Manual presets (four) • Color temperature in Kelvin (2500 - 10000 K, 31 steps) • White balance bracketing (2 to 9 frames, 10,20,30 MIRED steps) |
| Picture Control | • Standard • Neutral • Vivid • Monochrome |
| Image parameters | • Sharpening: Auto, 7 levels • Contrast: Auto, 5 levels, Custom tone curve • Brightness: 3 levels • Saturation: Auto, 5 levels • Hue: 5 levels |
| Color space | • sRGB (Standard and Vivid modes) • Adobe RGB (Neutral mode) |
| Viewfinder | • Optical-type fixed eye-level pentaprism • Built-in diopter adjustment (-3 to +1m-1) • Eyepoint: 18 mm (at -1.0m-1) • Focusing screen: Type B BriteView Clear Matte VI screen • Frame coverage 100% • Viewfinder magnification approx 0.7x with 50 mm f/1.4 lens |
| Focusing screen | • B-type BrightView Clear Matte Screen II • Superimposed focus brackets • On-demand grid lines |
| LCD monitor | • 3.0 " TFT LCD • 922,000 pixels • 170° viewing angle • Brightness adjustment |
| LCD Liveview | • Handheld mode: TLL phase-difference AF with 51 focus areas (15 cross-type sensors) |
| Shooting modes | • Single frame • Continuous Low [CL]: 1 - 9 fps • Continuous High [CH]: 9 fps (9 - 11 fps with DX format) • Liveview [LV] • Self-Timer (programmable) • Mirror-up mode |
| Continuous buffer | • JPEG Large/Normal: 64 shots (at 9 fps) • RAW: no data yet |
| Self-timer | • 2 to 20 sec custom |
| Flash control | •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 |
| Flash Sync Mode | • Front-curtain Sync (normal) • Red-Eye Reduction • Red-Eye Reduction with Slow Sync • Slow Sync • Rear-curtain Sync |
| Flash Accessory Shoe | ISO 518 standard-type hot shoe contact; Safety lock mechanism provided |
| Flash Sync Terminal | ISO 519 standard terminal, lock screw provided |
| Flash compensation | • -3 to +1 EV • 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV steps |
| Creative Lighting System | With Speedlights such as SB-800, SB-600, SB-400, SB-R200, supports Advanced Wireless Lighting, Auto FP High-Speed Sync, Flash Color Information Communication, modeling flash and FV lock |
| Orientation sensor | Tags images with camera orientation |
| Playback mode | • Full frame • Thumbnail (4 or 9 images) • One-touch zoom • Slideshow • RGB histogram • Shooting data • Highlight point • Auto image rotation |
| Languages | • Chinese (Simplified and Traditional) |
| Custom functions | ? custom functions |
| Connectivity | • USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed) Mini-B connector |
| 10-pin terminal | • GPS: NMEA 0183 (Ver. 2.01 and 3.01) interface standard supported with 9-pin D-sub cable and GPS Cable MC-35 (optional) |
| Communications | FTP and PTP/IP file transfer with optional Wireless Transmitter WT-3 (IEEE 802.11 b/g) |
| Storage | • Dual Compact Flash Type I or II |
| Power | • Lithium-Ion EN-EL4a/EL4 • Included dual battery charger MH-22 • Optional AC adapter EH-6 |
| Battery monitoring | The LCD monitor on the camera back displays the following information about the battery: • Remaining charge (%) • No. of shots taken since last charge • Battery life (5 stages) |
| Dimensions | 160 x 157 x 88 mm (6.3 x 6.2 x 3.4 in) |
| Weight (no batt) | 1240 g (2.7 lb) |
| Operating environment | Temperature: 0 - 40 °C / 32 - 104 °F, Humidity: under 85% (no condensation) |
| Box contents | 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 |
| Optional accessories | Wireless Transmitter WT-4, Magnifying Eyepiece DK-17M, AC Adapter EH-6, Capture NX Software, Camera Control Pro 2 Software, Image Authentication Software |
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