D3S | D3X - Flagship Reliability

Image Sensor Cleaning

Dust that reaches the image sensor can result in unattractive spots on your images. After relentless testing, Nikon engineers have designed Nikon’s first Image Sensor Cleaning function for an FX-format flagship camera. The unit generates vibrations at four specific frequencies to optimize dust removal. This function can be set to operate manually, or to run automatically when the camera is turned on and off.

Moreover, Nikon takes extra measures to prevent dust with its Integrated Dust Reduction System. Numerous parts are built to generate minimal dust, while other components have been designed to either repel dust or prevent it from reaching the Optical Low Pass Filter and sensor.

Nikon Integrated Dust Reduction System

[Minimal dust is generated]

Drive mechanisms such as shutter unit are designed to minimize dust generation
Certain parts are operated prior to body assembly so as not to disperse dust after mounting within the camera

[Minimal dust adheres to OLPF]

OLPF has an antistatic design to prevent dust sticking
Dust absorption mechanism around OLPF
Rear side of the image sensor is sealed to prevent dust

[Dust is minimally reflected in images]

Sufficient distance between OLPF and the CMOS image sensor prevents dust being photographed

[Reducing the effects of dust and foreign matter]

Image Dust Off function of the optional photo editing software Capture NX 2 effectively eliminates the effect caused by dust when using a computer (for RAW data only)
Auto Retouch Brush of the optional photo editing software Capture NX 2 removes dust photographed on an image

Viewfinder

Approx. 100% frame coverage

The large prisms of the D3S and D3X give you the FX-format visual advantage when you shoot. Both have approx. 100% frame coverage, so what you see through the viewfinder is a precise perspective of the visual information that the image sensor will detect when you press the shutter release button. Not only is the viewfinder image bright — the screen is also carefully designed for you to sense focus intuitively, be it manual or autofocus. It ensures that a photographer can view everything, including shooting information, without moving his or her eye away. The viewfinder also features an 18mm (-1.0m^-1) eyepoint, so photographers who wear glasses can concentrate on capturing the right moment.

Viewfinder display (full display, D3S)

Durability — Designed to work in the toughest conditions

Magnesium Alloy Body

Nikon’s rugged, durable and precise magnesium alloy construction protects the incomparable technologies of the D3S and D3X and their ability to perform in demanding real-world conditions. An amazingly strong-yet-lightweight magnesium alloy is used for the body, exterior cover, chassis and mirror box to assure superb, reliable performance and longer life.

Magnesium alloy body (D3S)

Countermeasures against dust, moisture and electromagnetic interference

The D3S and D3X go the extra mile to protect against invasive moisture, dust and even electromagnetic interference. A comprehensive series of O-rings and other specialized seals, combined with additional Nikon engineering, keeps you shooting when lesser cameras would fail.

Comprehensive sealing (D3S)

Shutter Unit

Durable Shutter Unit

Nikon’s proprietary shutter mechanism achieves unprecedented durability. For the reliability professionals demand, the shutter of the D3S and D3X has been tested for 300,000 cycles. And to ensure rigorous real-world conditions, this type of testing is always performed on fully assembled cameras.

Shutter unit (D3S)

Self-Diagnostic Shutter Monitor

Shutter speeds range from 1/8,000 to 30 s, with an internal mechanism that automatically monitors and corrects possible variances between the designated shutter speed and the actual shutter timing over the shutter mechanism’s life span.

Shutter unit detail (D3S)

Mirror Balancer

A sophisticated mirror balance mechanism reduces the time required to lower the mirror. In addition to minimizing mirror bounce, the mirror balancer extends viewing time, which allows more time for AF operation — this is one reason the D3S and D3X can offer autofocus and Focus Tracking even at high-speed continuous shooting.

Twin CF card slots

You can use two CF cards simultaneously for a number of functions: recording two full CF cards of data; recording the same data simultaneously onto two cards for backup protection; transferring data from one card to another; or for recording RAW and JPEG simultaneously onto separate cards. With the D3S, you can also designate the card slot to record D-Movie capture. Just confirm the available time for D-Movie recording for each card slot through the menu. By selecting the card slot with the most space, you can avoid D-Movie recording ending unexpectedly due to a shortage of card space. Data capacity this large and versatile allows photographers to concentrate on shooting without worrying about their storage space, further aiding their workflow efficiency.

Memory card capacity

D3S D3X

FX : FX (36×24) Image Area*

DX : DX (24×16) Image Area*

Image quality	Image size	File size¹		No. of images¹		Buffer capacity²
Image quality	Image size	FX	DX	FX	DX	FX	DX
NEF (RAW), Lossless compressed, 12-bit	¯	11.3 MB	5.2 MB	202	460	42	62
NEF (RAW), Lossless compressed, 14-bit	¯	14.3 MB	6.4 MB	155	356	36	54
NEF (RAW), Compressed, 12-bit	¯	10.1 MB	4.5 MB	277	626	43	78
NEF (RAW), Compressed, 14-bit	¯	12.6 MB	5.6 MB	229	522	36	59
NEF (RAW), Uncompressed, 12-bit	¯	19.1 MB	8.3 MB	202	460	38	58
NEF (RAW), Uncompressed, 14-bit	¯	24.9 MB	10.8 MB	155	356	35	52
TIFF (RGB)	L	36.1 MB	15.5 MB	107	249	36	46
	M	20.3 MB	8.7 MB	191	441	42	57
	S	9.1 MB	4.0 MB	423	964	59	95
JPEG fine³	L	5.9 MB	2.5 MB	559	1.2 K	82	130
	M	3.3 MB	1.4 MB	995	2.2 K	130	130
	S	1.5 MB	0.7 MB	2.1 K	4.8 K	130	130
JPEG normal³	L	2.9 MB	1.3 MB	1.0 K	2.5 K	122	130
	M	1.7 MB	0.7 MB	1.9 K	4.1 K	130	130
	S	0.8 MB	0.4 MB	4.1 K	8.9 K	130	130
JPEG basic³	L	1.5 MB	0.7 MB	2.1 K	4.8 K	124	130
	M	0.9 MB	0.4 MB	3.6 K	7.8 K	130	130
	S	0.4 MB	0.2 MB	7.8 K	15.6 K	130	130

* Includes images taken with non-DX lenses when on is selected for Auto DX crop.

