D4 vs D3s vs D3x

jdeg

^ broke something
Staff member
Below is a comparison of the features between the new D4, D3s & D3x:First the differences:
FeatureD4D3sD3x
Price$5,999$5,199$7,999
Effective Pixels16.212.124.5
Sensor Size36.0x23.9mm36.0x23.9mm35.9x24.0mm
Storage MediaCF, XQDCFCF Type I/II, MicroDrive
Slots1 CF & 1 XQD2 CF2 CF
Continuous Shooting (full resolution)10fps (11 w/ AF locked)9fps5fps
ISO100-12,800200-12,800100-1,600
Expandable ISO50/204,800100/102,40050/6,400
Exposure meteringTTL using 91,000-pixel RGB sensor
Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 12mm circle in center of frame
Matrix: 3D color matrix metering III (type G and D lenses); color matrix metering III (other CPU lenses)
Spot: Meters 4mm circle (about 1.5% of frame) centered on selected focus point
1,005-pixel RGB sensor 3D Color Matrix Metering IISpot AF
Variable Center-weighted
Spot meter centered on selected focus point (on center focus point when non-CPU lens is used)
Spot AF
Spot meter centered on selected focus point (on center focus point when non-CPU lens is used)
Image processingEXPEED 3EXPEEDEXPEED
Illuminated buttonsYesnono
Wi-FiWT-5A Wireless TransmitterWT-4A Wireless TransmitterWT-4A Wireless Transmitter
InterfaceHDMI output: Type C mini-pin HDMI connector
Headphone Connector
NTSC
Stereo Microphone Input
Super Speed USB 2.0
10-pin Terminal
HDMI
Hi-speed USB
NTSC
PAL
10-pin Terminal
HDMI
Hi-speed USB
NTSC
PAL
MovieHD 1,920x1,080 / 30 fps
HD 1,920×1,080 / 24 fps
HD 1,280×720 / 30 fps
HD 1,280x720 / 60 fps
VGA 640x424 / 24 fps
QVGA 320x216 / 24fps
Movie with sound
HD 1280x720 / 24 fps
no video
Movie CompressionH.264/MPEG-4 Advanced Video Codingn/a
Record video to external deviceYes, via HDMI portnon/a
Movie audiobuilt-in microphone
external stereo microphone jack
built-in microphonen/a
In-camera HDRYesNoNo
Live view AFFace-priority AF
Wide-area AF
Normal-area AF
Subject-tracking AF
Has live viewHas live view
Time lapse shootingYes, save to movie fileyesyes
Monitor Size3.2"3.0"3.0"
BatteriesEN-EL18EN-EL4, EN-EL4aEN-EL4, EN-EL4a
Battery shots2,6004,2004,400
Shutter Actuations (rated)400,000300,000300,000
DimensionsWidth 6.3 in. (160mm)
Height 6.2 in. (156.5mm)
Depth 3.6 in. (90.5mm)
Width 6.3 in. (159.5mm)
Height 6.2 in. (157mm)
Depth 3.4 in. (87.5mm)
Width 6.3 in. (159.5mm)
Height 6.2 in. (157mm)
Depth 3.4 in. (87.5mm)
Weight41.6oz (1180g)43.7oz (1,240g)43.0oz (1,220g)


What's the same:

  • FX format
  • Magnesium alloy body
  • 1/8000 fastest shutter speed / 30 sec. slowest
  • 51 Focus points w/ 3d tracking (D4 has faster AF sensor)
  • CLS Supported
  • JPEG, RAW, and TIFF image formats (image processing engine is different)
  • 921,000 dot TFT display (D4 has 3.2" screen)
  • Exposure bracketing 2 to 9 frames in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1 EV


Pictures -
D4:
25482_D4_front.png

25482_D4_back.png


D3s:
25466_D3S_24_70_front_l.png

25466_D3S_back_l_LCDs_V2.png


D3x:
25442_D3X_front.png

25442_D3X_back.png
 

gqtuazon

Gear Head
D3x is out since D800 can do more. D3s is still one of the best cameras but the D4 appeals more to me especially the face detection, back-lit buttons, virtual horizon, video, etc.
 

Stangman98

Senior Member
D3x is out since D800 can do more. D3s is still one of the best cameras but the D4 appeals more to me especially the face detection, back-lit buttons, virtual horizon, video, etc.

The D4 appeals to me with the high ISO capabilities and fps and I shoot a lot of auto racing. I really would like a D4 & D800
 

pedroj

Senior Member
If I was in the market for one of these [lotto win] The D3s would fit all my needs...High ISO, 9frames per sec,$800 cheaper...Just my personal preference...
 

JerryPH

New member
Looking at this on an iPad now, and it all looks good. This is using Safari, nothing else.

When comparing 2 or more cameras, there are two trains of thought here. One are the people that love numbers and others that actually use the cameras and can speak from real life experience.


If we use the empirical numbers, according to Dx0, which I am really not fond of, according to them, the dynamic range of the D4 is 13.1 stops and 12 stops for the D3s.


In their review of the D4, however, they say that the D4 does have an edge over the D3s in low light performance, but it is close... then go and do something that I think is stupid, by giving the D4 a low light rating of 2965 vs the D3s' rating of 3253... what is up with that???


I have used the D3s in the past and I own the D4, and I must say that with previous cameras like the D700, D3 and D3s, when using high ISO numbers of ISO 6400 and up, the grain was very randomized and difficult to clean.


