Nikon D3 vs Nikon D3X : Compared

Jan 21st, 2009 | By Rosh PR | Category: Hot, Hot Photo, Photography, Review & Comparison, Reviews & Comparisons

Nikon D3	Nikon D3X
The D3 is all about speed and sensitivity, twelve megapixels on a big CMOS chip means large photosites (8.45 µm pitch to be precise) and that adds up to base sensitivity of ISO 200 to 6400 with an additional two stop boost over that (up to ISO 25600). The other side of the speed story (apart from blistering AF and shutter lag) is that the D3 can shoot at nine frames per second with AF tracking or eleven frames per second without. Other headline features are a newly branded EXPEED image processor, a new 51-point AF sensor, color AF tracking, dual CF compartments (with UDMA support), an amazing 3.0″ 922,000 pixel LCD monitor with Live View (including contrast detect auto-focus), HDMI video output and even a virtual horizon function which can tell you when you’re holding the camera perfectly level.	Nikon has announced the D3X, its latest high-resultion professional DSLR. Sporting an imaging sensor with double the number of photosites of the popular D3, the 24.5 megapixel D3x includes similar features such as a 3.0″, 920,000 dot LCD monitor with Live View, 51-point autofocus, EXPEED image processing and HDMI output. To keep up with the demands of stock photography the camera produces 50MB 14-bit RAW files that can be processed to produce 140MB TIFFs. It also supports Nikon’s wireless system and is compatible with Nikon’s new GP-1 GPS unit.

