Nikon D3S vs Nikon D6

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Nikon D3S and the Nikon D6, 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 D6 was introduced in February 2020. 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 D6.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D6 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 D6 has a 3.2" screen with 2,359k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens. Nikon D6 also features touchscreen which has advantages such as easy menu navigation, intuitive controls, quick setting adjustment and most importantly a Touch-to-Focus functionality (available only on Nikon D6) allowing users to select a specific point on the screen where they want the camera to focus. This feature can be helpful for achieving precise focus in both photo and video recording.

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 D6 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 50 - 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 D6 is equipped with EXPEED 6 processor and can take pictures up to 5568 x 3712 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3648 x 2432 (DX format) with 1:1, 5:4, 3:2, 16:9 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 D6 nothing can be done. On Nikon D6 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Nikon D3S nothing can be done.

Built-in GPS on Nikon D6

Nikon D6 has a built-in GPS (Global Positioning System) technology which allows you to automatically tag the location where you took your photos. You can later categorize, organize, and search for photos based on location. This is very useful for travel and outdoor photographers for documenting the locations where images were captured.
  Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in GPS.

Built-in Wi-Fi on Nikon D6

Nikon D6 has a built-in Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi 5, 802.11ac/b/g/n, 2.4/5 GHz) which allows to easily transfer photos and videos from the camera to other Wi-Fi-enabled devices, such as smartphones, tablets, printers, or computers. This eliminates the need for cables and allows for quick and convenient media sharing and social media integration. It gives you the ability to control your camera remotely using a smartphone or tablet. This is particularly useful for taking self-portraits, group shots, or capturing images in challenging conditions without having to touch the camera. Firmware updates can also be downloaded and installed wirelessly.
  Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in WiFi.

Bluetooth on Nikon D6

Nikon D6 has a built-in Bluetooth which lets you to connect the camera to a smartphone or a dedicated remote control device. This allows you to remotely trigger the camera, adjust settings and controls remotely through a paired mobile app. While Wi-Fi is generally faster for transferring larger files, Bluetooth can be used for small, selective transfers, it can provide real-time information about your camera's battery status, memory card capacity, and other key settings directly on your paired smartphone or smartwatch.
  Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in Bluetooth.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB inputs for data transfer. Nikon D3S has an HDMI and Nikon D6 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 D6 comes with EN-EL18c battery pack with battery life of 3580 shots.

External Storage Slots

Nikon D3S has Dual CompactFlash (Type I, compliant with UDMA) card slots. Nikon D6 has Dual CFexpress Type B / XQD card slots.

Shutter

Nikon D3S has Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter. Nikon D6 has Electronic shutter and Mechanical Focal Plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec on Nikon D3S, and up to 1/8000 sec on Nikon D6. Nikon D3S can shoot continuously up to 11.0 fps. Nikon D6 can shoot continuously up to 14.0 fps.

Focusing

Nikon D3S has 51 (15 cross-type) focusing points and Nikon D6 has 105 (105 cross-type) focusing points. Nikon D6 has detection range from -4.5 to +20 EV.

Exposure

Exposure meterings of Nikon D3S and Nikon D6 range from 0 to +20 EV and -3 to +20 EV respectively 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 D6.

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 D6. 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 D6 body has dimensions of 160 x 163 x 92 mm (6.3 x 6.42 x 3.62"). Nikon D3S weighs 1240 g (2.73 lb / 43.74 oz) and Nikon D6 weighs 1450 g (3.20 lb / 51.15 oz).

Nikon D3S

Nikon D6

160 mm

157 mm

160 mm

163 mm

157 mm

163 mm

88 mm

92 mm