Nikon D3

    66
    Image cannot be found

    Highlights

    • 12.1 MP Full Frame CMOS Sensor
    • 200 - 6,400 Native ISO
    • 51 Focus Points (51 Cross-type)
    • 3.0" 922k dot Fixed Screen
    • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
    • 11.0 fps Continuous Shooting
    • Wheather Sealed Body
    Image cannot be found
    Image cannot be found

    Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

    Overview

    Nikon D3 was announced in 2008 and is a Full Frame (36.0 x 23.9 mm) DSLR camera with 12.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor. Its native ISO ranges from 200 to 6,400 and expands to 100 - 25,600 in boosted mode. The camera has a Fixed 3.0" screen with 922k dot resolution and built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder.

    Table of Contents
    1. Overview
    2. Pros and Cons
    3. Successor
    4. Screen and Viewfinder
    5. Sensor
    6. Photography Features
    7. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
    8. Other Features
    9. Physical Parameters
    10. For Different Types of Photography
    11. Evaluation
    12. Specifications  

    Here is the Nikon Dx series lineup, where you can view and compare the main specifications of the cameras within the same series.

    Nikon Dx series lineup
    Model Date Sensor Native ISO Screen Price
    Image cannot be found Nikon D6
    Compare
    		February
    2020    		 20.8 MP
    Full Frame    		 100 - 102,400 Fixed 3.2"
    2,359k dot
    Touchscreen
    Image cannot be found Nikon D5
    Compare
    		January
    2016    		 20.8 MP
    Full Frame    		 100 - 102,400 Fixed 3.2"
    2,359k dot
    Touchscreen
    Image cannot be found Nikon D4s
    Compare
    		February
    2014    		 16.2 MP
    Full Frame    		 100 - 25,600 Fixed 3.2"
    921k dot
    Image cannot be found Nikon D4
    Compare
    		January
    2012    		 16.2 MP
    Full Frame    		 100 - 12,800 Fixed 3.2"
    921k dot
    Image cannot be found Nikon D3S
    Compare
    		February
    2010    		 12.1 MP
    Full Frame    		 200 - 12,800 Fixed 3.0"
    921k dot
    Image cannot be found Nikon D3X
    Compare
    		February
    2009    		 24.5 MP
    Full Frame    		 100 - 1,600 Fixed 3.0"
    920k dot
    Image cannot be found Nikon D3 April
    2008    		 12.1 MP
    Full Frame    		 200 - 6,400 Fixed 3.0"
    922k dot
    Image cannot be found Nikon D2Xs
    Compare
    		June
    2006    		 12.4 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 800 Fixed 2.5"
    235k dot
    Image cannot be found Nikon D2X
    Compare
    		June
    2005    		 12.4 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 800 Fixed 2.5"
    235k dot
    Image cannot be found Nikon D2Hs
    Compare
    		February
    2005    		 4.1 MP
    APS-C    		 200 - 1,600 Fixed 2.5"
    235k dot
    Image cannot be found Nikon D2H
    Compare
    		December
    2003    		 4.1 MP
    APS-C    		 200 - 1,600 Fixed 2.5"
    211k dot
    Image cannot be found Nikon D1H
    Compare
    		September
    2001    		 2.7 MP
    APS-C    		 200 - 1,600 Fixed 2.0"
    130k dot
    Image cannot be found Nikon D1X
    Compare
    		June
    2001    		 5.3 MP
    APS-C    		 125 - 800 Fixed 2.0"
    130k dot
    Image cannot be found Nikon D1
    Compare
    		November
    2000    		 2.66 MP
    APS-C    		 200 - 1,600 Fixed 2.0"
    130k dot

    You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Nikon D6 vs D5 vs D4s vs D4 vs D3S vs D3X.

    Pros and Cons

    In this section we present pros and cons of Nikon D3.

    PROS

    •   Large Sensor
    •   51 Focus Points
    •   Live View Autofocus
    •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
    •   HDMI Output
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Long Battery Life - 4300 shots
    •   2 Storage Slots
    •   Orientation Sensor

    CONS

    •   No Video Capture
    •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.1 Megapixel
    •   200 Lowest Native ISO
    •   No Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   No Built-in Microphone
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth
    •   Heavy - 1300 g (2.87 lb / 45.86 oz)

    And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

    AVERAGE

    •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
    •   15 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 11.0 fps
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
    •   DxO Overall Score - 81

    Successor

    In 2010 Nikon D3 was replaced by Nikon D3S. Let us now have a look at some important differences between Nikon D3 and its successor.

    UPGRADES Nikon D3S vs Nikon D3
    Video Capture vs
    Higher Native ISO 12,800 vs 6,400
    Higher Boosted ISO 102,400 vs 25,600
    Higher Bit Depth 14-Bit vs 12-Bit
    Center Weighted Metering vs
    Higher DxO Low Light ISO 3253 vs 2290
    Higher DxO Overall Score 82 vs 81
    Built-in Microphone Stereo vs
    Lighter 1240 g (2.73 lb / 43.74 oz) vs 1300 g (2.87 lb / 45.86 oz)
    DOWNGRADES Nikon D3S vs Nikon D3
    Lower Resolution Screen 921k dot vs 922k dot
    Average Metering vs
    Partial Metering vs
    Lower DxO Dynamic Range 12.0 vs 12.2
    Shorter Battery Life 4200 shots vs 4300 shots

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Nikon D3 vs D3S.

    Screen and Viewfinder

    Fixed screen

    Nikon D3 has a 3.0" Fixed screen with 922k dot resolution.


    Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder

    Camera has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. It has a 100% coverage and 0.70x magnification.

