Nikon Targets Professionals With New D3S Digital SLR

Nikon announced the new FX-format D3S DSLR today. This new professional-grade camera inherits many of the quality and speed performance features from the D3. The D3S provides photographers with shutter speed and aperture freedom thanks to a base ISO sensitivity range from ISO 200 to 12,800. Expanded ISO equivalent settings up to 102,400 and a setting of ISO equivalent 100 are also available.

For the first time in a Nikon FX-format flagship camera, the D3S incorporates Nikon's HD-quality D-Movie function. The D3S' broad ISO range can be used while recording HD video clips. The D3s can capture smooth 1280x720 video at 24fps and features a new algorithm that helps to reduce the "rolling shutter" phenomenon that is typical of DSLRs while panning.


With the motion JPEG codec, you'll also be able to extract single frames from a video clip and save them as JPEG files. For sound recording, the D3S offers a built-in monaural microphone augmented by a stereo microphone input. When it's time to show off your videos, you can connect the camera to a high definition monitor using the camera's HDMI port and an optional cable.

The D3S uses a redesigned 12.1 megapixel FX-format CMOS sensor, which has been optimized with the pixel count and large pixel pitch maintained for even greater latitude in high ISO performance. This sensor can capture images at 9 fps in the FX-format or up to 11 fps in DX crop mode. Nikon also increased the buffer, enabling continuous bursts approximately twice that of the D3 in the JPEG, TIFF, or NEF (RAW) formats.


Nikon also added an Image Sensor Cleaning function to the D3S to help reduce dust accumulation on the optical low pass filter in front of the image sensor. This function can be set to operate automatically when the camera is turned on and off, or manually.

The D3S DSLR features two UDMA compatible CompactFlash card slots that can be used for consecutive recording, simultaneous recording, separating recording of RAW and JPEG files, transfering data from one card to another, or to designate a slot for data-heavy D-Movie recording.


You'll find Nikon’s acclaimed 921,000-dot, 3.0-inch super density LCD monitor on the rear of the camera. This LCD is viewable up to 170 degrees and is safeguarded by a tempered glass cover. A dedicated Live View button provides easy access to two Live View modes: Tripod mode and Hand-held mode.

The D3S is compatible with Nikon’s GP-1 GPS receiver which can gather latitude, longitude, altitude, and (satellite) date of shooting.

The Nikon D3S is scheduled to be available in late November for an estimated selling price of $5,199.95.

Highlights of the D3S:

• 12.1 mp FX-format full frame CMOS sensor
• Base ISO Range from 200 to 12,800, expandable from 100 to 102,400
• 9 frames per second at full resolution
• 720p HD video recording with stereo microphone input
• Same low light ability can be applied to movies
• 51 point AF system, 3D Matrix metering and Scene Recognition System
• $5,199.95 estimated selling price