Redefining professional digital photography, the groundbreaking Nikon D3 digital SLR delivers both extraordinary speed and ultra-high resolution — at up to 9 fps, with exceptional low-noise performance at up to 6400 ISO. The Nikon-original 12.1-megapixel FX-format (23.9 x 36mm) CMOS sensor, teamed with exclusive Nikon EXPEED digital image processing concept, faithfully captures incredible edge-to-edge sharpness, rich color depth, and broad tonal range for astonishing images and unparalleled pro versatility.A Nikon-original 12.1-megapixel FX-format (23.9 x 36mm) CMOS sensor, in concert with Nikon's exclusive digital image processing system, delivers breathtakingly rich image quality, while also reducing noise to unprecedented levels with even higher ISOs
Continuous shooting at up to 9 frames per second at full FX resolution and up to 11fps inthe DX Crop mode, offers uncompromised shooting speeds for fast-action and sports photography
Extreme Low-noise ISO range with Advanced Noise Reduction enables photographers to confidently select from 200-6400 ISO with an expanded range that includes Lo-1 (100 ISO)Hi-1 (12,800 ISO) and Hi-2 (25,600 ISO)
The 3.0-inch super density 920,000-dot VGA color monitor with 170-degree wide-angle viewing and tempered-glass protection makes it possible for even more critical image review
Fast, accurate 51-point autofocus with 3D Focus Tracking and three Dynamic AF modes deliver exacting autofocus precision at blazing speeds
Two LiveView shooting modes, Hand-held or Tripod, are perfect when shooting in a studio, remote situations or from challenging angles
Nikon's exclusive Scene Recognition System (SRS), with an improved 1,005-Pixel 3DColor Matrix Metering II, provides even more intelligent auto exposure capabilities, along with smarter auto white balance detection and faster, more accurate AF performance
Nikon's Self-diagnostic shutter system, tested to 300,000 cycles, is a clear indication of advanced engineering and durable construction
New Picture Control settings give photographers dramatically advanced color control with 4 preset options: Standard, Neutral, Vivid and Monochrome, as well as 9 customizable settings
Type of Camera: Single-lens reflex digital camera
Effective Pixels: 12.1 million
Image Size (pixels):
FX format (36 x 24): 4,256 x 2,832 (L), 3,184 x 2,120 (M), 2,128 x 1,416 (S) 5:4 (30 x 24): 3,552 x 2,832 (L), 2,656 x 2,120 (M), 1,776 x 1,416 (S)
DX format (24 x 16): 2,784 x 1,848 (L), 2,080 x 1,384 (M), 1,392 x 920 (S)
Image Sensor: CMOS sensor, 23.9 x 36.0 mm; total pixels: 12.87 million; Nikon FX format
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
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 percent Compressed 12/14-bit NEF (RAW, Compressed): approx. 45-60 percent JPEG: JPEG-baseline-compliant; can be selected from Size priority and Optimal quality, TIFF (RGB)
Storage Media: CompactFlash(TM) (Type I/II, compliant with UDMA); Microdrives
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 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
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
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
LCD Monitor: 3 in., approx. 920,000-dot (VGA), 170-degree wide-viewing angle, 100 percent TFT LCD with brightness adjustment
Playback Function:
1) Full frame,
2) Thumbnail (4 or 9 segments)
3) Zoom
4) Slideshow
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 rangefinder 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 cannot 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 percent (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: Autofocus TTL phase detection, 51 focus points (15 cross-type sensors) by Nikon Multi-CAM 3500FX autofocus module; Detection: -1 to +19 EV (ISO 100 at 20 degree C/68 degree 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 percent 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 percent 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 degrees C/68 degrees 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: plus or minus 5 EV in increments of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV
Exposure Lock: Exposure locked at detected value with AE-L/AF-L button
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
Shutter: Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter; 1/8,000 to 30 sec. in steps of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV; Bulb
Sync Contact: X=1/250 s; flash synchronization at up to 1/250 sec.
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) Redeye reduction with slow sync
Sync Terminal: ISO 519 standard terminal
Accessory Shoe: Standard ISO 518 hot-shoe contact with safety lock
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 sec.
10-pin Terminal:
1) GPS: NMEA 0183 (Ver. 2.01 and 3.01) interface standard supported with 9-pin D-sub cable and MC-35 GPS Cable (optional)
2) Remote control: via 10-pin terminal
Depth-of-field: 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)
Supported Languages: Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish
Power Source: One EN-EL4a/EL4 Rechargeable Li-ion Battery, MH-22 Quick Charger, EH-6 AC Adapter (optional)
Tripod Socket: 1/4 in. (ISO 1222)
Dimensions (W x H x D): 6.3 x 6.2 x 3.4 in. Approx. (159.5 x 157 x 87.5 mm)
Weight: Approx. 2.7 lb. (1,240 g) without battery, memory card, body cap or accessory shoe cover