General
Model Name:	Nikon D3	Nikon D3X
Model Number:	D3	D3X
Camera Format:	Pro SLR	Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured:	Yes	Yes
Retail Price:	$4999.95	$7999.95
Street Price:	$4468.56	$7949.00
Price Update Date:	2009-01-20	2009-01-20
Date Available:	2007-11-30	2008-12-15
Remote Control:	Yes	Yes
Remote Control Type:		Wired, 10-pin terminal or USB
Tripod Mount:	Yes	Yes
Tripod Mount Material:	Metal	Metal
Operating System:
Weight:	1414 g 49.4 oz	1220 g 42.7 oz
Weight With Batteries?	Yes	No
Size:	160 x 157 x 88 mm 6.3 x 6.2 x 3.4 in	160 x 157 x 88 mm 6.3 x 6.2 x 3.4 in
Warranty in Months:
Image Capture
Model Name:	Nikon D3	Nikon D3X
Image Resolution:	4256×2832, 3184×2120, 2128×1416, 2784×1848, 2080×1384	6048×4032, 4544×3024, 3024×2016, 5056×4032, 3792×3024
Movie Resolution:
Aspect Ratio:	3:2, 5:4	3:2, 5:4
Imaging Sensor (Megapixels):	12.10	24.50
Sensor Type:	CMOS	CMOS
Sensor Size (inches):	Nikon FX	Nikon FX
Sensor Filter Type:	RGBG	RGBG
Sensor Manufacturer:	Sony	Sony
Focal Length Multiplier:	1.00	1.00
Movie Audio:	No	No
Quality Levels:
Lens
Model Name:	Nikon D3	Nikon D3X
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):
Zoom Ratio:
Digital Zoom:	No	No
Digital Zoom Values:	n/a	n/a
Auto Focus:	Yes	Yes
Auto Focus Type:	51-point TTL phase detection via Nikon Multi-CAM 3500FX with 15 cross-type and 36 line-type sensors	51-point TTL phase detection via Nikon Multi-CAM 3500FX with 15 cross-type and 36 line-type sensors
Auto Focus Assist Light?	No	No
Auto Focus Min Illum:	0.0625
Auto Focus Step:
Manual Focus:	Yes	Yes
Manual Focus Steps:
Normal Focus Range:
Macro Focus Range:
Min Macro Area:
Min Aperture:
Max Aperture:
Aperture Range Description:
Aperture Step Size:
Lens Thread:
Lens Thread Type:
Display
Model Name:	Nikon D3	Nikon D3X
Optical Viewfinder:	Yes	Yes
Optical VF Type:	SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, interchangeable screen, 100%, 0.7x, 18mm eyepoint, -3.0 to +1.0	SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, interchangeable screen, 100%, 0.7x, 18mm eyepoint, -3.0 to +1.0
Optical VF Accuracy:	100%	100%
LCD Viewfinder:	Yes	Yes
LCD VF Accuracy:	100%	100%
LCD Size (inches):	3.0	3.0
LCD Resolution (pixels):	920000	922000
Max Playback Zoom:	27x	27x
Exposure
Model Name:	Nikon D3	Nikon D3X
ISO Settings:	100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 25600	50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400
ISO Rating Max:	25600	6400
Number of White Balance Settings:	9	9
White Balance Settings:	Auto, seven manual modes can be preset with fine-tuning; color temperature setting, custom	Auto, seven manual modes can be preset with fine-tuning; color temperature setting, custom
Manual White Balance:	Yes	Yes
Longest Shutter Time:	30	30
Shortest Shutter Time:	1/8000	1/8000
Exp Adj Range:	5.0 EV	5.0 EV
Exp Adj Step Size:	0.33 EV	0.33 EV
Metering Modes:	1005-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II, Center-weighted, Spot (1.5%) centered on selected focus area	1005-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II, Center-weighted, Spot (1.5%) centered on selected focus area
Spot Metering:	Yes	Yes
Aperture Priority:	Yes	Yes
Shutter Priority:	Yes	Yes
Full Manual Exposure:	Yes	Yes
Self Timer:	2/5/10/20	2/5/10/20
Flash
Model Name:	Nikon D3	Nikon D3X
Internal Flash:	No	No
No of Flash Modes:	n/a	n/a
Flash Modes:	n/a	n/a
Flash Guide Number (Meters):	n/a	n/a
Measured Flash Range, 100 ISO (feet):	n/a	n/a
Flash Range Description:	n/a	n/a
No of Flash “Pops”:	n/a	n/a
Ext Flash:	Yes	Yes
Ext Flash Connection:	ISO-type hot-shoe contact; safety lock provided; PC Sync terminal	ISO-type hot-shoe contact; safety lock provided; PC Sync terminal
Image Storage
Model Name:	Nikon D3	Nikon D3X
Usable Memory Types:	CompactFlash Type 1, CompactFlash Type 2	CompactFlash Type 1, CompactFlash Type 2
Other Memory Types:
Memory Included (MB):
Uncompressed Format:	RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; compr	TIFF; RAW (NEF), 12- or 14-bit
CCD Raw Format:	Yes	Yes
Compressed Format:	JPEG (EXIF 2.21)	JPEG (EXIF 2.21)
Movie File Format:
Connectivity
Model Name:	Nikon D3	Nikon D3X
Video Out:	Yes	Yes
Video Mode Switchable:	Yes	Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder:	Yes	Yes
External Connections:	USB 2.0 High Speed	USB 2.0 High Speed
Other Connection:	HDMI Out, DC Input, 10-pin Expansion Terminal	HDMI Out (Type-A), DC Input, 10-pin Expansion Terminal
Included Software:	PictureProject	Software Suite CD-ROM
OS Compatibility:	Windows, Mac OS	Windows, Mac OS
Performance Timing
Model Name:	Nikon D3	Nikon D3X
Startup Time:	0.3 seconds	0.0 seconds
Shutdown Time:	0.8 seconds
Play -> Record:	0.5 seconds
Record -> Play (max res):	0.6 seconds
Record -> Play (min res):
Shutter Lag, Full AF:	0.085 (W) - 0.088 (T) seconds	n/a
Shutter Lag, Man. Focus:	0.047 seconds
Shutter Lag, Prefocus:	0.043 seconds	0.041 seconds
Cycle Time Uncompressed Format:	0.32 seconds
Cycle Time Max Res:	0.28 seconds
Cycle Time Min Res:	0.20 seconds
Buffer Frames, Max Res:	No limit
Continuous Mode Rate (fps):	9.03	5.00
Movie Mode Rate (Frames/Sec):
Movie Sec @ Max Res:
Movie Sec @ Min Res:
Download speed, KB/second:	2292
Power
Model Name:	Nikon D3	Nikon D3X
Battery Form Factor:	Proprietary EN-EL4a	Proprietary EN-EL4a
Usable Battery Types:	Lithium Ion rechargeable	Lithium Ion rechargeable
Batteries Included:	1 x Proprietary EN-EL4a Lithium Ion rechargeable	1 x Proprietary EN-EL4a Lithium Ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included:	Yes	Yes
Links
Model Name:	Nikon D3	Nikon D3X
Check Prices:	Check Now!	Check Now!
Review URL:	Review D3	Review D3X
Device Forum URL:
Manufacturer URL:	Website	Website
More Information
Model Name:	Nikon D3	Nikon D3X
Notes & Features:	Main features: Nikon’s first full-frame (FX) DSLR; 12.1 megapixels, plus auto DX crop mode; 9fps at 12.1MP, up to 11fps at 5.1MP; Shutter release time lag of only 37 milliseconds, start-up time of 0.12 seconds; Normal ISO range from ISO 200 to 6400 can be extended using the camera’s built-in settings of Lo-1 and Hi-2 for the equivalent of ISO 100 and ISO 25,600, respectively; 14-bit NEFs with 16-bit processing by EXSPEED Image Processing System; New Multi-CAM 3500FX auto focus sensor module, with 51 AF points, including 15 cross-type sensors that are located in the center of the frame; Revolutionary new Scene Recognition System that greatly enhances the accuracy of, auto exposure, auto white balance detection and auto focus in the camera; Super-density, 3-inch VGA, TFT LCD monitor with 920,000 dot resolution; Two new Live View modes; Active D-Lighting system; 100%, 0.7x magnification pentaprism viewfinder; Dual CF card slots with UDMA support; HDMI port; World’s first virtual horizon level indicator that uses sensors incorporated within the camera to indicate the inclination of the camera relative to the horizon, on the LCD monitor or inside the viewfinder; 300,000 cycle shutter with Self Diagnostic Shutter Monitor; Fine-tune adjustment for auto focus with settings for up to 20 different lenses; Optional new WT-4A wireless transmitter that provides support for wired LAN (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX) and wireless LAN (IEEE 802.11a/b/g,) and can transmit a remote view from the camera and also support continuous shooting through a wireless or wired connection using Nikon’s Camera Control Pro 2 software (optional).	24.5MP version of the D3. 5fps full resolution burst speed, 7fps in DX crop mode at 10.5 megapixels.

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One comment
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1. nightingale March 26th, 2009 8:40 am :

   The two camera both have their own advantage. But I like Nikon D3 more!
   Recently I just bought it from Tradestead it works pretty good , make out many high quality pictures , I like it very much!

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