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Nikon D3S vs Nikon D5600

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonD3SNikonD5600
Overview
ReleasedNovember 2009November 2016
Image and sensor
Camera typeDSLRDSLR
Sensor formatFull frameAPS-C
Sensor typeCMOSCMOS
Sensor dimensions36 × 23.9 mm23.5 × 15.6 mm
Effective resolution12.1 MP24.2 MP
Largest image4256 × 28326000 × 4000
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range200–12800100–25600
Sensor detail12.87 million total pixels; FX, 1.2×, DX and 5:4 image areas. Maximum 1.2× image 3552 × 2368, DX image 2784 × 1848 and 5:4 image 3552 × 2832; sensor-cleaning systemNikon DX CMOS without an optical low-pass filter; 24.2 million effective pixels globally, 24.16 million in Japanese specifications, and 24.78 million total; approximately 1.5× lens focal-length equivalent; sensor cleaning and Image Dust Off reference data
Image formats12-bit or 14-bit NEF RAW, uncompressed, compressed or losslessly compressed; JPEG, TIFF RGB and RAW plus JPEGCompressed 12-bit or 14-bit NEF RAW, JPEG and simultaneous RAW plus JPEG; maximum 6000 × 4000 pixels; customisable Picture Controls and in-camera RAW processing
ISO detailExpanded equivalents ISO 100–102400; Auto ISO; high-sensitivity movie mode extends to equivalent ISO 102400ISO 100–25600 in one-third stops; the full range is standard sensitivity rather than an expanded setting; Auto ISO
Image processorEXPEED image-processing system; Scene Recognition SystemEXPEED 4
Lens and shooting
Lens mountNikon F mountNikon F mount
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationOptical lens stabilisation
Maximum continuous burst9 fps5 fps
Lens detailAF 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 unsupportedNo body autofocus motor for screw-drive lenses. Japanese specifications list autofocus with AF-S, AF-P and AF-I lenses; the US page lists AF-P and type E/G AF-S lenses. Non-CPU lenses require manual exposure without metering; IX and F3AF lenses unsupported
AutofocusMulti-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-tuningMulti-CAM 4800DX; 39 phase-detection points including nine cross-type; -1 to +19 EV at ISO 100, 20°C; selectable 39-point or 11-point layouts, dynamic 9/21/39-point areas and 3D tracking. Contrast-detection autofocus in live view
Shutter1/8000 to 30 seconds and Bulb; flash sync 1/250 second; shutter tested to 300000 cycles; Quiet release mode1/4000 to 30 seconds in one-third or half stops, Bulb and Time; flash sync 1/200 second
Burst detailApproximately 9 fps at full FX resolution and in 1.2× or 5:4 crops; up to 11 fps in lower-resolution DX. At 10/11 fps focus locks to the first frame, and exposure also locks in poor light; VR and Auto ISO can reduce the rate. Both 12-bit and 14-bit RAW supportedUp to approximately 5 fps for JPEG or 12-bit RAW, 4 fps for 14-bit RAW and 3 fps in continuous low; specified with AF-C, S/M exposure, 1/250 second or faster and default settings; quiet release and interval-timer shooting
Stabilisation detailOptical VR depends on the attached lens; no sensor-shift stabilisationOptical VR depends on the lens; no sensor-shift stabilisation
FlashNo built-in flash; hot shoe and PC sync terminal; compatible external Speedlights provide i-TTL and Creative Lighting System functionsBuilt-in pop-up flash; guide number approximately 12 m at ISO 100, 20°C, including manual full output; accessory shoe
Exposure controlsP/S/A/M; 1005-pixel RGB 3D Colour Matrix Metering II; ±5 EV compensation; Active D-LightingP/S/A/M, Auto, scene and special-effects modes; 2016-pixel RGB matrix, centre-weighted and spot metering; ±5 EV compensation; exposure, white-balance and Active D-Lighting bracketing
Video
Highest video resolution1280 × 720 at 24 fps1920 × 1080 at 60 fps