All figures are approximate. File size varies with scene recorded.
Maximum number of exposures that can be stored in memory buffer at ISO 200. Drops if Optimal quality is selected for JPEG compression, ISO sensitivity is set to Hi 0.3 or higher, High ISO NR is on when auto ISO sensitivity control is on or ISO sensitivity is over ISO 3200, or long exposure noise reduction, Active D-Lighting, or image authentication is on.
Figures assume JPEG compression is set to Size priority. Selecting optimal quality increases the file size of JPEG images; number of images and buffer capacity drop accordingly.

Image quality	Image size	File size¹		No. of images¹		Buffer capacity²
Image quality	Image size	FX	DX	FX	DX	FX	DX
NEF (RAW), Lossless compressed, 12-bit	¯	27.6 MB	12.1 MB	100	229	24	32
NEF (RAW), Lossless compressed, 14-bit	¯	35.6 MB	15.5 MB	77	176	28	52
NEF (RAW), Compressed, 12-bit	¯	23.0 MB	10.1 MB	137	313	26	38
NEF (RAW), Compressed, 14-bit	¯	29.4 MB	12.9 MB	114	260	34	83
NEF (RAW), Uncompressed, 12-bit	¯	38.9 MB	17.0 MB	100	229	22	29
NEF (RAW), Uncompressed, 14-bit	¯	50.6 MB	22.1 MB	77	176	21	32
TIFF (RGB)	L	73.5 MB	31.7 MB	53	123	22	24
	M	41.5 MB	17.9 MB	94	218	23	29
	S	18.6 MB	8.1 MB	210	484	30	40
JPEG fine³	L	14.1 MB	6.1 MB	277	644	44	76
	M	7.9 MB	3.4 MB	491	1.1 K	78	130
	S	3.6 MB	1.6 MB	1.0 K	2.4 K	80	130
JPEG normal³	L	7.1 MB	3.1 MB	552	1.2 K	61	130
	M	4.0 MB	1.8 MB	976	2.2 K	80	130
	S	1.8 MB	0.8 MB	2.1 K	4.8 K	83	130
JPEG basic³	L	3.6 MB	1.6 MB	1.0 K	2.4 K	69	130
	M	2.1 MB	0.9 MB	1.8 K	4.1 K	82	130
	S	0.9 MB	0.4 MB	4.1 K	8.9 K	83	130

* Includes images taken with non-DX lenses when on is selected for Auto DX crop.

All figures are approximate. File size varies with scene recorded.
Maximum number of exposures that can be stored in memory buffer at ISO 100. Drops if [Optimal quality] is selected for [JPEG compression], ISO sensitivity is set to P or higher, [High ISO NR] is on when auto ISO sensitivity control is on or ISO sensitivity is set to 500 or higher, or long exposure noise reduction, active D-Lighting or image authentication is on.
Figures assume JPEG compression is set to Size priority. Selecting optimal quality increases the file size of JPEG images; number of images and buffer capacity drop accordingly.

Approved memory cards

The following Type I CompactFlash memory cards have been tested and approved for use in the D3S. Type II cards and microdrives cannot be used.

D3S D3X

SanDisk	Extreme IV	SDCFX4	2GB, 4GB, 8GB, 16GB
	Extreme III	SDCFX3	1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB, 16GB
	Ultra II	SDCFH	1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB
	Standard	SDCFB	1GB, 2GB, 4GB
Lexar Media	Professional UDMA	300 X	2GB, 4GB, 8G
	Professional	233 X	2GB, 4GB, 8G
	Professional	133 X	1GB, 2GB, 4GB
	Platinum II	80 X	1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB, 16GB
	Platinum II	60 X	4GB

SanDisk	Extreme IV	SDCFX4	2GB, 4GB, 8GB
	Extreme III	SDCFX3	1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB
	Ultra II	SDCFH	1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB
	Standard	SDCFB	1GB, 2GB, 4GB
Lexar Media	Professional UDMA	300 X	2GB, 4GB, 8GB
	Professional	133 × WA	1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB
	Professional	80 × Lt	512MB, 2GB
	Platinum II	80 X	512MB, 1GB, 2GB
	Platinum II	60 X	4GB
Microdrive	DSCM-11000		1GB
	3K4-2		2GB
	3K4-4		4GB
	3K6		6GB

Long Battery Life

The D3S and D3X use the same EN-EL4a (provided) or EN-EL4 rechargeable batteries whose capacity and reliability have been field-proven over the years. What’s more, because the power consumption and power management systems of the D3S and D3X have been engineered for greater operating efficiency, professionals can expect exceptional battery life: up to approx. 4,200 frames per charge with the D3S* and as much as 4,400 frames per charge with the D3X*.

* Based on CIPA Standards, with EN-EL4a battery.