Key Features
12.3-megapixel DX-format CMOS imaging sensor: Coupled with Nikon's EXPEED image processing technologies and NIKKOR optics, breathtaking image fidelity is assured.
World’s first D-SLR with an HD movie mode: Record exceptional 24fps movie clips with sound at up to 720p HD (1280 x 720 pixels) in Motion JPEG format, enhanced by NIKKOR interchangeable lens quality and versatility.
3-inch super-density 921,000-dot color LCD monitor: High resolution, 170-degree wide-angle viewing guarantees confident image review and movie playback.
11-point AF system: Consistently fast and accurate autofocus, reinforced by the Nikon Scene Recognition System, delivers razor sharpness in a wide variety of conditions.
Nikon 3D Color Matrix Metering II with Scene Recognition System: Nikon's renowned 420-pixel RGB 3D Color Matrix Metering II, teamed with the exclusive Scene Recognition System, evaluates images, referencing an on-board database of over 30,000 photographic scenes, for unmatched exposure accuracy.
Auto Active D-Lighting: Selectable and Automatic, Active D-Lighting optimizes details within shadows and highlights, taming high-contrast situations in real time.
In-Camera Image Editing: Creative freedom stems from exclusive in-camera image editing, featuring Fisheye effect, Straighten and Distortion Control as well as D-Lighting, Red-eye Reduction, Image Overlay, Monochrome and more.
Continuous shooting as fast as 4.5 frames-per-second: Combined with fast 0.15ms power-up and split-second 65ms shooting lag, dramatic action and decisive moments are captured easily.
Low noise ISO sensitivity from 200 to 3200: High signal-to-noise components and design deliver exceptional performance, even at high ISO setting.
Built-in image sensor cleaning: Effective 4-frequency, ultrasonic sensor cleaning frees image degrading dust particles from the sensor's optical low pass filter.
One-button Live View: Easy to use Live View activates access to 3 contrast detection focus modes including Face Priority AF.
Comprehensive exposure control: Five advanced scene modes plus Program Auto, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority and Manual.
Durable, high precision shutter: Testing to over 100,000 cycles assures shutter life and accuracy.
GPS geo-tagging: GP-1 GPS unit (optional) provides automatic real-time geo-tagging.
Price (when new)
$899.95
Year Introduced
2008
Effective Pixels
12.3 million
Total Pixels
12.9 million
Sensor Size
15.8 x 23.6mm
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
Compressed 12-bit NEF (RAW), JPEG: JPEG-baseline-compliant; can be selected from Size Priority and Optimal Quality, AVI
Picture Control
Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome, Portrait, Landscape
Storage Media
SD, SDHC
Card Slot
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
Optical-type fixed eye-level pentaprism
Viewfinder Frame Coverage
96% Approx.
Viewfinder Magnification
0.94x (50mm f/1.4 lens at infinity; -1.0 m⁻¹) Approx.
Viewfinder Eyepoint
19.5mm
Viewfinder Diopter Adjustment
-2.0 to +1.0m⁻¹
Focusing Screen
BriteView Clear Matte Mark II screen - Type-B
Interchangeable Focusing Screens
No
Reflex Mirror
Quick-return type
Depth-of-field Control
Yes
Compatible Lenses
AF Nikkor other than D-type: All functions except 3D Color Matrix Metering and 3D Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash for D1-series possible
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
DX AF NIKKOR: All functions possible
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
DX AF NIKKOR: All functions possible
Shutter Type
Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane
Fastest Shutter Speed
1/4000 sec. in steps of 1/3
1/2
1 EV
1/2
1 EV
Slowest Shutter Speed
1/4000 sec. in steps of 1/3
1/2
1 EV
1/2
1 EV
Flash Sync Speed
1/4000 sec. in steps of 1/3
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
Top Continuous Shooting Speed (FPS)
4.5
Self-timer
2, 5, 10, 20 sec. Timer duration electronically controlled
Exposure Metering System
420 pixel RGB sensor 3D Color Matrix Metering II
Center-weighted
Spot
Center-weighted
Spot
Metering Range
0 to 20 EV (3D color matrix or center-weighted metering)
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
Exposure Modes
Programmed Auto with flexible Program (P), Shutter-Priority Auto (S), Aperture-Priority Auto (A), Manual (M), Auto, Auto (flash off), Advanced Scene Modes
Exposure Compensation
±5 EV in increments of 1/3
1/2
1
1/2
1
Exposure Bracketing
Yes
Exposure Lock
Yes
Mirror Lock Up
No
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
Nikon Multi-CAM 1000 autofocus sensor module with TTL phase detection
TTL phase detection
11 focus points (including 1 cross-type sensor)
AF-assist illuminator (1.6-9.8 ft./0.5-3.0m approx.)
