- Capture images to CF I/II cards.
- Fast, accurate 51-point AF with 3D Focus Tracking.
- 3.0-inch, super density 920,000-dot VGA color monitor , 170-degree wide-angle viewing and tempered-glass protection.
- 12.1-megapixel FX-format (23.9 x 36mm) CMOS sensor.
- Continuous shooting at up to 9 frames-per-second at full FX resolution.
- 3.0-inch, super density 920,000-dot VGA color monitor; 170-degree wide-angle viewing and tempered-glass protection.
Product Description
-------------------
Designed with sports photographers and photojournalists in mind,
the Nikon D3 introduces an astounding list of brand new features
and technologies that make it the most sophisticated and advanced
Nikon digital SLR to date. In addition to the new FX- format CMOS
sensor, the D3 incorporates Nikon’s new EXPEED Image Processing
System that is central to the blazing speed and processing power
needed for many of the D3’s new features.
From the Manufacturer
---------------------
Manufacturer Description
Designed with sports photographers and photojournalists in mind,
the Nikon D3 introduces an astounding list of brand new features
and technologies that make it the most sophisticated and advanced
Nikon digital SLR to date. In addition to the new FX- format CMOS
sensor, the D3 incorporates Nikon’s new EXPEED Image Processing
System that is central to the blazing speed and processing power
needed for many of the D3’s new features.
The 12.1 effective megapixel D3 features Nikon’s new FX-format
CMOS sensor, measuring 23.9 x 36mm, which is nearly identical to
the size of 35mm film. With the fastest start-up time, shortest
viewfinder blackout time, and shortest shutter lag of any digital
SLR camera, as well as the capability to shoot up to nine frames
per second at full FX-format resolution, the D3 is the world’s
fastest digital SLR camera in its class.
Images taken with the D3 reflect exceptional overall quality,
broad tonal range and depth, along with extremely low noise
throughout its normal ISO range of 200 to 6400. By setting the
camera to its built-in options of Lo-1 or Hi-2, the ISO range of
the camera can be expanded to the equivalent of ISO 100 or ISO
25,600 respectively, offering unmatched versatility in
practically any shooting situation. The D3 also features an
entirely new 51-point auto focus system with Nikon’s 3D Focus
Tracking feature and two new LiveView shooting modes that allow
photographers to frame a photograph using the camera’s
high-resolution LCD monitor. The D3 uses the world’s first Scene
Re System to greatly enhance the accuracy of auto focus,
auto exposure and auto white balance detection in the camera by
recognizing the subject or scene being photographed and applying
this information to the calculations for the three functions.
The D3 is designed for professional use in demanding conditions.
The exterior of the D3 is crafted of magnesium alloy and the
camera’s shutter mechanism is tested to 300,000-cycle releases.
The 3-inch LCD is strengthened with tempered glass and the D3’s
comprehensive array of rubber kets and seals protect
vulnerable entry points from dust and moisture.
Nikon D3 Digital SLR Highlights
New, 12.1 effective megapixel FX-format (23.9 x 36mm) sensor The
D3’s new and original 12.1 effective megapixel FX-format CMOS
image sensor features a series of technologies that enable it to
deliver superior quality pictures throughout the camera’s
exceptionally broad ISO range. In addition, the sensor’s
high-speed 12-channel readout allows the camera to shoot
12.1-megapixel images at up to nine frames per second.
Wide sensitivity range The camera’s ISO sensitivity range is
extremely broad, allowing photographers to shoot low-noise
photographs in a variety of situations. The camera’s normal range
is from ISO 200 to 6400, and this range 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.
High-speed performance The D3 is designed to deliver high-speed
performance in virtually any situation. With a shutter release
time lag of only 37 milliseconds, camera start-up time of 0.12
seconds, and continuous shooting speed of up to nine frames per
second with full resolution 12.1 megapixel images, the D3 is the
world’s fastest digital SLR camera in its class.* The D3 is also
capable of shooting at up to 11 frames per second when using the
camera’s DX- format mode, with 5.1-megapixel images. The Nikon D3
is also compliant with UDMA memory cards, enabling
speeds of up to 35 megabytes per second.
* As of August, 2007; among cameras featuring an imaging sensor
similar to the size of 35mm film.
New EXPEED Image Processing System The D3 features Nikon’s new
EXPEED Image Processing System that is central to the speed and
processing power of the camera. EXPEED delivers optimized
performance for the camera and its features, and ensures
high-image quality and high-speed image processing.