Video detailMotion-JPEG AVI at 1280 × 720, 640 × 424 or 320 × 216, all 24 fps; maximum five minutes at 720p or 20 minutes at lower resolutions. Handheld live view uses phase-detection AF with mirror interruption; Tripod live view uses contrast-detection AF, including initiated movie autofocusH.264 MOV at Full HD 60p/50p/30p/25p/24p or 720p 60p/50p; actual rates 59.94/29.97/23.976 for nominal 60p/30p/24p. Up to 29 minutes 59 seconds, reduced to 20 or 10 minutes depending on resolution, frame rate and quality, or three minutes in Miniature Effect. In-camera time-lapse movies. Photography Blog's Motion JPEG AVI passage differs from Nikon's technical sheet
AudioBuilt-in mono microphone and stereo microphone input; voice memo recording and playback for still photographsBuilt-in stereo microphones with adjustable sensitivity; external stereo microphone through 3.5 mm input; linear PCM audio
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalOptical
Screen size3″3.2″
Screen dots921,0001,037,000
Touchscreen–Yes
Tilting screenNoYes
Display detailFixed TFT with 170° viewing angle and tempered-glass cover; dots count subpixels. Original US announcement and brochure specify approximately 921000 dots; Japan rounds to approximately 920000. Separate top and rear status panelsSide-hinged 3.2-inch 3:2 vari-angle touchscreen, approximately 1037000 dots globally, rounded to 1040000 in Japan; 170° viewing angle and 100% coverage; Touch AF, touch shutter and assignable Touch Fn including Auto ISO control; playback frame-advance bar and cropping during playback zoom; eye sensor switches display off; dots count subpixels
Viewfinder detailPentaprism; approximately 100% FX coverage, 97% in 1.2× and DX, and 100% vertical/97% horizontal in 5:4; 0.7× magnification with 50mm at infinity; 18 mm eyepoint; replaceable focusing screen and eyepiece shutterPentamirror; approximately 95% coverage, 0.82× magnification with 50mm f/1.4 at infinity and 17 mm eyepoint
Connections and design
Wi-FiNo–
Battery life (maker's claim)4200 photographs970 photographs
Body weight1240 g415 g
Release detailNikon's original US announcement specifies late November 2009 availability; Japan records 27 November. Main retains the monthNikon Japan records first sale on 25 November 2016; global announcement on 10 November 2016
Recording mediaTwo CompactFlash Type I slots, including UDMA; overflow, backup, separate RAW/JPEG recording and card-to-card copying. Type II and Microdrive unsupportedOne SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot with UHS-I support; MMC unsupported
PortsUSB 2.0 Hi-Speed, analogue NTSC/PAL output, mini-HDMI Type C, 3.5 mm microphone input, ten-pin accessory terminal and PC flash sync; optional GP-1 or MC-35 connects external GPS equipmentHi-Speed Micro-USB, HDMI Type C, 3.5 mm external stereo microphone input and accessory terminal for optional WR-1/WR-R10 wireless remote, MC-DC2 remote or GP-1/GP-1A GPS
Wireless connectionsOptional WT-4 transmitter supplies network transfer; Wi-Fi is not built into the bodyBluetooth 4.1 with low-energy SnapBridge pairing; automatic transfer of 2-megapixel JPEGs, including while the camera is off. Wi-Fi IEEE802.11b/g supports selected still-image and movie transfer and remote still capture after Bluetooth pairing; RAW/TIFF transfer unsupported in Nikon's launch description. Smartphone time/location synchronisation; NFC Type3Tag. Photography Blog's D3400-derived Wi-Fi limitation passage does not describe this model
Battery life detailEN-EL4a; approximately 4200 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 supportedEN-EL14a rechargeable lithium-ion battery; approximately 970 CIPA photographs per charge. Photography Blog's 600-shot passage differs from Nikon's specifications
ChargingExternal MH-22 charger; optional EH-6 AC adapterExternal MH-24 charger; optional EH-5b adapter with EP-5A power connector
DimensionsApproximately 159.5 × 157 × 87.5 mmApproximately 124 × 97 × 70 mm
Weight detailApproximately 1240 g excluding battery, card, body cap and accessory-shoe coverApproximately 415 g body only or 465 g including battery and SD card, excluding body cap
Colours–Black
In the box–EN-EL14a battery, MH-24 charger, AN-DC3 BK strap, BF-1B body cap and DK-25 eyecup
MaterialsMagnesium-alloy construction with dust and moisture seals; integrated vertical grip; not a waterproof rating–

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