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Nikon D3X · Nikon USA front photograph with a lens; lens is not part of body specifications

Nikon D3X
Photo 1 of 21

Nikon D3X · Nikon USA front photograph with a lens; lens is not part of body specifications

Nikon · Nikon DSLR

D3X

Released December 2008

A 24.5-megapixel full-frame professional DSLR with an integrated vertical grip, 5 fps shooting and dual CompactFlash slots.

Type
DSLR
Sensor
Full frame
Megapixels
24.5
Lens
Nikon F mount
Video
–
Body weight
1220 g

What reviewers say

Both praise detailed low-ISO photographs, robust construction and professional controls, while criticising cost and the absence of automatic sensor cleaning. Photography Blog finds handling intuitive and responsive, but questions whether the extra detail justifies the premium over the D3. TechRadar particularly values customisation and autofocus, while finding live view less refined than the cheaper D90.

From photographyblog.com and techradar.com

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Image and sensor

Camera type
DSLR
Sensor format
Full frame
Sensor type
CMOS
Sensor dimensions
35.9 × 24 mm
Effective resolution
24.5 MP
Largest image
6048 × 4032
RAW recording
Yes
Standard ISO range
100–1600
Sensor detail
25.72 million total pixels; FX, DX and 5:4 image areas; maximum DX image 3968 × 2640 and 5:4 image 5056 × 4032. No automatic sensor-cleaning mechanism; Image Dust Off reference data can be used with optional Capture NX 2
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 50–6400; 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
5 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 5 fps at full FX resolution or in 5:4; up to 7 fps in the 10.5-megapixel DX crop. Recording 14-bit NEF RAW reduces the maximum to 1.8 fps in FX/5:4 or 2.6 fps in DX. 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)
4400 photographs
Body weight
1220 g
Release detail
Nikon's original US announcement specifies December 2008 availability; Japan records 19 December. 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 4400 shots under CIPA conditions with AF-S NIKKOR 24–70mm f/2.8G ED and no live view. Separate Nikon continuous test claims approximately 5300 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 1220 g excluding battery, card, body cap and accessory-shoe cover
Materials
Magnesium-alloy construction 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

  • 24.5-megapixel FX images with 12-bit and 14-bit RAW options
  • Two CompactFlash slots with backup and separate RAW/JPEG recording
  • 100% FX optical viewfinder and integrated portrait controls

Cons

  • Large 1220 g body before battery and lens
  • Full-resolution 14-bit RAW shooting limited to 1.8 fps
  • Fixed rear screen, no movies and no automatic sensor cleaning

Closest rivals

Model
TypeSensorMegapixelsLensVideoBody weightReleased
SonyAlpha DSLR-A900
DSLRFull frame24.6Sony A-mount–850 gSept 2008
NikonD700
DSLRFull frame12.1Nikon F mount–995 gJul 2008
SonyAlpha DSLR-A850
DSLRFull frame24.6Sony A–850 gSept 2009

Sources

  1. nij.nikon.com/products/lineup/slr/d3x/spec.html
  2. nij.nikon.com/products/lineup/slr/d3x
  3. cdn-10.nikon-cdn.com/pdf/manuals/kie88335f7869dfuejdl=-cww2/D3X_en.pdf
  4. nikonusa.com/p/d3x/25442/overview
  5. nikonusa.com/press-room/nikon-unveils-a-digital-master
  6. photographyblog.com/reviews/nikon_d3x_review
  7. techradar.com/reviews/cameras-and-camcorders/cameras/digital-slrs-hybrids/nikon…

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

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