The D3 enables continuous shooting at approximately 9 frames per second for 12.1 megapixel images. In addition, when [DX format (24 x 16)] (5.1 megapixels) is selected, approximately 11 frames per second is made possible. With these advanced features in picture quality, sensitivity and speed, the D3 meets the many diverse requirements and demands of customers, including professionals.

New large image sensor developed by Nikon; 12.1 effective megapixels
Wide sensitivity range
High-speed performance
EXPEED — Nikon’s image processing concept embodied
Picture Control System
AF system employing high-density 51-point AF
Scene Recognition System
Three image areas available
High-definition, 3-inch VGA, TFT LCD monitor with wide-viewing angle
Two Liveview modes available
Optical finder with 100% frame coverage and 0.7x magnification in FX format
Superior durability
CF card double slot
Exclusive Wireless Transmitter WT-4 (optional)
Active D-Lighting
Fine adjustment function for AF
Improved Function button feature
HDMI output (High-Definition TV) supported
Info display
Digital level incorporated
Image-management software ViewNX/Nikon Transfer inluded in the optional Software Suite CD-ROM
Designed by Giugiaro

SPECIFICATIONS

Type of Camera: Single-lens reflex digital camera
Effective Pixels: 12.1 million
Image Sensor: Nikon FX format (36.0 x 23.9 mm) CMOS sensor; total pixels: 12.87 million
Image Size: (Pixels) FX format: 4,256 x 2,832 [L], 3,184 x 2,120 [M], 2,128 x 1,416 [S]; 5:4 (30 x 24): 3,552 x 2,832[L], 2,656 x 2,120 [M], 1,776 x 1,416 [S]; DX format: 2,784 x 1,848 [L], 2,080 x 1,384 [M], 1,392 x 920 [S]
Sensitivity: ISO 200 to 6,400 in steps of 1/3 EV, plus HI-0.3, HI-0.5, HI-0.7, HI-1 (ISO 12,800) and HI-2 (ISO 25,600); sensitivity decreases approx. LO-0.3, LO-0.5, LO-0.7 and LO-1 (ISO 100)
File Format: NEF (12/14-bit lossless compressed [approx. 60-80%] RAW), NEF (12/14-bit compressed [45-60% ]), JPEG(Baseline-compliant)
File System: Compliant with DCF 2.0, DPOF and Exif 2.21
Storage Media: CompactFlash™ (CF) Card (Type I/II, compliant with UDMA) and Microdrive™
Shooting Modes: 1) Single frame shooting [S] mode, 2) Continuous low shooting [CL] mode: 1-9 fps, 3) Continuous high shooting [CH] mode: 9 fps (9-11 fps with DX format), 4) Liveview [LV] mode, 5) Self-timer mode, 6) Mirror-up
White Balance: Auto (TTL white balance with 1,005-pixel RGB sensor, and main image sensor); Incandescent, Fluorescent, Direct sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Choose colour temp., White balance preset
LCD Monitor Size: 3.0-in.
LCD Monitor 3.0", 920,000-dot, low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD, allows up to 170-degree viewing angle
Playback Function: 1) Full frame, 2) Thumbnail, 3) Zoom, 4) Slide show, 5) Histogram indication, 6) Shooting data, 7) Highlight point display, 8) Auto image rotation
Delete Function: 1) Card format, 2) All frames delete, 3) Selected frames delete
I/O Terminal NTSC or PAL (selectable); simultaneous playback from both the video output and on the LCD monitor available
Interface: USB 2.0 (High-speed): Mass Storage and PTP selectable
Picture Angle: (in 35mm [135] format equivalent) Equivalent to angle produced by lens focal length (1.5x lens focal length when DX format is selected)
ViewFinder Type: Optical
Viewfinder Fixed eye-level pentaprism; built-in diopter adjustment (-3 to +1.0 m-1), Eyepiece shutter provided
Eyepoint: 18 mm (-1.0 m-¹)
Focusing Screen: Type B BriteView Clear Matte VI screen
Viewfinder Frame Coverage/Magnification (with 50mm lens at infinity; -1.0 m-1) Approx. 100%/ Approx. 0.7x
Reflex Mirror: Automatic, instant-return type
Lens Aperture: Instant-return type, with Depth-of-field preview button
Autofocus: TTL phase detection, 51 focus points (15 cross-sensors) by Nikon Multi-CAM 3500FX autofocus module; Detection range: -1 to +19 EV (ISO 100 at 20°C/68°F); Focal-plane contrast [in Liveview (Tripod) mode].
Focus Modes: 1) Single-servo AF (AF-S), 2) Continuous-servo AF (AF-C), 3) Focus tracking automatically activated according to subject status, 3) Manual focus (M) with electronic rangefinder can be selected from 51 focus area
Focus Lock: Focus can be locked by pressing shutter-release button halfway (Single-servo AF) or by pressing AE-L/AF-L button
Exposure Metering System: 1) 3D-Color Matrix Metering II (type G and D lenses); Color Matrix Metering II (other CPU lenses, Non-CPU lenses require manual input of lens data) performed by 1,005-segment RGB sensor, 2) Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 8, 15 or 20mm circle in center of frame, or weighting based on average of entire frame; 3) Spot: Meters 4mm circle (about 1.5% of frame) centered on active focus area (on center focus area when non-CPU lens is used)
Exposure Metering Range: (at normal temperature [68°F/20°C], ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens) 1) 0 to 20 EV (3D-Color Matrix or center-weighted metering), 2) 2 to 20 EV (Spot metering)
Exposure Metering Coupling CPU and AI (Automatic maximum aperture Indexing)
Exposure Control: 1) Programmed Auto [P], 2) Shutter-Priority [S], 3) Aperture-Priority [A], 4) Manual [M]
Auto Exposure Lock: Exposure locked at detected value with AE-L/AF-L button
Auto Exposure Bracketing: 2 to 9 exposures in increments of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1 steps to (+-) 1.0 EV
Maximum Shutter: 1/8000
Minimum Shutter: 30
Shutter: Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal plane shutter; 30 to 1/8000sec in steps of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV plus bulb
Sync Contact: X-contact only; flash synchronization at up to 1/250 sec
Flash Control: TTL flash control by combined five-segment TTL multi sensor with single-component IC and 1,005-pixel RGB sensor
Flash Sync Modes: 1) Front-curtain sync, 2) Red-eye reduction, 3) Red-eye reduction with Slow sync, 4) Slow sync, 5) Rear-curtain sync
Accessory Shoe: Standard ISO hot-shoe contact with safety lock
Sync Terminal: ISO 519 standard terminal, with built-in rubber cap
Self-Timer: Electronically controlled timer with duration of 2, 3, 10 or 20 s.
Depth of Field Preview Button: Yes
Remote Control: Via 10-pin Remote Cord MC-22/30/36 (optional) or Wireless Remote Control WT-4 (optional)
GPS NMEA 0183 (Ver. 2.01 and 3.01) interface standard supported with 9-pin D-sub cable (optional) and GPS Cable MC-35 (optional)
Supported Languages: Total of 15 languages: German, English, Spanish, Finnish, French, Italian, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Swedish, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Japanese, and Korean
Power Requirements: Rechargeable EN-EL4a/EL4 Li-ion Battery, EH-6 AC adapter (optional)
Tripod Socket: 1/4 in. (ISO 1222)
Dimensions: Approx. 159.5 x 157 x 87.5 mm
Weight: (without battery, memory card or body cap) Approx. 1,240 g