What is the sensor size of the Nikon D3?
The Nikon D3 is a digital camera that has a full frame sensor at its core. This imager measures 36.0mm in width and 23.9mm in height, so that the total imaging area of the sensor amounts to 860 mm2.
The D3 provides an image resolution of 12.1 megapixels, based on 4 256 horizontal pixels and 2 832 vertical pixels.
Sensor size comparison with a film slide
The sensor diagonal measures 43.2mm, which gives rise to a format factor (or crop factor) of 1.0. Therefore, the Nikon D3 is a full-frame camera, as its sensor size corresponds to that of a traditional 35mm film slide or negative.
Sensor specs and performance
The table below compares the sensor specs of the Nikon D3 to those of several similar cameras. The reported DXO values are indicators of the sensor's imaging quality (higher is better), covering color depth (DXO Portrait), dynamic range (DXO Landscape), and high-ISO noise (DXO Sports). Larger sensor cameras tend to outperform cameras of the same generation that are equipped with a smaller imager. On the other hand, larger sensors are more expensive and require bigger and heavier lenses than smaller light receptors.
| Camera Model |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Horiz. Pixels |
Vert. Pixels |
Video Format |
DXO Portrait |
DXO Landscape |
DXO Sports |
DXO Overall |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Nikon D3 | Full Frame | 12.1 | 4256 | 2832 | none | 23.5 | 12.2 | 2290 | 81 | |
| 2. | Canon 1D Mark III | APS-H | 10.1 | 3888 | 2592 | none | 22.7 | 11.7 | 1078 | 71 | |
| 3. | Nikon D5 | Full Frame | 20.7 | 5588 | 3712 | 4K/30p | 25.1 | 12.3 | 2343 | 88 | |
| 4. | Nikon D4S | Full Frame | 16.2 | 4928 | 3280 | 1080/60p | 24.4 | 13.3 | 3074 | 89 | |
| 5. | Nikon D4 | Full Frame | 16.2 | 4928 | 3280 | 1080/30p | 24.7 | 13.1 | 2965 | 89 | |
| 6. | Nikon D3S | Full Frame | 12.1 | 4256 | 2832 | 720/24p | 23.5 | 12.0 | 3253 | 82 | |
| 7. | Nikon D3X | Full Frame | 24.4 | 6048 | 4032 | none | 24.7 | 13.7 | 1992 | 88 | |
| 8. | Nikon D700 | Full Frame | 12.1 | 4256 | 2832 | none | 23.5 | 12.2 | 2303 | 80 | |
| 9. | Nikon D300 | APS-C | 12.2 | 4288 | 2848 | none | 22.1 | 12.0 | 679 | 67 | |
| 10. | Nikon D2Xs | APS-C | 12.2 | 4288 | 2848 | none | 22.2 | 10.9 | 489 | 59 | |
| 11. | Nikon D2X | APS-C | 12.2 | 4288 | 2848 | none | 22.1 | 10.9 | 476 | 59 |
In the United States, the D3 was initially launched in August 2007 at a price of $4,999.
Check D3 offers at
ebay.com
Camera to camera comparisons
In case you are interested in seeing how this camera compares to another one, just use the search menu below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.
| Camera Model | Nikon D3 | |
| Camera Type | Digital single lens reflex | |
| Camera Lens | Nikon F mount lenses | |
| Launch Date | August 2007 | |
| Launch Price | USD 4 999 | |
| Sensor Specs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensor Technology | CMOS | |
| Sensor Format | Full Frame Sensor | |
| Sensor Size | 36.0 x 23.9 mm | |
| Sensor Area | 860 mm2 | |
| Sensor Diagonal | 43.2 mm | |
| Crop Factor | 1.0x | |
| Sensor Resolution | 12.1 Megapixels | |
| Image Resolution | 4 256 x 2 832 pixels | |
| Pixel Pitch | 8.43 μm | |
| Pixel Density | 1.40 MP/cm2 | |
| Moiré control | Anti-Alias filter | |
| Movie Capability | no Video | |
| ISO Setting | 200 - 6 400 ISO | |
| ISO Boost | 100 - 25 600 ISO | |
| Image Processor | EXPEED | |
| DXO Sensor Quality (score) | 81 | |
| DXO Color Depth (bits) | 23.5 | |
| DXO Dynamic Range (EV) | 12.2 | |
| DXO Low Light (ISO) | 2290 | |
| Screen Specs | ||
| Viewfinder Type | Optical viewfinder | |
| Viewfinder Field of View | 100% | |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.70x | |
| Top-Level Screen | Control Panel | |
| LCD Framing | Live View | |
| LCD Size | 3.0 inch | |
| LCD Resolution | 922k dots | |
| LCD Attachment | Fixed screen | |
| Touch Input | No touchscreen | |
| Shooting Specs | ||
| Focus System | Phase-detect AF | |
| Manual Focusing Aid | no Peaking Feature | |
| Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/8000s | |
| Continuous Shooting | 11 shutter flaps/s | |
| Shutter Life Expectancy | 300 000 actuations | |
| Silent Shooting | no E-Shutter | |
| Time Lapse Photography | Intervalometer Built-in | |
| Fill Flash | no On-Board Flash | |
| Storage Medium | CF cards | |
| Single or Dual Card Slots | Dual card slots | |
| Connectivity Specs | ||
| External Flash | Hotshoe | |
| Studio Flash | PC Sync socket | |
| USB Connector | USB 2.0 | |
| HDMI Port | mini HDMI | |
| Wifi Support | no Wifi | |
| Body Specs | ||
| Environmental Sealing | Weathersealed body | |
| Battery Type | EN-EL4a power pack | |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 4300 shots per charge | |
| Body Dimensions |
160 x 157 x 88 mm (6.3 x 6.2 x 3.5 in) |
|
| Camera Weight | 1 300 g (45.9 oz) | |
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