Nikon D3

The Nikon D3 is a 12.0-megapixel professional-grade full frame (35 mm) digital single lens reflex camera (DSLR) announced by the Nikon Corporation on 23 August 2007 along with the Nikon D300 DX format camera. It was Nikon's first full-frame DSLR. The D3, along with the Nikon D3X, was a flagship model in Nikon's line of DSLRs, superseding the D2Hs and D2Xs. It was replaced by the D3S as Nikon's flagship DSLR. The D3, D3X, D3S, D4, D5, D6, D700, D800, D800Е and Df are the only Nikon FX format DSLRs manufactured in Japan. The D3S was replaced by the D4 in 2012.

Nikon D3
Overview
TypeDigital single lens reflex camera
Released23 August 2007
Lens
LensInterchangeable, Nikon F mount
Sensor/medium
Sensor36 mm × 23.9 mm CMOS, Nikon FX format
Sensor makerNikon[1]
Maximum resolution12.0 effective megapixels (4,256 × 2,832 pixels)
Film speedISO equivalency 200 to 6400 in 1/3, 1/2 or 1.0 EV steps, boosted: 100 to 25,600
Recording medium2 CompactFlash (Type I or Type II)
Focusing
Focus modesSingle Area AF, Dynamic AF with Focus Tracking and Lock-on, Closest Subject Priority, Group Dynamic AF
Focus areas51 area TTL
Focus bracketingn/a
Exposure/metering
Exposure modesProgram Auto [P], Shutter Priority Auto [S], Aperture Priority Auto [A], Manual [M]
Exposure meteringTTL full aperture exposure metering system
Metering modes3D Color Matrix Metering II, Centre Weighted, Spot
Flash
Flashn/a
Flash bracketingn/a
Shutter
ShutterElectromagnetically controlled vertical travel focal plane shutter
Shutter speed range30 to 1/8000 second and bulb
Continuous shooting9 frame/s up to 17/64 (RAW/JPEG Fine), 11 frame/s for DX mode (without autofocus)
Viewfinder
ViewfinderOptical type fixed eye level pentaprism, 100% coverage
Image processing
White balanceAuto, Presets (5), Manual, and Color temperature in kelvins
WB bracketing2 to 9 frames, 10, 20, 30 MIRED steps
General
LCD screen3 inch, 307,000 pixels (922,000 dots), VGA
BatteryLithium ion EN-EL4a
Optional battery packsAC adapter EH-6
Weight1,240 g (2.73 lb)
Made in Japan
Chronology
SuccessorNikon D3S

Technology
Nikon D3

The D3 features a full-frame 35 mm equivalent CMOS image sensor measuring 23.9 mm × 36.0 mm.[2] This sensor is larger than the DX format sensors of all previous Nikon DSLRs, and Nikon has coined the term "FX format" to describe it. The D3's sensor has larger pixels and greater light sensitivity than previous DX sensors. This allows the camera to reach higher equivalent film speeds and produce images with less noise in low light situations. Low light situations include times when the camera is operated at high shutter speed or high f number, where the lens' aperture is reduced to improve depth of field and sharpness. The sensor captures image data at 14 bits per color channel through 12-channel parallel readout, which ensures 9 frame/s continuous shooting with higher bit depth than that on previous 12-bit sensors.

Processed with the new Nikon EXPEED engine, the Live View mode in D3, along with D300, was Nikon's first implementation in its DSLR line-up. D3 also uses a stepper motor in aperture coupling mechanism for the first time,[3] allowing real time depth of field control in Live View with exposure preview and live histogram functions. Additionally, D3 provides a lossless algorithm applied to RAW file along with uncompressed and lossy-compressed format.

The camera grip and body style were designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro's Italdesign.[4][5] The camera body uses the Nikon F mount, making it compatible with older Nikon lenses. Other features include 9 frames per second in FX and 11 frames in DX and a large and bright LCD screen.

Three firmware updates have been released for the D3. The latest firmware version is 2.02.[6] In this firmware version, the maximum ISO sensitivity allowed under Automatic ISO can be modified in increments the same as the manual ISO settings can, and automatic White balance and focus tracking are improved. In the 2.01 firmware update, automatic correction of lateral chromatic aberration is standardized, and Vignetting ("Vignette control"), lens distortion ("Distortion") correction, as well as image rotation ("Straighten") via playback ("Retouch") menu, are made possible.

The Nikon D3 has a hardware interface for direct geotagging with Nikon GP-1 GPS.

