Nikon D3S vs Nikon D3X

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Main
Model
Price
Advantages

launch
Announced
Body type
Camera subcategory
Sensor
Effective pixels
Max resolution
Sensor size
Sensor type
Processor
Image ratio w:h
Other resolutions
Sensor photo detectors
Image
ISO
Boosted ISO (minimum)
Boosted ISO (maximum)
White balance presets
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Uncompressed format
JPEG quality levels
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed
Maximum shutter speed
Aperture priority
Shutter priority
Manual exposure mode
Subject / scene modes
Built-in flash
External flash
Flash modes
Continuous drive
Self-timer
Metering modes
Exposure compensation
AE Bracketing
WB Bracketing
Screen / viewfinder
Articulated LCD
Screen size
Screen dots
Touch screen
Screen type
Live view
Viewfinder type
Viewfinder coverage
Viewfinder magnification
Videography features
Resolutions
File Format
Microphone
Speaker
Optics & Focus
Autofocus
Digital zoom
Manual focus
Number of focus points
Lens mount
Focal length multiplier
Physical
Weight (inc. batteries)
Dimensions
Environmentally sealed
Battery
Battery details
Battery Life (CIPA)
Storage
Storage types
Storage included
Connectivity
USB
HDMI
Wireless notes
Remote control
Other features
Orientation sensor
Timelapse recording
GPS
GPS notes
Samples
Videos

Main
Model
Nikon D3S
Price
Advantages
PHOTOGRAPHY FEATURES Continuous drive: 11.0 fps
SCREEN / VIEWFINDER Screen dots: 921,000
VIDEOGRAPHY FEATURES Microphone: Stereo
PHYSICAL Weight (inc. batteries): 1240 g (2.73 lb / 43.74 oz)
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Main
Model
Nikon D3X
Price
Advantages
SENSOR Effective pixels: 25 megapixels
SENSOR Max resolution: 6048 x 4032
SENSOR Sensor photo detectors: 26 megapixels
PHYSICAL Battery Life (CIPA): 4400
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launch
Announced
Oct 14, 2009
Body type
Camera subcategory
Large SLR
Sensor
Effective pixels
12 megapixels
Max resolution
4256 x 2832
Sensor size
Full frame (36 x 23.9 mm)
Sensor type
CMOS
Processor
Expeed
Image ratio w:h
5:4, 3:2
Other resolutions
3552 x 2832, 3552 x 2368, 3184 x 2128, 2784 x 1848, 2656 x 1776, 2128 x 1416, 2080 x 1384, 1776 x 1416, 1776 x 1184, 1392 x 920
Sensor photo detectors
13 megapixels
Image
ISO
200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800 (100-102400 with boost)
Boosted ISO (minimum)
100
Boosted ISO (maximum)
102400
White balance presets
12
Custom white balance
Yes (4)
Image stabilization
No
Uncompressed format
RAW + TIFF
JPEG quality levels
Fine, Normal, Basic
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed
30 sec
Maximum shutter speed
1/8000 sec
Aperture priority
Yes
Shutter priority
Yes
Manual exposure mode
Yes
Subject / scene modes
No
Built-in flash
No
External flash
Yes (Hot-shoe plus Sync connector)
Flash modes
Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Continuous drive
11.0 fps
Self-timer
Yes (2 to 20 sec)
Metering modes
- Multi
- Center-weighted
- Spot
Exposure compensation
±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps)
AE Bracketing
±3 (2, 3, 5, 7 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps)
WB Bracketing
Yes (2 to 9 frames in either blue/amber or magenta/green axis))
Screen / viewfinder
Articulated LCD
Fixed
Screen size
3″
Screen dots
921,000
Touch screen
No
Screen type
Low-temperature polysilicon TFT color LCD
Live view
Yes
Viewfinder type
Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage
100%
Viewfinder magnification
0.7×
Videography features
Resolutions
1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps), 320 x 216 (24 fps)
File Format
Motion JPEG
Microphone
Stereo
Speaker
None
Optics & Focus
Autofocus
- Contrast Detect (sensor)
- Phase Detect
- Multi-area
- Selective single-point
- Single
- Continuous
- Live View
Digital zoom
No
Manual focus
Yes
Number of focus points
51
Lens mount
Nikon F
Focal length multiplier
1×
Physical
Weight (inc. batteries)
1240 g (2.73 lb / 43.74 oz)
Dimensions
160 x 157 x 88 mm (6.3 x 6.18 x 3.46″)
Environmentally sealed
Yes (Water and dust resistant)
Battery
Battery Pack
Battery details
Lithium-Ion EN-EL4a rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)
4200
Storage
Storage types
Compact Flash (Type I or II) x 2, UDMA
Storage included
None
Connectivity
USB
USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
HDMI
Yes
Wireless notes
Optional
Remote control
Yes
Other features
Orientation sensor
Yes
Timelapse recording
Yes
GPS
Optional
GPS notes
GP-1
Watch sample photos
Watch video reviews

