iSyndica

This entry was written by Patrick Dean, editor of the photography news and review website, Neutralday.com.

When Nikon released the D3 in 2007, it was a huge leap forward, not just for Nikon, but for the entire DSLR camera market as well. Compared to its predecessor (Nikon D2h/s), the Nikon D3 was improved in nearly every way, offering substantially more resolution, improved AF capabilities, and shockingly impressive ISO performance. The Nikon D3s offers a much more modest evolutionary change, think of it more as Nikon catching its breath, before the next big leap. Still the changes can be notable, and for the serious professional, it may well be worth the upgrade.

So what exactly has been changed? For starters, the Nikon D3s gets a newly redesigned 12.1 megapixel FX format CMOS sensor, measuring 36×23.9mm, that aids in offering an expanded ISO range of 25,600 to 102,400. Next, the D3s adds Nikon's D-movie mode which provides 720p HD video at 24 fps. Implementation is similar to the Nikon D300s, and like all Nikon models, the D3s records to a AVI file, compressed via Motion JPEG. Microphone and HDMI ports are provided, and though it isn't well documented, the D3s does allow for manual control over exposure. Outside of those two big things, a number of smaller aspects have also been added or improved:

• Larger buffer for more than double successive RAW frames
• Added “Info” and “Live View” buttons
• 5 Active D-lighting settings
• Added the “Quiet Shutter” shooting mode
• Added 1.2x crop option
• In-camera RAW editing
• The inclusion of Nikon’s Dust Reduction System
• Improved algorithm to control “jello” rolling shutter effect in video compared to other Nikon models.

Design and Build

Physically, very little has changed about the Nikon D3s relative to the Nikon D3. On the camera’s rear the Nikon D3s now has a dedicated Live View button, and a new “Info” button which enables an interactive information screen. Outside of these changes (and the odd speaker or microphone holes), the Nikon D3s looks exactly the same as the Nikon D3. It also sports the same build, which is best described as tank-like. The D3s, like the D3, inspires a great degree of confidence for photographers who use and abuse their cameras in tough environments. It also feels better than its competitor, the Canon EOS 1D Mark IV, at least on a purely tactile basis.

Ergonomics and camera layout are pretty good, though I personally feel the the ISO button is poorly placed (other buttons can be reprogrammed though). Comparing layout with the Canon EOS 1D Mark IV is a little difficult, everbody has their own preferences, but one thing Nikon does with its pro-type bodies is rely on a number of switches for some camera controls, like focus mode, and metering. I like the switches for their ability to be used "blindly" but they can be accidentally moved to other positions when exiting a camera bag. Our only suggestion for Nikon would be adding backlit buttons. When a camera can see in the dark as the D3s can, it'd be nice to be able to adjust the camera in the dark as well.

Interface

Nikon has now thoroughly polished its interface approach across its DSLR lineup, and that continues here with the D3s. Your most frequent experience will be with its info screen, an interactive type display that shows you current camera settings in a clean and aesthetically pleasing way, in addition to providing some camera settings that you can manipulate directly via the D3s' multi-selector. Past that, the D3s's menu system is trademark Nikon, just packed with far more in depth camera customization. Despite being "deep", the menu is pretty simple to make sense of, and navigate through, though I suspect many users will want to have the manual handy to interpret some of the more complicated custom functions.

Performance

Camera performance from the Nikon D3s is inspiring to say the least. Every aspect has been tailored to the interests of serious enthusiasts and professionals. Near instant startup times, a gorgeous viewfinder, and then there's the 9 fps continuous shooting... It all works very well, and with the highly regarded 51 point AF system (possibly slightly tweaked for the D3s), the D3s just has knack for getting the job done. Focusing was fast, even in low light, and tracking dynamic subjects felt very reliable even at the default settings. For more intense action, the D3s provides plenty of options in the menu to dial in just the right settings for your specific subject. For the curious, we briefly had the D3s and the EOS 1D Mark IV at the same time, and largely got the same results from both of the AF systems. I will say that it felt easier with the D3s, but the EOS 1D Mark IV felt smarter, maybe too smart, but one did get the sense that Canon has left things in the photographer's hands a bit more, and with the right custom functions, a photographer could get truly optimal results. In then end though, if my life depended on getting the winning catch at the Superbowl, I'd probably grab the D3s.

Image Quality

Overall image quality from the D3s is very good. Two things stand out for me, the first is the D3s' impressive dynamic range, even when Nikon's Active D-Lighting is turned off. Second and also related, the overall capture accuracy of the D3s. Thanks to Nikon’s “Scene Recognition System”, the D3s has an uncanny ability to capture scenes, “as they were”, really like no other camera we’ve used. I remain quite enamored with its abilities to grab lots of information from challenging scenes that were chosen and intended to show a camera’s weaknesses.

The real highlight of the D3s though is of course its ISO capabilities. With the D3, Nikon brought a new emphasis to ISO performance, and with good reason, the Nikon D3 was and is an incredible low-light performer. That excellence is improved further with the D3s, which thanks to a redesigned sensor, takes ISO all the way up to 102,400. Now, ISO 102,400 isn't really all that usable, but it does help lift everything under it, allowing the D3s to provide a stop and a half better ISO performance than the D3. Through ISO 12,800 things look very good and very usable, but noise becomes bigger and more distracting at ISO 25,600 and more so at ISO 51,200. And how does it compare to the EOS 1D Mark IV? Our tests show the D3s providing a stop better performance than the 1D4, but it only becomes really noticeable after ISO 6400. Both cameras are incredible low light cameras, but the D3s offers better results out of the camera.

Video

The other notable addition to the D3s is Nikon's D-Movie mode which allows the Nikon D3s to shoot 720p HD video at 24 fps to an AVI file via Motion JPEG compression. The D3s has both a HDMI port and a microphone input for stereo sound, and as we mentioned above, it does offer manual exposure control while shooting video. Overall image quality is very good, but it lacks the clarity that you'll find on Canon's 1080p equipped DSLR cameras. Nikon has made improvements that reduce the "jello" effect so common with DSLR cameras, and some filmmakers will like to exploit the D3s' low-light capabilities while shooting video, but we remain puzzled by Nikon's inability to put 1080p on their pro body camera, let alone other options offered by their direct competitor, like the ability to choose frame rates, or film movie clips longer than the Nikon's 5 minute limit.

Conclusion

It isn't the huge leap forward that the D3 was, but the D3s does offer the professional photographer a tool well suited for nearly any endeavor. It misses in a few regards, the limited video options, live view shooting is still not well suited for non-tripod use, and some photographers will simply need more resolution depending on their print output needs. Outside of that though, the D3s leaves precious little to not like. It's an inspiring machine that works well with the photographer, and at times, that works well in spite of the photographer. For pros in need of a camera with a super reliable AF performance, impeccable build, and unbeatable ISO abilities, and who don't own the D3 already, we "Highly Recommend" the Nikon D3s.

Availability

At this moment, availability of the Nikon D3s is hit or miss as early supplies struggle to meet initial demands, but the D3s can be ordered or purchased at your favorite camera retailer now.

• Nikon D3s body only at Amazon
• Nikon D3s body only at B&H Photo

To find out more about the Nikon D3s, please visit Nikon's website: http://www.nikon.com