With the D4, I am seeing regular patterns to the noise, and this makes it much easier to remove it more effectively. An ISO 6400 shot with a D700 looks a lot "dirtier" than the D4 at ISO 25,600 before processing, but after processing with Lightroom, I am getting less loss of detail and cleaner results with the D4 shot than the D700. Throw in that 15% increase in resoluition on top of this which "shrinks" the visible noise, and it is pretty easy to see why you can get an easy 1 stop better low ISO performance over the D3s, irrespective of what DxO mark have as a rating.


Of course there are many more things other than DR and ISO, though these two are improved in the D4, there is the different processing. With the D3s, skin tones all come out the traditional Nikon magenta tinge, which if you want faithful reproduction, does require a good amount of change in post processing.


With the D4, this has been improved on a LOT, but that said, there is still room for improvement, however, they are IMHO about 75% closer to where they should be with the D4 than the D3s.

Ergonomics are way better on the D4. The tilted shutter buttons reduce finger fatigue in real life and in situations where I had a numb shutter finger after 15+ hour weddings, with the D4 my finger is a lot less sore and is no long numb, ever. On a D3s if you want to change focus points in portrait mode, your thumb needs to be stretched way over, so anyone with medium or smaller hands cannot do it without lowering the camera from their eye. The D4 doubles up on the switch in the form of 2 joy-sticks and on top of that, "remembers" the location of where the focus point was in both portrait and landscape modes, meaning if you are shooting people, the top focus point is used. If you used the center top point in landscape mode and again the center top in portrait mode, the camera recalls where you had it last and the focus point changes when you flip the camera, no need to change focus point manually each time.

Video mode on the D4 is way improved over the D3s. Longer times, higher quality, direct uncompressed output, many more video modes, adjustable levels, plugs for external mics and many other features that are not present on the D3s abound.


So, is the D4 a good candidate for an upgrade from a D3s? That reall depends on the purchaser. If the above points are important to you, yes, the D4 is a good upgrade.


I upgraded from a pair of D700's and from that level, it was a no brainer decision to upgrade! Where I was pushing the D700 close to it's limits, the D4 is now pushing me to match what it can do... and so far, it's capabilities still easily are above what I am pushing it to. Where ISO 12,800 were just barely usable on the D700, those same level of quality come on the D4 at ISO 102,400, and even slightly better!

This camera is a lot more than just the numbers on a sheet show. I feel it is a worthy successor to the D3s, and the only downside to the camera for me is reduced battery life. Where I needed one battery a day on a D3s, I need 2 on a D4, no biggie, but still annoying, yet not enough to stop me from choosing the D4 as my choice of camera. :)
 

daredevil123

Senior Member
After using the D4 for a couple of months now, what I feel about the D4:

1. JerryPH is spot on about the noise patterns. It is more uniform and much easier to clean. Even if I opt not to do much NR, I find the noise gives a nice "grain" to the pictures when they are downsized. D700's noise is a little haphazard, with blobs of bigger grains here and there, making it a lot harder to clean up. I also find a lot more details are retained. At 100%, D3s is slightly sharper, but once the D4 output is downsized to D3s size, i find it just as sharp.

2. Metering and WB is so much better with the D4. Matrix metering is significantly improved here and it is able to get the exposure spot on compared to the D700. D700 is a little iffy sometimes when on matrix. Auto WB/skintones are also more accurate now with the D4.

4. AF feels snappier on the D4. When shooting in very low light, I often have problems with the D700. With the D4, AF acquisition is vastly improved. Tracking is also very much improved.
 

stmv

Senior Member
all this focus on ultra High ISO fascinates me,, because,, I think of the D3/D4 as more a studio camera, with plenty of lighting options available, How often are people really pushing the upper limits of ISO?

I typically keep my ISO at 2000 or below for D800/D700, above that and the noise just becomes too much of an issue for me.

Sometimes, I'll push the 6400 range,, but for limited low light snapshot mode,, like attending a family concert,, where no flash is allowed, and I still want a snap.

>95% time under 1000 ISO,,, and if possible,, more toward ISO 200,,

so,, kinda curious of how much are you using the ultra high ISO? and under what photo ops?
 

daredevil123

Senior Member
all this focus on ultra High ISO fascinates me,, because,, I think of the D3/D4 as more a studio camera, with plenty of lighting options available, How often are people really pushing the upper limits of ISO?

I typically keep my ISO at 2000 or below for D800/D700, above that and the noise just becomes too much of an issue for me.

Sometimes, I'll push the 6400 range,, but for limited low light snapshot mode,, like attending a family concert,, where no flash is allowed, and I still want a snap.

>95% time under 1000 ISO,,, and if possible,, more toward ISO 200,,

so,, kinda curious of how much are you using the ultra high ISO? and under what photo ops?

Actually to me the D3x is a studio camera. The D3/D3s/D4 are more photojournalist/sports kind of camera.

These are a couple of my pictures that required ultra high ISO...

8169146866_a4bd1de306_c.jpg


8169116541_e5e55fb7b4_c.jpg
 
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fotojack

Senior Member
If someone came up to me and said, "Jack....I'm going to give you the money to pick the camera of your choice from these three"...........I'd pick the D3X hands down. Reason?.......no video. :)
 

Sambr

Senior Member
Here is ISO 12,800 with D4 & Nikon 24-120F4 @ f4 92mm - Awesome this of course was with existing lighting. The D4 is the best camera I have ever owned - even more than the D3s I had.
i-8zcVbN2-XL.jpg
 
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