Key Features
12.3-megapixel DX-format CMOS Image Sensor
Delivers stunning high resolution, low-noise images with striking detail and tonal gradation.
Nikon EXPEED Image Processing
Drives breathtakingly rich image fidelity, low noise and fast image processing.
One-button Live View
Hand-held and Tripod Live View Modes, activated with one-button, for challenging studio and remote shooting conditions.
Low Noise ISO Sensitivity from 200 to 3200
Additional expanded ISO settings of Lo-1 (ISO 100 equivalent) and Hi-1 (ISO 6400 equivalent) extend versatility to match shooting requirements.
1,005-Pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II
Nikon’s unique RGB metering—the only sensor that also evaluates color information when determining exposures with remarkable accuracy..
Dual memory card slots (CF and SD)
Assign card functions from a variety of storage options, optimizing available memory and file handling.
Picture Control Settings
Select from 4 preset image capture preferences (Standard, Neutral, Vivid and Monochrome, plus 9 user customizable settings) controlling Sharpening, Contrast, Brightness, Saturation and Hue.
In-Camera Image Editing
Exclusive in-camera image editing, featuring Edit movie, D-Lighting, Image Overlay, Monochrome, NEF (RAW) processing and more.
100% Viewfinder Accuracy
Up to 950 shots per EN-EL3e battery charge*
Shoot as many as 2,950 shots with the body’s EN-EL3e battery installed and the optional MB-D10 Multi-Power Battery Pack with an EN-EL4a Rechargeable Li-ion Battery*.
* based on CIPA standards/guidelines.
Continuous Shooting up to 7 fps
High speed shooting and fast response—essential to versatile performance in a wide variety of shooting disciplines.
D-Movie HD Video
Capture striking 24 fps, 720p HD movie clips, enhanced by NIKKOR interchangeable lens quality and versatility—featuring external stereo Mic input and AF operation.
3-inch Super-density 921,000-dot VGA LCD Monitor
Every monitor is factory-calibrated to assure accurate color for critical still image review and Live View or D-Movie shooting.
Fast, Accurate 51-point Autofocus
Features 4 Dynamic AF modes including 3D Focus Tracking for precise autofocus and razor sharp images.
Scene Recognition System
Referencing an onboard image database and teamed with RGB metering, SRS enables even more sophisticated determination of exposures and auto white balance, along with faster, more accurate autofocus.
Dynamic Integrated Dust Reduction System
Ultrasonic process combats the accumulation of dust in front of the image sensor, safeguarding image quality.
Nikon's Active D-Lighting
Optimizes shadow and highlight detail in real time—Selectable values and 5-frame ADL bracketing offer complete control.
Rugged and Durable
The strength and precision of magnesium-alloy construction with advanced dust and moisture countermeasures is teamed with a shutter mechanism tested to beyond 150,000 cycles for real-world reliability.
Virtual Horizon Graphic Indicator
Price (when new)
$1,699.95
Year Introduced
2009
Lens Mount
Nikon F bayonet mount
Picture Angle
Effective picture angle 1.5x (Approx.) conversion factor (Nikon DX format)
Effective Pixels
12.3 million
Total Pixels
13.1 million
Sensor Size
23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor Type
CMOS
Sensor Format
DX
Dust-Off Reference Photo
Yes
Image Area
DX-format
(L) 4288 x 2848
(M) 3216 x 2136
(S) 2144 x 1424
(L) 4288 x 2848
(M) 3216 x 2136
(S) 2144 x 1424
File Format
Uncompressed 12/14-bit NEF (RAW), Compressed 12/14-bit NEF (RAW, Lossless compressed): approx. 60-80 percent, JPEG: JPEG-baseline-compliant; can be selected from Size Priority and Optimal Quality, TIFF (RGB)
Picture Control
Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome
Storage Media
SD, SDHC, CompactFlash (Type I), CompactFlash (Type II)
Card Slot
1 CompactFlash© & 1 Secure Digital (SD)
File System
Compliant with DCF (Design Rule for Camera File System) 2.0, DPOF (Digital Print Order Format), EXIF 2.21 (Exchangeable Image File Foramt for Digital Still Cameras
Viewfinder
Eye-level pentamirror single-lens reflex viewfinder
Viewfinder Frame Coverage
100% Approx.