Versatile new Picture Control System Nikon’s new Picture Control
System, featured in the D3, allows photographers to fine-tune and
adjust fundamental rendering options for their pictures so they
can define the exact tone, sharpening, brightness and saturation
they prefer. They can then port these settings to any other Nikon
camera featuring the Picture Control System, such as the recently
introduced D300, so that even when shooting with different
cameras, they can get consistent tones for all their pictures.
New 51-point auto focus system The D3 features Nikon’s 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.
These cross-type sensors work with all Nikkor lenses, including
those with apertures as small as f/5.6. The D3’s auto focus
system is closely linked with the camera’s innovative Scene
Re System to deliver greater accuracy in subject
detection and focus tracking performance.
Revolutionary new Scene Re System Nikon’s D3 features a
revolutionary new Scene Re System that greatly enhances
the accuracy of auto exposure, auto white balance detection and
auto focus in the camera. The Scene Re System uses the
camera’s built-in, 1,005-pixel RGB metering sensor to recognize
the subject or scene being photographed and detect any movement.
This information helps optimize exposure and white balance
settings for the recognized subject and also enables the camera
to assign appropriate AF points based on any movement of the
subject, ensuring highly precise auto focus tracking performance.
Super-density, 3-inch VGA, TFT LCD monitor with 920,000-dot
resolution The D3 features a gorgeous, ultra high-definition
3-inch LCD monitor with 920,000-dot resolution. The monitor
provides a 170-degree viewing angle and is very effective in
confirming focus on pictures as well as framing a using the
camera’s new LiveView modes.
LiveView shooting with two optimized modes Two new LiveView
modes in the D3 enable photographers to compose their using
the camera’s ultra-high resolution LCD monitor. The Tripod mode
is designed for precise focus and accuracy when the camera is on
a stable platform and the subject is not moving. In this mode,
the camera focuses on the subject using focal-plane contrast and
any point on the LCD screen can be selected as the focus point
for the picture. The second mode, called Handheld mode, allows
photographers to use the camera’s conventional TTL focusing
system, with all 51 points and 15 cross-type points available.
When using this mode, the camera activates focusing immediately
when the shutter button is pressed, to ensure accurate focus.
Active D-Lighting Nikon’s D-Lighting feature in its digital SLR
cameras has proved to be a popular way for photographers to
quickly compensate for dark areas of a picture after it is taken,
without adversely affecting its highlights. The D3 now features
an Active D-Lighting mode that when enabled provides remarkable
real-time highlight and shadow correction with optimized image
contrast. Active D-Lighting produces broader tone reproduction in
both shadows and highlights by controlling highlights and
exposure compensation while applying localized tone control
technology to achieve a more pleasing level of contrast across
the entire image. And because the advantages of Active D-Lighting
are applied as images are captured, image editing time can be
shortened.
Dual CF slots offer memory flexibility Improved usability
Several aspects of the D3’s usability have been refined to offer
professional photographers a satisfying experience when using the
camera. The camera’s optical viewfinder offers a large, bright
image with virtually 100 percent frame coverage and 0.7x
magnification in FX-format. The D3 accepts two CF (Compact Flash)
cards simultaneously for a myriad of options as well as
the ability to copy images between the two cards. Display images
on your HDTV via the HDMI port An integrated HDMI port offers the
ability to view images from the camera directly on a
high-definition television. The D3 also features the 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.
Reliable and durable The D3 is designed to perform reliably and
consistently under the most demanding conditions. The exterior of
the D3 is crafted of magnesium alloy, and numerous seals are used
throughout the body to protect the camera against dust and
moisture. The camera’s shutter employs blades made of a hybrid of
carbon fiber and Kevlar and is tested to 300,000 cycles. The
camera also features a Self Diagnostic Shutter Monitor that
ensures the accuracy and precision of the shutter at all times.
Fine-tune adjustment for auto focus Photographers who need to
make small adjustments to correct differences in focusing can do
so using the D3’s built-in capability to adjust focus specific to
a lens. The camera offers the option of either setting
compensation for a specific lens so adjustment in focus is only
enabled when that particular lens is used, or the camera can
apply a uniform level of compensation for any lens used with the
camera. Users can store settings for up to 20 different lenses if
they prefer to fine-tune the camera’s focusing based on specific
lenses.
Designed for ergonomics, by Giugiaro The D3 is built around the
central theme of ergonomics and the camera’s exterior form is
designed by world renowned Italian design house, Giugiaro. Every
aspect of the D3 is fine-tuned to be ergonomic and help
photographers seamlessly work with the camera. Its slightly
inclined command dial, comfortable hand-grip, and curves on the
pentaprism top, grip and side panels are all part of a new design
theme.