Nikon SLR D3
Nikon SLR D3 Descriptions
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. 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)
Foreword / notes
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Preview Notes
This preview is based on material supplied by Nikon, it is designed to provide as much detail as we can about the D3 at this point in time. As soon as we are able to produce a hands-on preview or review of the camera we will replace this article.
| Body material | Magnesium alloy |
|---|---|
| Sensor | • 36 x 23.9 mm CMOS sensor |
| Image processor | Nikon EXPEED |
| A/D conversion | 14 bit |
| Image sizes | • 4256 x 2832 [L; 12.1 MP] |
| Image sizes | • 2784 x 1848 [L; 5.1 MP] |
| Image sizes | • 3552 x 2832 [L; 10.0 MP] |
| File formats | • NEF (12-bit or 14-bit, compressed or lossless compressed RAW) |
| NEF compression | • Compressed 12/14-bit NEF (RAW, Lossless compressed): approx. 60-80% |
| Lens mount | • Nikon F mount with AF coupling and AF contacts |
| Usable lenses | • Type G or D AF NIKKOR: All functions supported |
| Auto Focus | • 51 focus points (15 cross-type sensors) |
| Lens Servo | • Single Servo AF [S] |
| Focus Point | • Single point from 51 or 11 focus points |
| 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 |
| Metering | TTL full-aperture exposure metering using 1005-pixel RGB sensor |
| Metering range | • 3D Color Matrix Metering: 0 to 20 EV |
| 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 |
| Sensitivity | • Default: ISO 200 - 6400 in 1/3, 1/2 or 1.0 EV steps |
| Shutter | • Electronically-controlled vertical-travel focal plane shutter |
| DOF Preview | • Stop-down lens aperture by pressing button |
| White balance | • Auto (1005-pixel CCD, image sensor) |
| Picture Control | • Standard |
| Image parameters | • Sharpening: Auto, 7 levels |
| Color space | • sRGB (Standard and Vivid modes) |
| Viewfinder | • Optical-type fixed eye-level pentaprism |
| Focusing screen | • B-type BrightView Clear Matte Screen II |
| LCD monitor | • 3.0 " TFT LCD |
| LCD Liveview | • Handheld mode: TLL phase-difference AF with 51 focus areas (15 cross-type sensors) |
| Shooting modes | • Single frame |
| Continuous buffer | • JPEG Large/Normal: 64 shots (at 9 fps) |
| 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) |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Battery monitoring | The LCD monitor on the camera back displays the following information about the battery: |
| 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 |