Audience

The D3 is Nikon's first full frame DSLR. Full frame can either offer greater resolution or larger pixels for improved sensitivity; in the D3 Nikon opted for a lower resolution, higher sensitivity solution. For additional resolution, the D3x was introduced. Full frame sensors also maintain the traditional focal lengths and depth of field associated with 35mm camera systems. Because it is Nikon's first such camera, it does not succeed or replace another camera model. Other professional-grade Nikon models included the D2Xs and D2Hs.

The camera has a vertical grip in addition to the standard horizontal grip.

When Nikon announced the D3, it was priced at US$4999, but present prices are much lower.[7] In July 2008 the D3x's larger buffer memory was offered as an upgrade to D3 owners, doubling its continuous shooting capacity. This modification represents approximately 10% of the original cost of the camera. New D3 bodies still ship with the original buffer memory; upgraded models can be identified with a "2x" label in the storage card door.

As many other Nikon film SLR (various modified Nikon F,[8] F3,[9] F4,[10] F5[11]) and digital DSLR cameras like the Nikon NASA F4, Nikon based Kodak DCS 460, DCS 660 and DCS 760, Nikon D1, D2X and D2Xs, the D3 is used by NASA, for example in Space Shuttle missions to the International Space Station.[12][13][14]

Reception

Popular Photography magazine determined that the Nikon D3 camera has excellent control of noise and can shoot in very low light at high ISO speeds with very usable results.[15]

The DxOMark Sensor rankings issued by DxO Labs placed the Nikon D3 at fourth place behind two medium-format cameras from Phase One and the subsequent Nikon D3X.[16]

The Nikon D3 was also tested by many independent reviewers.[17][18][19]

Nikon D3X
Main article: Nikon D3X

The D3X is a higher resolution version of the D3 which was announced in December 2008. It features a 24.5 megapixel sensor, an ISO range of 50–6400, and a new image processing system.[20]

Nikon D3s
Main article: Nikon D3S

The D3S was announced in October 2009. It features a redesigned 12.1 megapixel sensor, raises the maximum ISO up to 102,400 (equivalent), image sensor cleaning and adds a 720p video mode.[21]

See also

References
  1. Full Frame DSLR Cameras Part I – Nikon vs Sony Archived 2019-05-21 at the Wayback Machine Chipworks
  2. "Nikon D3". Digital SLR Cameras products line-up. Nikon Corporation. Retrieved December 16, 2009.
  3. Nikon D-Technology, D3 Series Aperture Coupling.
  4. "New Nikon D-SLR D3". Nikon Australia. August 23, 2007. Retrieved December 16, 2009.
  5. "D3". Italdesign Giugiaro. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
  6. "D3 firmware: A/B 2.02". Nikon Corporation. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  7. Google product search: Nikon D3
  8. "Debut of Nikon F2". Nikon Corporation. Retrieved December 16, 2009.
  9. "Nikon F3 NASA 250". Photography in Malaysia. Retrieved December 16, 2009.
  10. "Vol. 12. Special titanium Nikon cameras and NASA cameras". Nikon Corporation. Retrieved December 16, 2009.
  11. "The Nikon F5 Auto-Focus SLR : Photographing Space Walks". Nikon Corporation. May 9, 2000. Retrieved December 16, 2009.
  12. "Millennium Island, Kiribati". NASA Earth Observatory. NASA. July 13, 2009. Retrieved 2010-10-10.
  13. "Mount Tambora Volcano, Sumbawa Island, Indonesia". NASA Earth Observatory. NASA. July 19, 2009. Retrieved 2010-10-10.
  14. "Big Thomson Mesa, Capitol Reef National Park, Utah". NASA Earth Observatory. NASA. July 6, 2009. Retrieved 2010-10-10.
  15. McNamara, Michael J. (January 23, 2008). "Camera Test: Nikon D3". Popular Photography. Retrieved 2010-10-10.
  16. "Camera Rankings". DxO Labs. Archived from the original on 2009-12-08. Retrieved 2009-12-16.
  17. "Nikon D3 – Digital Camera Reviews". Digital Camera Tracker. February 16, 2009. Retrieved 2009-12-16.
  18. "Nikon D3". Dcviews. Retrieved 2009-12-16.
  19. "Nikon D3 Reviews". alaTest. Retrieved 2009-12-16.
  20. "Digital SLR Camera Nikon D3X". Nikon Corporation. December 1, 2008. Retrieved 2010-10-10.
  21. "Digital SLR Camera Nikon D3S". Nikon Corporation. October 14, 2009. Retrieved 2010-10-10.
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