Nikon 1 S2 vs Nikon D3

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Nikon 1 S2 and the Nikon D3, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Nikon 1 S2 was introduced in May 2014 and Nikon D3 was introduced in April 2008. Let us first list highlights of the models.

Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon 1 S2 over Nikon D3.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D3 over Nikon 1 S2.

We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

Screen

Nikon 1 S2 and Nikon D3 have 3.0" Fixed screens with 460k dot and 922k dot resolutions respectively.

Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder on Nikon D3

Nikon D3 has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. It has a 100% coverage and 0.70x magnification. There is no built-in or optional viewfinder available on Nikon 1 S2.

Nikon 1 S2 features a 14.2 megapixel 1-inch CMOS sensor with dimensions of 13.1 x 8.8 mm and a total area of 115.3 mm². Its native ISO range is 200 - 12,800. 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 571.2 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 different sensors compare with each other:

Sensor size chart

	Sensor	Dimensions	Area	Aspect Ratio	Crop Factor
	Medium Format	44 x 33 mm	1452 mm2	4:3	0.79x
	Full Frame	36 x 24 mm	864 mm2	3:2	1x
	APS-H	27 x 18 mm	486 mm2	3:2	1.3x
	APS-C	23.6 x 15.6 mm	368.2 mm2	3:2	1.5x
	APS-C (Canon)	22.3 x 14.9 mm	332.3 mm2	3:2	1.6x
	Micro Four Thirds	17.4 x 13 mm	226.2 mm2	4:3	2x
	1-inch	13.2 x 8.8 mm	116.2 mm2	3:2	2.7x
	1/1.7-inch	7.44 x 5.58 mm	41.5 mm2	4:3	4.7x
	1/2.3-inch	6.17 x 4.55 mm	28.1 mm2	4:3	5.6x

Nikon 1 S2 is equipped with EXPEED 4A processor and can take pictures up to 4592 x 3072 resolution. Nikon D3 is equipped with EXPEED processor and can take pictures up to 4256 x 2832 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3184 x 2120, 2128 x 1416 with 5:4, 3:2 aspect ratios.

Lens Mount

Nikon 1 S2 has Nikon 1 lens mount and Nikon D3 has Nikon F lens mount. Due to 1-inch sensor in Nikon 1 S2 its crop factor is equal to 2.7x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 2.7. Due to Full Frame sensor in Nikon D3 its crop factor is equal to 1x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length.

No Image Stabilization

The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Nikon 1 S2 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Nikon D3 nothing can be done. On Nikon D3 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Nikon 1 S2 nothing can be done.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Nikon 1 S2 has a Mini HDMI and Nikon D3 has an HDMI connector for video signal output.

Battery

Nikon 1 S2 comes with EN-EL22 battery pack with battery life of 270 shots.

External Storage Slots

Nikon 1 S2 has a single MicroSD/SDHC/SDXC card slot. Nikon D3 has Dual CompactFlash (Type I/II, compliant with UDMA) card slots.

Shutter

Nikon 1 S2 has Electronic shutter. Nikon D3 has Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/16000 sec with electronic shutter and up to 1/4000 sec with mechanical shutter on Nikon 1 S2, and up to 1/8000 sec on Nikon D3. Nikon 1 S2 can shoot continuously up to 60.0 fps. Nikon D3 can shoot continuously up to 11.0 fps.

Focusing

Nikon 1 S2 has Hybrid autofocus (phase detection/contrast-detect AF)
AF-assist illuminator system with 171 (73 cross-type) focusing points and Nikon D3 has 51 (15 cross-type) focusing points..

Exposure

Exposure meterings of Nikon D3 ranges from 0 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±3 EV range on Nikon 1 S2 and ±5 EV range on Nikon D3. You can also do exposure lock and manual exposure adjustment on Nikon 1 S2 and exposure lock, exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Nikon D3.

Flash

Nikon 1 S2 has a built-in 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 on Nikon D3.

Nikon 1 S2 body has dimensions of 101 x 61 x 29 mm (3.98 x 2.4 x 1.14") and Nikon D3 body has dimensions of 160 x 157 x 88 mm (6.3 x 6.18 x 3.46"). Nikon 1 S2 weighs 190 g (0.42 lb / 6.70 oz) and Nikon D3 weighs 1300 g (2.87 lb / 45.86 oz).

Nikon 1 S2

Nikon D3

101 mm

61 mm

160 mm

157 mm

61 mm

157 mm

29 mm

88 mm