Nikon D3

Nikon D3
Type	Digital single lens reflex camera
Sensor	36 mm × 23.9 mm CMOS, Nikon FX format
Maximum resolution	12.1 megapixels
Lens type	Interchangeable, Nikon F mount
Shutter	Electromagnetically controlled vertical travel focal plane shutter
Shutter speed range	30 to 1/8000 second and bulb
Exposure metering	TTL full aperture exposure metering system
Exposure modes	Program Auto [P], Shutter Priority Auto [S], Aperture Priority Auto [A], Manual [M]
Metering modes	3D Color Matrix Metering II, Centre Weighted, Spot
Focus areas	51 area TTL
Focus modes	Single Area AF, Dynamic AF with Focus Tracking and Lock-on, Closest Subject Priority, Group Dynamic AF
Continuous shooting	9frame/s up to 17/64 (RAW/JPEG Fine), 11frame/s for DX mode (without autofocus)
Viewfinder	Optical type fixed eye level pentaprism, 100% coverage
ASA/ISO range	ISO equivalency 200 to 6400 in 1/3, 1/2 or 1.0 EV steps, boosted: 100 to 25,600
Flash	n/a
Flash bracketing	n/a
Focus bracketing	n/a
Custom WB	Auto, Presets (5), Manual, and Color temperature in Kelvin
WB bracketing	2 to 9 frames, 10,20,30 MIRED steps
Rear LCD monitor	3 inch, 307,000 pixels (922,000 dots), VGA
Storage	2 CompactFlash (Type I or Type II)
Battery	Lithium Ion EN-EL4a
Weight	1240 g (2.7 lb)
Optional battery packs	AC adapter EH-6
Made In	Japan
Retail info

The Nikon D3 is a 12.1 megapixel professional grade full frame (35mm) digital single lens reflex camera (DSLR) announced by the Nikon Corporation on 23 August 2007 along with the Nikon D300 DX format camera. The D3, along with the Nikon D3x, is the top model in Nikon's line of DSLRs, superseding the D2Hs and D2Xs. The D3, D3X, and D700 are the only Nikon DSLRs manufactured in Japan. It is followed by the D3S.

Technology

Nikon D3

The D3 features a full frame 35mm equivalent CMOS image sensor measuring 23.9 x 36.0 mm.^[1] This sensor is larger than the DX format sensors of all previous Nikon DSLRs, and Nikon has coined the term "FX format" to describe it. The D3's sensor has larger pixels and greater light sensitivity than previous DX sensors. This allows the camera to reach higher equivalent film speeds and produce images with less noise in low light situations. Low light situations include times when the camera is operated at high shutter speed or high f number, where the lens' aperture is reduced to improve depth of field and sharpness. The sensor captures image data at 14 bits per color channel, higher than the bit depth of previous 12-bit sensors.

The camera grip and body style were designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro's Italdesign.^[2]The camera body uses the Nikon F mount, making it compatible with older Nikon lenses. Other features include 9 frames per second in FX and 11 frames in DX and a large and bright LCD screen.

Two firmware updates have been released for the D3. The latest firmware version is 2.01.^[3] In this firmware not only automatic correction of lateral chromatic aberration is standard, but even Vignetting ("Vignette control") and lens distortion ("Distortion") correction as well as image rotation ("Straighten") via playback ("Retouch") menu is possible.

Audience

The D3 is Nikon's first full frame DSLR. Full frame can either offer greater resolution or larger pixels for improved sensitivity; in the D3 Nikon opted for a lower resolution, higher sensitivity solution. For additional resolution, the D3x was introduced. Full frame sensors also maintain the traditional focal lengths and depth of field associated with 35mm camera systems. Because it is Nikon's first such camera it does not succeed or replace another camera model. Other professional grade Nikon models included the D2Xs and D2Hs.

The camera has a vertical grip in addition to the standard horizontal grip.

When Nikon announced the D3, it was priced at US$4999, but present prices are much lower.^[4] In July 2008 the D3x's larger buffer memory was offered as an upgrade to D3 owners, doubling its continuous shooting capacity. This modification represents approximately 10% of the original cost of the camera. New D3 bodies still ship with the original buffer memory; upgraded models can be identified with a "2x" label in the storage card door.

As many other Nikon film SLR (various modified Nikon F^[5], F3^[6], F4^[7], F5^[8]) and digital DSLR cameras like the Nikon NASA F4, Nikon based Kodak DCS 460, DCS 660 and DCS 760, Nikon D1, D2X and D2Xs, the D3 is used by the NASA, for example in Space Shuttle missions to the International Space Station.^[9][10][11]

Reception

Popular Photography magazine tested the camera.^[12] The website details the results of the tests, noting that the camera has excellent control of noise, and can shoot in very low light at high ISO speeds and produce very usable results.^[12] Dxomark's Sensor ranking ranks the D3 at fourth place behind two medium-format cameras and the D3X.^[13]

The Nikon D3 was tested by many independent reviewers.^[14][15][16]

Nikon D3X

The D3X is a higher resolution version of the D3 which was announced in December 2008. It features 24.5 MP, an ISO range of 50-6400, and a new image processing system. RAW files from the camera are around 25MB in size. Open files are 69.8MB.^[17]

References

See also

• Nikon D700
• Nikon D3X
• Nikon D3S

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Nikon D3

• Nikon D3 - Nikon global website
• Nikon D3 - Nikon USA website
• Nikon D3 Microsite
• Nikon D3 Review, review at Digital Photography Review