D3

Key Features

• Nikon's original 12.1-megapixel FX-format (23.9 x 36mm) CMOS sensor: Couple Nikon's exclusive digital image processing system with the 12.1-megapixel FX-format and you'll get breathtakingly rich images 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 in the DX crop mode, the D3 offers uncompromised shooting speeds for fast-action and sports photography.
• Extreme low-noise ISO range with advanced noise reduction: This 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).
• Nikon's exclusive EXPEED Image Processing Technology: The foundation of Nikon’s newest Image Processing Systems, EXPEED incorporates the concepts, innovations and years of Nikon’s digital image processing experience, providing superior image quality with state-of-the-art technologies at blazing processing speeds.
• Selectable 12-Bit or 14-Bit A/D Conversion: The choice of selecting bit depths at 12-bit (4,096 tones) or 14-bit (16,384 tones), both yielding incredible image quality through a full 16-bit processing pipeline, enables photographers to choose smaller files at faster operating speeds, as opposed to larger files with smoother tonal gradations at slower operating speeds.
• 3.0-inch super density 921,000-dot VGA color monitor: With 170-degree, wide-angle viewing and tempered glass protection, you'll get even better critical image review capabilities.
• Fast, accurate 51-point auto focus with 3D focus tracking: Add onto that, three dynamic AF modes to deliver exacting autofocus precision at blazing speeds.
• Two Live View shooting modes: Use either hand-held or with a tripod when shooting in a studio, remote situations or from challenging angles.
• Nikon's exclusive Scene Recognition System (SRS): Improved 1,005-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II provides even more intelligent auto exposure capabilities, along with smarter auto white balance detection and faster, more accurate AF performance.
• New Picture Control settings: This gives photographers dramatically advanced color control with 4 preset options; standard, neutral, vivid and monochrome, as well as 9 customizable settings.
• Nikon's exclusive Active D-Lighting:  Image enhancement provided on the fly while shooting produces broader tone reproduction in both shadows and highlights by controlling light intensity and exposure compensation while applying localized tone control technology to achieve the right level of contrast across the entire image for sharp, detailed results.
• The World's First Virtual Horizon Graphics Indicator: The D3's super-density color LCD monitor, teamed with Nikon's innovative Electronic Virtual Horizon delivers instant and accurate confirmation of the D3's position relative to "horizon level." You can also level the D3 while looking through the viewfinder or on the top-deck LCD.
• Nikon's self-diagnostic shutter system: Tested to 300,000 cycles, this system is a clear indication of advanced engineering and durable construction.
• Comprehensive state-of-the-art dust and moisture countermeasures and electromagnetic interference: With a rugged, durable and precise magnesium-alloy chassis and body, the D3 goes beyond other D-SLRs to protect against invasive moisture, dust and even electromagnetic interference. A comprehensive series of O-rings and other specialized seals, combined with additional engineering, keeps you shooting when lesser cameras would fail.

Tech Specs

• 
  Image Sensor Format
  FX
   
• 
  Image Sensor Type
  CMOS
   
• 
  Sensor Size
  36.0 x 23.9mm
   
• 
  Total Pixels
  12.87 million
   
• 
  Effective Pixels
  12.1 million
   
• 
  Image Area (pixels)
  FX-format
  (L) 4,256 x 2,832
  (M) 3,184 x 2,120
  (S) 2,128 x 1,416
  
  5:4 format (30 x 24)
  (L) 3,552 x 2,832
  (M) 2,656 x 2,120
  (S) 1,776 x 1,416
  
  DX-format
  (L) 2,784 x 1,848
  (M) 2,080 x 1,384
  (S) 1,392 x 920
   
• 
  Top Continuous Shooting Speed at full resolution
  9 frames per second
   
• 
  Continuous Shooting Options
  FX-format
  CH: Up to 9 frames per second
  CL: Up to 8 frames per second
  5:4 format
  CH: Up to 9 frames per second
  CL: Up to 8 frames per second
  DX-format
  CH: Up to 11 frames per second
  CL: Up to 10 frames per second
   