    Sensor

    Nikon D3 features a 12.1 megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor with dimensions of 36.0 x 23.9 mm and a total area of 860.4 mm2. Its native ISO range is 200 - 6,400 and expands to 100 - 25,600 in boosted mode.


    Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how Nikon D3's Full Frame sensor compares with other types of sensors:

    Sensor size chart
    Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
    Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
    Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36.0 x 23.9 mm860.4 mm23:21x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
    Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
    Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

    Photography Features

    Camera is equipped with EXPEED processor and can take pictures up to 4256 x 2832 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolutions like 3184 x 2120, 2128 x 1416 with 5:4, 3:2 aspect ratios.


    Lens Mount

    Nikon D3 has Nikon F lens mount. Due to Full Frame sensor its crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is 1x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length.


    No In-Body Image Stabilization

    The camera does not have in-body image stabilization (IBIS) so it needs lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction.

    Check out the cameras which are frequently compared to Nikon D3.

    Nikon D3X
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    24.5 MP

    Nikon D1H
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    2.7 MP

    Nikon D4
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    16.2 MP

    Nikon D2H
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    4.1 MP

    Nikon D5
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    20.8 MP

    Nikon D2X
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    12.4 MP

    Nikon D2Hs
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    4.1 MP

    Nikon D1X
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    5.3 MP

    Nikon D4s
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    16.2 MP

    Nikon D6
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    20.8 MP

    Nikon D1
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    2.66 MP

    Nikon D3S
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    12.1 MP

    Connectivity, Battery and Storage

    USB Input and HDMI Output

    Nikon D3 has a USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) input for data transfer. There is an HDMI connector for video signal output.


    External Storage Slots

    The camera has Dual CompactFlash (Type I/II, compliant with UDMA) card slots.

    Other Features

    Shutter

    Nikon D3 has Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec. Camera can shoot continuously up to 11.0 fps.


    Exposure

    Camera's exposure metering ranges from 0 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range. You can also do exposure lock, exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment.


    Flash

    Nikon D3 has no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/250 sec.

    Physical Parameters

    Nikon D3 has dimensions of 160 x 157 x 88 mm (6.3 x 6.18 x 3.46"). It weighs 1300 g (2.87 lb / 45.86 oz), so it is a heavy camera.

    160 mm (6.3")

    157 mm (6.18")

    Image cannot be displayed


    157 mm (6.18")

    Image cannot be displayed


    88 mm (3.46")

    Image cannot be displayed

    Nikon D3 dimensions

    Nikon D3 for Different Types of Photography

    We give scores to the camera for different type of photography based on its features and specifications. Let us see how Nikon D3 is suitable for six different types of photography.


    Landscape Photography

    GOOD
    83

    Nikon D3 gets a score of 83 and is GOOD choice for Landscape photography.

    •   Large Sensor
    •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   Environmental Sealing

    Sports Photography

    GOOD
    72

    Nikon D3 gets a score of 72 and is GOOD choice for Sports photography.

    •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
    •   51 Focus Points
    •   15 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 11.0 fps
    •   Long Battery Life - 4300 shots
    •   2 Storage Slots
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Wildlife Photography

    GOOD
    72

    Nikon D3 gets a score of 72 and is GOOD choice for Wildlife photography.

    •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
    •   51 Focus Points
    •   15 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 11.0 fps
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Long Battery Life - 4300 shots
    •   2 Storage Slots
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Portrait Photography

    GOOD
    74

    Nikon D3 gets a score of 74 and is GOOD choice for Portrait photography.

    •   Large Sensor
    •   51 Focus Points
    •   15 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Street Photography

    GOOD
    72

    Nikon D3 gets a score of 72 and is GOOD choice for Street photography.

    •   Large Sensor
    •   51 Focus Points
    •   15 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Heavy - 1300 g (2.87 lb / 45.86 oz)

    Travel Photography

    GOOD
    70

    Nikon D3 gets a score of 70 and is GOOD choice for Travel photography.

    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Heavy - 1300 g (2.87 lb / 45.86 oz)
    •   Long Battery Life - 4300 shots

    Nikon D3 Evaluation

    We evaluate Nikon D3 and give score of 66 out of 100. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


    OVERALL
    66

    Sensor

    GOOD
    71

    We give Nikon D3 a score of 71 for Sensor parameters.

    •   Large Sensor
    •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.1 Megapixel
    •   200 Lowest Native ISO
    •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
    •   DxO Overall Score - 81

    Photo

    GOOD
    70

    We give Nikon D3 a score of 70 for Photo parameters.

    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 11.0 fps
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec

    Video

    BAD
    0

    We give Nikon D3 a score of 0 for Video parameters.

    •   No Image Stabilization

    Focusing

    GOOD
    78

    We give Nikon D3 a score of 78 for Focusing parameters.

    •   51 Focus Points
    •   15 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection
    •   Live View Autofocus

    Screen and Viewfinder

    GOOD
    73

    We give Nikon D3 a score of 73 for Screen and Viewfinder parameters.

    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot

    Connectivity

    AVERAGE
    57

    We give Nikon D3 a score of 57 for Connectivity parameters.

    •   HDMI Output
    •   No Built-in Microphone
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth

    Battery, Storage and Physical

    EXCELLENT
    89

    We give Nikon D3 a score of 89 for Battery, Storage and Physical parameters.

    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Heavy - 1300 g (2.87 lb / 45.86 oz)
    •   Long Battery Life - 4300 shots
    •   2 Storage Slots


    For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

    Amazon Affiliate Disclosure
    ZKelectronics is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon (.com, .co.uk, .ca, etc) and any other websites that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program.