Nikon D3s vs Nikon D700 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · DSLR · 12.1 MP · Full Frame
Nikon D3s
57
WINNER
|
Nikon · DSLR · 12.1 MP · Full Frame
Nikon D700
53
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon D3s and the Nikon D700 are both DSLRs released a year apart, and the D700 is the smaller and lighter of the two. It measures 147 x 123 x 77 mm and weighs 1074 g, against 160 x 157 x 88 mm and 1240 g for the 2009 D3s, a 166 g saving. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2009 | 2008 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
October 14, 2009 | July 1, 2008 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 160 x 157 x 88 mm | 147 x 123 x 77 mm |
| Camera weight | 1240 g | 1074 g |
| Optics | 55/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe D3s is the stronger choice for fast action and dim venues. It shoots at 11 fps against 8 fps on the D700, and its native ISO range reaches 12800 against 6400, with expanded settings extending to 102400 against 25600. That extra ceiling gives more room to keep shutter speeds up when the light falls. Resolution is a shared specification here, so neither camera offers extra crop headroom: both record 12.1 MP files on full-frame CMOS sensors. Autofocus coverage also matches at 51 points, and neither body has in-body stabilisation, so lens choice governs shake control either way. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
12.1 MP050 | 12.1 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4256 x 2832 | 4256 x 2832 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
24 x 36 | 24 x 36 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Full Frame | Full Frame |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
11 fps045 | 8 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Nikon F FX | Nikon F FX |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Expeed | Expeed |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
20030200 | 20030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
128003003280000 | 64003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
1024003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
800080032000 | 800080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
510300 | 510300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoMotion capture is limited in the same way on both: neither camera records video, so either body is a stills-only tool. Both offer a built-in intervalometer for timelapse, which lets you shoot a long sequence of frames automatically and assemble them into a moving sequence on the computer afterwards. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
N/A | N/A |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
N/A | N/A |
| Features | 54/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe D700 is the more convenient camera for quick fill light, because it has a built-in flash the D3s lacks. That matters at events when a fast lift to shadows is worth more than a full flash setup. Wi-Fi is a second D700 advantage for transferring images without a cable, and the D3s offers no Wi-Fi. Both support external flash for studio work, and both carry a fixed 3-inch LCD with effectively identical dot counts of 921000 and 922000. Live view is available on each, and neither offers GPS, a touchscreen or a flip screen. Both bodies also have weather sealing for outdoor shoots. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
No |  Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9210001150001500000 | 9220001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
✗ | ✗ |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
No |  Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 87/100 | 43/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe D3s is better equipped for heavy shooting days. Its battery is rated for 4200 shots against 1000 for the D700, using the larger EN-EL4a battery rather than the D700's EN-EL3e. The D3s gives you room for a second card, with two CompactFlash slots supporting UDMA, while the D700 has a single CompactFlash slot. Neither camera charges over USB, so both rely on an external charger for their batteries. | ||
| Memory card | CompactFlash (Type I), UDMA | Compact Flash (Type I) |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | No |
| Battery type | EN-EL4a | EN-EL3e |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
4200 shots1505000 | 1000 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the D3s for sports, wildlife and reportage, where its 11 fps burst and higher ISO settings suit fast action in dim light, and its dual card slots and far higher battery rating suit long shooting days. Choose the D700 for travel and everyday full-frame work, where the lighter body, built-in fill flash and Wi-Fi transfer earn their place. Both share the same resolution and lens mount, so lenses carry over.