TTL phase detection
11 focus points (including 1 cross-type sensor)
AF-assist illuminator (1.6-9.8 ft./0.5-3.0m approx.)
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)
Face-Priority AF
Wide area
Normal area
Continuous-servo (C)
Face-Priority AF
Wide area
Normal area
Maximum Autofocus Areas/Points
11
Autofocus Fine Tune
No
Built-in Flash
Yes
Flash Bracketing
2 to 3 exposures in increments of 1/3 to 2 EV
FP High Speed Sync
Up to 1/4000
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
-3 to +1 EV in increments of 1/3 or 1/2 EV
Accessory Shoe
Yes
Flash Sync Terminal
No
White Balance
Auto, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Sun, Shade, Preset, Fine Tune by Kelvin color temperature setting
White Balance Bracketing
2 or 3 exposures
Live View Shooting
Yes
Monitor Size (inch diagonal)
3.0
Monitor Resolution (dots)
921,000
Monitor Type
Super Density
Monitor Viewing Angle
170 degrees
Playback Functions
Full frame, Calendar, Thumbnail (4, 9, 16 or 72 segments), Zoom, Movie Playback, Slideshow, Histogram display, Auto image rotation, Shooting data, Highlight point display, Sound playback
Virtual Horizon Camera Indicator
No
In-Camera Image Editing
Trim, D-Lighting, Color Balance, Image Overlay, Filter Effects, Distortion Control, Monochrome, Red-eye Correction, NEF (RAW) Processing, Quick retouch, Straighten, Fisheye, Small picture
Image Comment
Yes
Interface
Hi-speed USB, NTSC, HDMI
WiFi Functionality
No, Eye-Fi Compatible
GPS
GP-1 GPS unit
Save/Load Camera settings
Yes
Total custom Settings
41
My Menu
Yes, with customization
Recent Settings
Yes
Daylight Savings Time Settings
Yes
World Time Setting
Yes
Battery Type
Rechargeable
Batteries
EN-EL3e Lithium-ion Battery
Battery Life (shots per charge)
850 shots (CIPA)
Battery Charger
MH-18a Quick Charger
AC Adapter
EH-5a
Tripod Socket
¼ inch 20
Dimensions (mm)
(132mm)
Dimensions (inch)
5.2 in.
Weight (grams)
(620g)
Weight (lbs)
22 oz.
Supplied Accessories
* EN-EL3e Rechargeable Li-ion Battery
* MH-18a Quick Charger
* DK-5 Eyepiece Cap
* DK-21 Rubber Eyecup
* UC-E4 USB Cable
* EG-D2 Audio Video Cable
* AN-DC1 Camera Strap
* BM-10 LCD Monitor Cover
* Body Cap
* BS-1 Accessory Shoe Cover
* Software Suite CD-ROM
* MH-18a Quick Charger
* DK-5 Eyepiece Cap
* DK-21 Rubber Eyecup
* UC-E4 USB Cable
* EG-D2 Audio Video Cable
* AN-DC1 Camera Strap
* BM-10 LCD Monitor Cover
* Body Cap
* BS-1 Accessory Shoe Cover
* Software Suite CD-ROM
