The Nikon D3S and Why It Is Worth Upgrading To (Unlike the Boring D300S?
Nikon D3S - The Paparazzi's Choice
15 Oct 2009 Ok... It's another "S" model out from Nikon. Considering that the Nikon D3 and the Nikon D300 were released at the same time, the Nikon D3S should come as no surprise following the D300S. Like the D300S, the D3S is released with the D-Movie function and is the first FX format DSLR with movie feature. Before you get bored thinking that it is just another minor upgrade, think again.
Nikon D3 broke into the market with its blistering speed of 9fps and high ISO noise management. The Nikon D3S is very much a successor to that legacy. While maintaining the continuous burst speed, with a new CMOS sensor that promises improved signal-to-noise ratio and also a wider dynamic range, the Nikon D3S offers a surprisingly high extended ISO range from 100 to 102400. Yes, you did not read it wrong and it is certainly not a typing error. With the next best spec comparable being ISO 25600, the offer of ISO 102400 (albeit being an extended "Hi-3" setting) makes the Nikon D3S a very attractive product to consider. Of course, we will have to look at the IQ of the results but it would certainly to safe to reason that we would be getting very usable results even at ISO 3200 if not higher.
Another improvement, and certainly something the paparazzi would love, is the quiet shooting mode. Clearly and quietly capturing celebrities from the dark shadows, the D3S also offers in-camera RAW processing. This feature enables JPEG compression as well as settings for Size, White Balance, Exposure Compensation, Picture Control, Noise Reduction, Colour space and Vignette Control to be applied to RAW files. So if you don't have your laptop with you in that dark corner, simply modify your images on your D3S, transfer the file wirelessly (with the optional Wireless Transmitter, WT-4) to your smart phone and email your editor so that he can give you front page for the latest scoop. Nice!
Build to the same dimension and toughness as the D3 and D3X, the D3S will give you the same bulky toughness that just invites any punishment you may inflict upon it. For different aspect shooting, there are now three alternative crop modes (normal DX Crop, DX format 5:4 & 1.2x Crop) for enhance shooting flexibility. All the other excellent features of the D3 are also included such as the Multi-CAM3500FX 51-point AF system, 920,000 dots 3-inch VGA LCD, EXPEED image processing engine and a HDMI video output interface (now mini-HDMI though). You also have an advanced image sensor cleaning function which helps keep the sensor free of dust or blemishes on the D3S.
Although the Nikon D3S is a "S" change similar to the Nikon D300S, it is definitely a camera which inspires more interest from us and one that we will be looking forward to test. The ISO sensitivity alone will see lots of it if Nikon delivers the IQ. We are definitely putting this on the DigitalRev watch list and will deliver our detailed review once we have a production sample in our hands.
Nikon D3 broke into the market with its blistering speed of 9fps and high ISO noise management. The Nikon D3S is very much a successor to that legacy. While maintaining the continuous burst speed, with a new CMOS sensor that promises improved signal-to-noise ratio and also a wider dynamic range, the Nikon D3S offers a surprisingly high extended ISO range from 100 to 102400. Yes, you did not read it wrong and it is certainly not a typing error. With the next best spec comparable being ISO 25600, the offer of ISO 102400 (albeit being an extended "Hi-3" setting) makes the Nikon D3S a very attractive product to consider. Of course, we will have to look at the IQ of the results but it would certainly to safe to reason that we would be getting very usable results even at ISO 3200 if not higher.
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