D3

Released November 2007

Nikon's first full-frame DSLR, with 12.1 megapixels, 9 fps shooting, 51-point autofocus and an integrated vertical grip.

Type: DSLR
Sensor: Full frame
Megapixels: 12.1
Lens: Nikon F mount
Video: –
Body weight: 1240 g

What reviewers say

Both praise robust construction, fast shooting and strong high-ISO photographs, while noting its relatively modest resolution. Photography Blog finds it too heavy for casual all-day carrying, with occasional autofocus wandering during bursts and soft default JPEGs. TechRadar finds it surprisingly manageable despite its size, but criticises small white-balance symbols and Picture Controls buried in menus.

From photographyblog.com and techradar.com

Specifications

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Image and sensor

Camera type: DSLR
Sensor format: Full frame
Sensor type: CMOS
Sensor dimensions: 36 × 23.9 mm
Effective resolution: 12.1 MP
Largest image: 4256 × 2832
RAW recording: Yes
Standard ISO range: 200–6400
Sensor detail: 12.87 million total pixels; FX, DX and 5:4 image areas; maximum DX image 2784 × 1848 and 5:4 image 3552 × 2832
Image formats: 12-bit or 14-bit NEF RAW, uncompressed, compressed or losslessly compressed; JPEG, TIFF RGB and RAW plus JPEG
ISO detail: Expanded equivalents ISO 100–25600; Auto ISO
Image processor: EXPEED image-processing system; Scene Recognition System

Lens and shooting

Lens mount: Nikon F mount
Stabilisation: Optical lens stabilisation
Maximum continuous burst: 9 fps
Lens detail: AF coupling supports compatible screw-drive lenses; DX lenses supported with automatic crop. Supported non-CPU AI lenses permit aperture-priority and manual exposure, with colour matrix metering when lens data is entered; IX and F3AF lenses unsupported
Autofocus: Multi-CAM 3500FX phase detection; 51 points including 15 cross-type; single-point, auto-area and dynamic 9/21/51-point modes with 3D tracking; AF fine-tuning
Shutter: 1/8000 to 30 seconds and Bulb; flash sync 1/250 second; shutter tested to 300000 cycles
Burst detail: Approximately 9 fps at full FX resolution with AF/AE; up to 11 fps in the lower-resolution DX crop, with focus locked at the first frame at 11 fps. Maker rates require continuous-servo AF, shutter-priority or manual exposure, at least 1/250 second and other specified default settings
Stabilisation detail: Optical VR depends on the attached lens; no sensor-shift stabilisation
Flash: No built-in flash; hot shoe and PC sync terminal; compatible external Speedlights provide i-TTL and Creative Lighting System functions
Exposure controls: P/S/A/M; 1005-pixel RGB 3D Colour Matrix Metering II; ±5 EV compensation; Active D-Lighting

Screen and viewfinder

Viewfinder: Optical
Screen size: 3″
Screen dots: 920,000
Tilting screen: No
Display detail: Fixed TFT with 170° viewing angle; dots count subpixels; separate top and rear status panels
Viewfinder detail: Pentaprism; approximately 100% FX coverage, 97% DX coverage and 100% vertical/97% horizontal in 5:4; 0.7× magnification with 50mm at infinity; 18 mm eyepoint; replaceable focusing screen and eyepiece shutter

Connections and design

Wi-Fi: No
Battery life (maker's claim): 4300 photographs
Body weight: 1240 g
Release detail: Nikon's original US announcement specifies November 2007 availability; Japan records 30 November. Main retains the month
Recording media: Two CompactFlash Type I/II slots, including UDMA and Microdrive support; overflow, backup, separate RAW/JPEG recording and card-to-card copying
Ports: USB 2.0 Hi-Speed, analogue NTSC/PAL output, full-size HDMI Type A, ten-pin accessory terminal and PC flash sync; optional GP-1 or MC-35 connects external GPS equipment
Wireless connections: Optional WT-4 transmitter supplies network transfer; Wi-Fi is not built into the body
Battery life detail: EN-EL4a; approximately 4300 shots under CIPA conditions with AF-S NIKKOR 24–70mm f/2.8G ED and no live view. Separate Nikon continuous test claims approximately 4700 with AF-S VR 70–200mm f/2.8 ED; EN-EL4 also supported
Charging: External MH-22 charger; optional MH-21 charger and EH-6 AC adapter
Dimensions: Approximately 159.5 × 157 × 87.5 mm
Weight detail: Approximately 1240 g excluding battery, card, body cap and accessory-shoe cover
Materials: Magnesium-alloy exterior with dust and moisture seals; integrated vertical grip; not a waterproof rating

Video

Video detail: No movie recording. Handheld live view uses phase-detection AF; Tripod live view uses contrast-detection AF
Audio: Voice memo recording and playback for still photographs; not movie audio

Pros and cons

Pros

Full-resolution 9 fps shooting with autofocus and exposure tracking
Two CompactFlash slots with backup and separate RAW/JPEG recording
100% FX optical viewfinder and integrated portrait controls

Cons

Large 1240 g body before battery and lens
Fixed rear screen and no movie recording
No built-in flash

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Sensor	Megapixels	Lens	Video	Body weight	Released
SonyAlpha DSLR-A900	DSLR	Full frame	24.6	Sony A-mount	–	850 g	Sept 2008
NikonD3X	DSLR	Full frame	24.5	Nikon F mount	–	1220 g	Dec 2008
NikonD700	DSLR	Full frame	12.1	Nikon F mount	–	995 g	Jul 2008

Sources

Photo: Nikon USA front photograph with a lens; lens is not part of body specifications

Supplied EN-EL4a battery: Nikon official product photograph
Supplied BL-4 battery chamber cover: Nikon official product photograph
Supplied MH-22 quick charger: Nikon official product photograph
Supplied UC-E4 USB cable: Nikon official product photograph
D3 front right oblique with mounted lens: Nikon official product photograph
D3 right side with mounted lens: Nikon official product photograph
D3 left side with mounted lens: Nikon official product photograph
D3 front left oblique with mounted lens: Nikon official product photograph
Supplied D3 strap, folded view: Nikon official product photograph
Supplied AN-D3 strap, extended view: Nikon official product photograph

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