• 
  LCD Monitor Size
  3 in. diagonal
   
• 
  LCD Monitor Type
  VGA TFT
  Super Density
   
• 
  LCD Monitor Resolution
  921,000 Dots
   
• 
  LCD Monitor Angle of View
  170-degree wide-viewing angle
   
• 
  LCD Monitor Adjustments
  Brightness, 7 levels
   
• 
  Shutter type
  Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane
   
• 
  Slowest Shutter Speed
  30 sec. in steps of 1/3
  1/2
  1 EV
   
• 
  Fastest Shutter Speed
  1/8000 sec. in steps of 1/3
  1/2
  1 EV
   
• 
  Bulb Shutter Setting
  Yes
   
• 
  Mirror Lock Up
  Yes
   
• 
  Lowest Standard ISO Sensitivity
  200 in steps of 1/3
  1/2
  1 EV
   
• 
  Highest Standard ISO Sensitivity
  6400 in steps of 1/3
  1/2
  1 EV
   
• 
  Lowest Expanded ISO Sensitivity
  Lo-1 (ISO 100 equivalent, in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV)
   
• 
  Highest Expanded ISO Sensitvity
  Hi-2 (ISO 25,600 equivalent)
  
   
• 
  Expanded ISO Sensitivity Options

  Hi-1, (ISO-12,800 equivalent), in 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV steps

  Hi-2, (ISO-25,600 equivalent), 1 EV step
  

   
• 
  Storage Media
  CompactFlash© (Type I/II, compliant with UDMA)
  MicroDrive©
   
• 
  Card Slot
  2 CompactFlash© cards
   
• 
  File Format
  Uncompressed 12/14-bit NEF (RAW)
  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)
  WAV
   
• 
  File System
  Compliant with DCF 2.0
  DPOF
  EXIF 2.21
   
• 
  Exposure Modes
  Programmed Auto (P) with flexible Program
  Shutter-Priority Auto (S)
  Aperture-Priority Auto (A)
  Manual (M)
   
• 
  Exposure Metering System
  1,005-pixel RGB sensor 3D Color Matrix Metering II
  Variable Center-weighted
  Spot AF
  Spot meter centered on selected focus point (on center focus point 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
  CPU
  AI
   
• 
  Exposure Compensation
  ±5 EV in increments of 1/3
  1/2
  1
   
• 
  Exposure Lock
  Yes
  Exposure locked at detected value with AE-L/AF-L button
   
• 
  Exposure Bracketing
  Yes
  From 2 to 9 exposures in increments of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1 EV
   
• 
  Shutter Release Modes
  Single-frame [S] mode
  Continuous low-speed [CL] mode; 1-9 frames per second
  Continuous high-speed [CH] mode; 9 frames per second (9-11 frames per second with DX format)
  Live View [LV] mode
  Self-timer mode
  Mirror-up [Mup] mode
   
• 
  White Balance
  Sun
  Shade
  Fluorescent
  Incandescent
  Flash
  Preset
  Fine Tune by Kelvin color temperature setting
   
• 
  White Balance Bracketing
  Yes, 2 to 9 exposures, in increments of 1, 2 or 3
   
• 
  Live View Shooting
  Handheld mode
  Tripod mode
   
• 
  Playback Functions
  Full frame
  Thumbnail (4, 9 or 16 segments)
  Zoom
  Slideshow
  Histogram display
  Shooting data
  Highlight point display
  Auto image rotation
  Voice Memo
   
• 
  Interface
  Hi-speed USB
  NTSC
  PAL
  HDMI
  10-pin Terminal
   
• 
  Lens Mount
  Nikon F bayonet mount
   
• 
  Compatible Lenses

  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

   
• 
  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
   
• 
  Viewfinder Frame Coverage
  Approx. 100%
   
• 
  Viewfinder Eyepoint
  18 mm (-1.0 m^-1)
   
• 
  Reflex Mirror
  Quick-return type
   
• 
  Focusing Screen
  
  BriteView Clear Matte VI - Type B
   
• 
  Interchangeable Focusing Screens
  Yes
  BriteView Clear Matte VI - Type B Clear Matte VI - Type E
   
• 
  Viewfinder Magnification
  Approx. 0.7x (50mm f/1.4 lens at infinity; -1.0m^-1)
   