Viewfinder Magnification
0.94x (50mm f/1.4 lens at infinity; -1.0 m⁻¹) Approx.
Viewfinder Eyepoint
19.5 (-1.0m⁻¹)
Viewfinder Diopter Adjustment
-2.0 to +1.0m⁻¹
Focusing Screen
BriteView Clear Matte Mark II screen - Type-B
Reflex Mirror
Quick-return type
Depth-of-field Control
Yes
Compatible Lenses
D-/G-type AF NIKKOR (excluding IX NIKKOR lenses): All functions possible (excluding PC Micro- NIKKOR)
AF NIKKOR other than D-/G-type (excluding lenses for F3AF): All functions except 3D-Color Matrix Metering II possible
AI-P NIKKOR: All functions supported except autofocus and 3D Color Matrix Metering II
Non-CPU AI NIKKOR: Can be used in exposure modes A and M; electronic rangefinder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster; Color Matrix Metering and aperture value display supported if user provides lens data
DX AF NIKKOR: All functions possible
AF NIKKOR other than D-/G-type (excluding lenses for F3AF): All functions except 3D-Color Matrix Metering II possible
AI-P NIKKOR: All functions supported except autofocus and 3D Color Matrix Metering II
Non-CPU AI NIKKOR: Can be used in exposure modes A and M; electronic rangefinder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster; Color Matrix Metering and aperture value display supported if user provides lens data
DX AF NIKKOR: All functions possible
Shutter Type
Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane
Fastest Shutter Speed
1/8000 sec. in steps of 1/3
1/2
1 EV
1/2
1 EV
Slowest Shutter Speed
30 sec. in steps of 1/3
1/2
1 EV
1/2
1 EV
Flash Sync Speed
Up to 1/250 sec.
Bulb Shutter Setting
Yes
Shutter Release (Shooting) Modes
Single-frame [S] mode, Continuous low-speed [CL] mode, Continuous high-speed [CH] mode, Live View [LV] mode, Self-timer mode, Quiet shutter-release, Mirror-up [Mup] mode
Top Continuous Shooting Speed (FPS)
7
Self-timer
2, 5, 10, 20 sec. Timer duration electronically controlled
Exposure Metering System
1,005-pixel RGB sensor 3D Color Matrix Metering II
Variable Center-weighted
Spot
Variable Center-weighted
Spot
Metering Range
0 to 20 EV (Matrix or center-weighted metering at ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens, at 20°C/68°F)
2 to 20 EV (Spot metering at ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens at 20°C/68°F)
2 to 20 EV (Spot metering at ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens at 20°C/68°F)
Exposure Meter Coupling
CPU
AI
AI
Exposure Modes
Programmed Auto with flexible Program (P), Shutter-Priority Auto (S), Aperture-Priority Auto (A), Manual (M)
Exposure Compensation
±5 EV in increments of 1/3
1/2
1
1/2
1
Exposure Bracketing
Yes
Exposure Lock
Yes
Mirror Lock Up
Yes
Lowest Standard ISO Sensitivity
200 in steps of 1/3
1/2
1 EV
1/2
1 EV
Highest Standard ISO Sensitivity
3200 in steps of 1/3
1/2
1 EV
1/2
1 EV
Highest Expanded ISO Sensitivity
3200 in steps of 1/3
Expanded ISO Sensitivity Options
Lo-1 (ISO 100 equivalent) in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV
Hi-1 (ISO 6400 equivalent) in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV
Hi-1 (ISO 6400 equivalent) in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV
Long Exposure Noise Reduction
Yes
High ISO Noise Reduction
Low, Normal, High, Off
Single-point AF Mode
