 | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Maker | Nikon |
| Type | Digital single lens reflex camera |
| Released | 23 August 2007 |
| Lens | |
| Lens | Interchangeable,Nikon F mount |
| Sensor/medium | |
| Sensor | 36 mm × 23.9 mmCMOS, Nikon FX format |
| Sensor maker | Nikon[1] |
| Maximumresolution | 12.0 effectivemegapixels (4,256 × 2,832 pixels) |
| Film speed | ISO equivalency 200 to 6400 in 1/3, 1/2 or 1.0 EV steps, boosted: 100 to 25,600 |
| Recording medium | 2CompactFlash (Type I or Type II) |
| Focusing | |
| Focus modes | Single Area AF, Dynamic AF with Focus Tracking and Lock-on, Closest Subject Priority, Group Dynamic AF |
| Focus areas | 51 area TTL |
| Focus bracketing | n/a |
| Exposure/metering | |
| Exposure modes | Program Auto [P], Shutter Priority Auto [S], Aperture Priority Auto [A], Manual [M] |
| Exposuremetering | TTL full aperture exposure metering system |
| Metering modes | 3D Color Matrix Metering II, Centre Weighted, Spot |
| Flash | |
| Flash | n/a |
| Flash bracketing | n/a |
| Shutter | |
| Shutter | Electromagnetically controlled vertical travel focal plane shutter |
| Shutter speed range | 30 to 1/8000 second and bulb |
| Continuous shooting | 9 frame/s up to 17/64 (RAW/JPEG Fine), 11 frame/s for DX mode (without autofocus) |
| Viewfinder | |
| Viewfinder | Optical type fixed eye level pentaprism, 100% coverage |
| Image processing | |
| White balance | Auto, Presets (5), Manual, and Color temperature in kelvins |
| WB bracketing | 2 to 9 frames, 10, 20, 30MIRED steps |
| General | |
| LCD screen | 3 inch, 307,000 pixels (922,000 dots), VGA |
| Battery | Lithium ion EN-EL4a |
| Optionalbattery packs | AC adapter EH-6 |
| Weight | 1,240 g (2.73 lb) |
| Made in |  Japan |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Nikon D3S |
TheNikon D3 is a 12.0-megapixel professional-gradefull frame (35 mm)digital single lens reflex camera (DSLR) announced by theNikon Corporation on 23 August 2007 along with theNikon D300DX format camera. It was Nikon's first full-frame DSLR. The D3, along with theNikon D3X, was a flagship model in Nikon's line ofDSLRs, superseding theD2Hs andD2Xs. It was replaced by theD3S as Nikon's flagship DSLR. The D3, D3X, D3S, D4, D4s, D5, D6, D700, D800, D800Е and Df are the only NikonFX format DSLRs manufactured in Japan.[citation needed] The D3S was replaced by theD4 in 2012.
The D3 features a full-frame35 mm equivalentCMOS image sensor measuring 23.9 mm × 36.0 mm.[2] This sensor is larger than theDX format sensors of all previous NikonDSLRs, and Nikon has coined the term "FX format" to describe it. While the D3's sensor has larger pixels than some previous DX sensors,[3] some previous DX sensors have larger pixels.[4] The design of the D3's CMOS sensor allows for greater light sensitivity than previous DX CCD sensors.[5] This allows the camera to reach higher equivalentfilm speeds and produce images with less noise in low light situations. Low light situations include times when the camera is operated at highshutter speed or highf number, where the lens' aperture is reduced to improvedepth of field andsharpness. The sensor captures image data at 14 bits per color channel through 12-channel parallel readout, which ensures 9 frame/s continuous shooting with higherbit depth than that on previous 12-bit sensors.
Processed with the new NikonEXPEED engine, theLive View mode in D3, along with D300, was Nikon's first implementation in its DSLR line-up. D3 also uses astepper motor in aperture coupling mechanism for the first time,[6] allowing real time depth of field control in Live View with exposure preview and livehistogram functions. Additionally, D3 provides alossless algorithm applied to RAW file along with uncompressed andlossy-compressed format.
The camera grip and body style were designed byGiorgetto Giugiaro's Italdesign.[7][8] The camera body uses theNikon 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.[9] In this firmware version, the maximumISO sensitivity allowed under Automatic ISO can be modified in increments the same as the manual ISO settings can, and automaticWhite balance and focus tracking are improved. In the 2.01 firmware update, automatic correction of lateralchromatic aberration is standardized, andVignetting ("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 withNikon GP-1GPS.
The D3 is Nikon's first full frameDSLR. 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 theD2Xs andD2Hs.
The camera has avertical 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.[10] 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 filmSLR (various modifiedNikon F,[11]F3,[12]F4,[13]F5[14]) and digitalDSLR cameras like theNikon NASA F4, Nikon basedKodak DCS 460,DCS 660 andDCS 760,Nikon D1,D2X andD2Xs, the D3 is used byNASA, for example inSpace Shuttle missions to theInternational Space Station.[15][16][17]
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.[18]
The DxOMark Sensor rankings issued by DxO Labs placed the Nikon D3 at fourth place behind two medium-format cameras fromPhase One and the subsequentNikon D3X.[19]
The Nikon D3 was also tested by many independent reviewers.[20][21][22]
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.[23]
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.[24]
