Nikon D3S vs Nikon D5

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Nikon D3S and the Nikon D5, 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 D5 was introduced in January 2016. 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 D5.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D5 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 D5 has a 3.2" screen with 2,359k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens. Nikon D5 also features touchscreen which has advantages such as easy menu navigation, intuitive controls, quick setting adjustment

Viewfinder

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

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 D5 features a 20.8 megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor with dimensions of 35.9 x 23.9 mm and a total area of 571.2 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 102,400 and expands to 100 - 3,280,000 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 D5 is equipped with EXPEED 5 processor and can take pictures up to 5588 x 3712 resolution.

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 D5 nothing can be done. On Nikon D5 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 inputs for data transfer. Nikon D3S has an HDMI and Nikon D5 has a Mini HDMI connector for video signal output.

Battery

Nikon D3S comes with EN-EL4a battery pack with battery life of 4200 shots and Nikon D5 comes with EN-EL18a battery pack with battery life of 3780 shots.

External Storage Slots

Nikon D3S has Dual CompactFlash (Type I, compliant with UDMA) card slots. Nikon D5 has Dual CompactFlash (Type I, compliant with UDMA) or XQD card slots.

Shutter

Nikon D3S has Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter. Nikon D5 has Mechanical Focal Plane shutter and Electronic shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec on Nikon D3S, and up to 1/8000 sec on Nikon D5. Nikon D3S can shoot continuously up to 11.0 fps. Nikon D5 can shoot continuously up to 14.0 fps.

Focusing

Nikon D3S has 51 (15 cross-type) focusing points and Nikon D5 has 153 (99 cross-type) focusing points. Nikon D5 has detection range from -4 to +20 EV.

Exposure

Exposure meterings of Nikon D3S and Nikon D5 range from 0 to +20 EV and -4 to +20 EV respectively and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range on Nikon D3S and ±5 EV range on Nikon D5. 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 D5.

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 to Nikon D5. 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 D5 body has dimensions of 160 x 158.5 x 92 mm (6.3 x 6.26 x 3.62"). Nikon D3S weighs 1240 g (2.73 lb / 43.74 oz) and Nikon D5 weighs 1415 g (3.12 lb / 49.91 oz).

Nikon D3S

Nikon D5

160 mm

157 mm

160 mm

158.5 mm

157 mm

158.5 mm

88 mm

92 mm