Yes
Dynamic AF Mode
Yes
Auto-area AF Mode
Yes
Autofocus System
TTL phase detection
Nikon Multi-CAM 3500DX autofocus module
Detection range: EV -1 to EV +19 (ISO 100 equivalent, at normal temperature: 20°C/68°F)
51 focus points (15 cross-type sensors)
AF fine adjustment possible
Focal-plane contrast [in LiveView (Tripod) mode]
Nikon Multi-CAM 3500DX autofocus module
Detection range: EV -1 to EV +19 (ISO 100 equivalent, at normal temperature: 20°C/68°F)
51 focus points (15 cross-type sensors)
AF fine adjustment possible
Focal-plane contrast [in LiveView (Tripod) mode]
Focus Lock
AE-L/AF-L button
Half press of shutter-release button (single-point AF in AF-S)
Half press of shutter-release button (single-point AF in AF-S)
Focus Modes
Single-servo AF (S)
Continuous-servo (C)
Manual (M) with electronic rangefinder
Continuous-servo (C)
Manual (M) with electronic rangefinder
Maximum Autofocus Areas/Points
51
Autofocus Fine Tune
Yes
Built-in Flash
Yes
Flash Bracketing
2 to 9 exposures in increments of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1 EV
X-Sync Speed
1/250
FP High Speed Sync
Up to 1/8000
Flash Control
i-TTL Balanced fill-flash, standard i-TTL flash for digital SLR
Flash Sync Modes
Front-curtain sync (normal)
Slow sync
Rear-curtain sync
Red-eye reduction
Red-eye reduction with slow sync
Slow sync
Rear-curtain sync
Red-eye reduction
Red-eye reduction with slow sync
Flash Compensation
Front-curtain sync (normal)
Accessory Shoe
Yes
Flash Sync Terminal
Yes
White Balance
Auto, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Sun, Shade, Preset, Fine Tune by Kelvin color temperature setting
White Balance Bracketing
2 to 9 exposures
Live View Shooting
Handheld mode, Tripod mode
Monitor Size (inch diagonal)
3.0
Monitor Resolution (dots)
921,000
Monitor Type
Super Density
Monitor Viewing Angle
170 degrees
Playback Functions
Full frame, Thumbnail (4, 9, 16 or 72 segments), Zoom, Movie Playback, Slideshow, Histogram display, Auto image rotation
Virtual Horizon Camera Indicator
No
In-Camera Image Editing
Trim, D-Lighting, Color Balance, Image Overlay, Filter Effects, Monochrome, Red-eye Correction, NEF (RAW) Processing
Image Comment
Yes
Voice Memo Function
No
Interface
Hi-speed USB, USB 1.1, NTSC, PAL, HDMI, 10-pin Terminal
WiFi Functionality
Optional WT-4A
GPS
GP-1 GPS unit, GPS unit that conforms to NMEA0183 data protocol
Save/Load Camera settings
Yes
Total custom Settings
48
My Menu
Yes, with customization
Recent Settings
No
Daylight Savings Time Settings
Yes
World Time Setting
Yes
Battery Type
Rechargeable
Batteries
EN-EL3e Lithium-ion Battery
Battery Life (shots per charge)
950 shots (CIPA)
Battery Charger
MH-18a Quick Charger
AC Adapter
EH-5a AC & EP-5
Tripod Socket
¼ inch 20
Dimensions (mm)
(147mm)
Dimensions (inch)
5.8 in.
Weight (grams)
(840g)
Weight (lbs)
30 oz.
Supplied Accessories
* EN-EL3e Rechargeable Li-ion Battery
* MH-18a Quick Charger
* UC-E4 USB Cable
* EG-D2 Video Cable
* AN-DC4 Strap
* BM-8 LCD monitor cover
* Body cap
* DK-5 Eyepiece Cap
* DK-23 Rubber Eyecup
* Software Suite CD-ROM
* MH-18a Quick Charger
* UC-E4 USB Cable
* EG-D2 Video Cable
* AN-DC4 Strap
* BM-8 LCD monitor cover
* Body cap
* DK-5 Eyepiece Cap
* DK-23 Rubber Eyecup
* Software Suite CD-ROM
