Nikon D3S vs Nikon D4

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Nikon D3S and the Nikon D4, 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 D3S was introduced in February 2010 and Nikon D4 was introduced in January 2012. 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 D3S over Nikon D4.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D4 over Nikon D3S.

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 D3S has a 3.0" screen with 921k dot resolution and Nikon D4 has a 3.2" screen with 921k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.

Viewfinder

Cameras have built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinders. They both have 100% coverage and 0.70x magnification.

Nikon D3S 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 - 12,800 and expands to 100 - 102,400 in boosted mode. Nikon D4 features a 16.2 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 100 - 12,800 and expands to 50 - 204,800 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 D3S is equipped with EXPEED processor and can take pictures up to 4256 x 2832 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3552 x 2832, 3552 x 2368, 3184 x 2128, 2784 x 1848, 2656 x 1776, 2128 x 1416, 2080 x 1384, 1776 x 1416, 1776 x 1184, 1392 x 920 with 5:4, 3:2 aspect ratios. Nikon D4 is equipped with EXPEED 3 processor and can take pictures up to 4928 x 3280 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4096 x 2720, 4096 x 3280, 3696 x 2456, 3200 x 2128, 3072 x 2456, 3072 x 2040, 2464 x 1640, 2400 x 1592, 2048 x 1360, 2048 x 1640, 1600 x 1064 with 5:4, 3:2 aspect ratios.

Lens Mount

Cameras have Nikon F lens mount. Due to their Full Frame sensor their crop factor (also called lens multiplier) 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 D3S it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Nikon D4 nothing can be done. On Nikon D4 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Nikon D3S nothing can be done.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Nikon D3S has an HDMI and Nikon D4 has a Type C HDMI connector for video signal output.

Battery

Nikon D3S comes with EN-EL4a battery pack with battery life of 4200 shots and Nikon D4 comes with EN-EL18 battery pack with battery life of 2600 shots.

External Storage Slots

Nikon D3S has Dual CompactFlash (Type I, compliant with UDMA) card slots. Nikon D4 has Dual CompactFlash (Type I, compliant with UDMA) or XQD card slots.

Shutter

Nikon D3S and Nikon D4 have Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane. shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec on Nikon D3S, and up to 1/8000 sec on Nikon D4. Cameras can shoot continuously up to 11.0 fps.

Focusing

Nikon D3S has 51 (15 cross-type) focusing points and Nikon D4 has 51 (15 cross-type) focusing points. Nikon D4 has detection range from -2 to +19 EV.

Exposure

Exposure meterings of Nikon D3S 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 on Nikon D3S and exposure lock, exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Nikon D4.

Flash

Cameras have no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected to both of them via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal to Nikon D3S and via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal or Wireless connection to Nikon D4. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/250 sec on both cameras.

Nikon D3S body has dimensions of 160 x 157 x 88 mm (6.3 x 6.18 x 3.46") and Nikon D4 body has dimensions of 160 x 157 x 91 mm (6.3 x 6.18 x 3.58"). Nikon D3S weighs 1240 g (2.73 lb / 43.74 oz) and Nikon D4 weighs 1340 g (2.95 lb / 47.27 oz).

Nikon D3S

Nikon D4

160 mm

157 mm

160 mm

157 mm

157 mm

157 mm

88 mm

91 mm