launch
Announced
Dec 1, 2008
Body type
Camera subcategory
Large SLR
Sensor
Effective pixels
25 megapixels
Max resolution
6048 x 4032
Sensor size
Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm)
Sensor type
CMOS
Processor
Expeed
Image ratio w:h
3:2
Other resolutions
5056 x 4032, 4544 x 3024, 3968 x 2640, 3792 x 3024, 3024 x 2016, 2976 x 1976, 2528 x 2016, 1984 x 132
Sensor photo detectors
26 megapixels
Image
ISO
100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 (50-6400 with boost)
Boosted ISO (minimum)
50
Boosted ISO (maximum)
6400
White balance presets
12
Custom white balance
Yes (5)
Image stabilization
No
Uncompressed format
RAW + TIFF
JPEG quality levels
Fine, Normal, Basic
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed
30 sec
Maximum shutter speed
1/8000 sec
Aperture priority
Yes
Shutter priority
Yes
Manual exposure mode
Yes
Subject / scene modes
No
Built-in flash
No
External flash
Yes (Hot-shoe, Wireless plus sync connector)
Flash modes
Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain
Continuous drive
5.0 fps
Self-timer
Yes (2 to 20 sec, custom)
Metering modes
- Multi
- Center-weighted
- Spot
Exposure compensation
±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps)
AE Bracketing
(2, 3, 5, 7 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps)
WB Bracketing
Yes (2 to 9 frames either blue/amber or magenta/green axis)
Screen / viewfinder
Articulated LCD
Fixed
Screen size
3″
Screen dots
920,000
Touch screen
No
Screen type
Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Live view
Yes
Viewfinder type
Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage
100%
Viewfinder magnification
0.7×
Videography features
Resolutions
—
File Format
—
Microphone
None
Speaker
—
Optics & Focus
Autofocus
- Contrast Detect (sensor)
- Phase Detect
- Multi-area
- Selective single-point
- Single
- Continuous
- Live View
Digital zoom
No
Manual focus
Yes
Number of focus points
51
Lens mount
Nikon F
Focal length multiplier
1×
Physical
Weight (inc. batteries)
1260 g (2.78 lb / 44.45 oz)
Dimensions
160 x 157 x 88 mm (6.3 x 6.18 x 3.46″)
Environmentally sealed
Yes (Water and dust resistant)
Battery
Battery Pack
Battery details
Lithium-Ion EN-EL4a rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)
4400
Storage
Storage types
Compact Flash (Type I or II) x 2, UDMA
Storage included
None
Connectivity
USB
USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
HDMI
Yes (Mini Type C)
Wireless notes
—
Remote control
Yes
Other features
Orientation sensor
Yes
Timelapse recording
Yes
GPS
Optional
GPS notes
GP-1
Watch sample photos
Watch video reviews

Summary

The Nikon D3X maximum resolution of 6048 x 4032 pixels (25 megapixels) is better than the Nikon D3S maximum resolution of 4256 x 2832 pixels (12 megapixels).

The Nikon D3S screen is better as it offers more screen dots 921,000 in comparison to 920,000 dots of the Nikon D3X display. The higher dot count screen is better for reviewing pictures on your camera.

The Nikon D3X battery life is better than the Nikon D3S battery life. In accordance with CIPA standards the photographer will be able to take 4400 photos with the D3X and only 4200 with the D3S. The Nikon D3S weighs 1240g which is 20g less than the weight of the D3X.

The Nikon D3S and the Nikon D3X have the same number of pros but as the D3X has better maximum resolution which is a very important specification then this model will be the best buy.