• 
  Lens Aperture
  Instant-return type with depth-of-field preview button
   
• 
  Depth-of-field Control
  Yes
   
• 
  Autofocus System
  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°C/68°F); AF fine adjustment possible. Focal-plane contrast [in LiveView (Tripod) mode]
   
• 
  Maximum Autofocus Areas/Points
  51
   
• 
  Autofocus Fine Tune
  Yes
   
• 
  Focus Modes
  Single-servo AF (S)
  Continuous-servo (C)
  Manual
   
• 
  Single-point AF Mode
  Yes
   
• 
  Dynamic AF Mode
  Yes
  Number of AF points: 9, 21, 51 and 51 (3D-tracking)
   
• 
  Auto-area AF Mode
  Yes
   
• 
  Focus Lock
  AE-L/AF-L button
  Half press of shutter-release button (single-point AF in AF-S)
   
• 
  Picture Control
  Standard
  Neutral
  Vivid
  Monochrome
  Nine User-customizable Settings
   
• 
  In-Camera Image Editing
  Trim
  D-Lighting
  Color Balance
  Image Overlay
  Side-by-Side Comparison
  Filter Effects
  Monochrome
  Red-eye correction
   
• 
  Built-in Flash
  No
   
• 
  Dust-Off Reference Photo
  Yes
   
• 
  Virtual Horizon Camera Indicator
  Yes
   
• 
  Save/Load Camera settings
  Yes
   
• 
  Nikon Creative Lighting System Compatibility
  Yes
   
• 
  Flash Sync Speed
  Up to 1/250
   
• 
  X-Sync Speed
  1/250
   
• 
  FP High Speed Sync
  Up to 1/8000
   
• 
  Flash Sync Modes
  Front-curtain sync (normal)
  Slow sync
  Rear-curtain sync
  Red-eye reduction
  Red-eye reduction with slow sync
   
• 
  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-900, SB-800, SB-600 or SB-400
  2) Auto aperture (AA): Available with SB,900, SB-800 and CPU lens
  3) Non-TTL auto (A): Available with SB-900, SB-800, SB-28, SB-27 or SB-22s
  4) Range-priority manual (GN): Available with SB-900 and SB-800
   
• 
  Flash Sync Terminal
  Yes
   
• 
  Accessory Shoe
  Yes
   
• 
  Self-timer
  Electronically controlled timer with duration of 2, 5, 10 or 20 sec.
   
• 
  World Time Setting
  Yes
   
• 
  Date, Time and Daylight Savings Time Settings
  Yes
   
• 
  Battery Type
  Rechargeable
   
• 
  Battery / Batteries
  EN-EL4a Lithium-ion Battery
  EN-EL4 Lithium-ion Battery
   
• 
  AC Adaptor
  EH-6 AC Adapter
   
• 
  Battery Charger
  MH-21 Quick Charger
  MH-22 Quick Charger
   
• 
  Image Comment
  Yes
  Up to 36 characters
   
• 
  Voice Memo Function
  Yes
   
• 
  Battery Life (shots per charge)
  4,300 shots (CIPA)
  4,700 shots (Nikon Standard)
   
• 
  Tripod Socket
  ¼ inch 20
   
• 
  Approx. Dimensions
  Width 6.3 in. (159.5mm)
  Height 6.2 in. (157mm)
  Depth 3.4 in. (87.5mm)
  
   
• 
  Approx. Weight
  43.7 oz. (1,240g)
   
• 
  Supported Languages
  Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish
   
• 
  Supplied Software
  Software Suite CD-ROM
   
• 
  Optional Accessories
  WT-4a Wireless Transmitter, DK-17M Magnifying Eyepiece, EH-6 AC Adapter, Capture NX Software, Camera Control Pro 2 Software, Image Authentication Software
   
• 
  Supplied Accessories
  • EN-EL4a Rechargeable Li-ion Battery
  • MH-22 Quick Charger
  • UC-E4 USB Cable
  • EG-D2 Audio Video Cable
  • AN-D3 Camera Strap
  • BF-1A Body Cap
  • BS-2 Accessory Shoe Cap
  • DK-17 Eyepiece
  • BL-4 Battery Chamber Cover
  • USB Cable Clip
  • Software Suite CD-ROM

  *Supplied accessories may differ depending on country or area.
   

Specifications and equipment are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer.