Nikon D3s vs Nikon Df — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · DSLR · 12.1 MP · Full Frame
Nikon D3s
57
SCORE
|
Nikon · DSLR · 16.2 MP · Full Frame
Nikon Df
58
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon D3s and Nikon Df are full frame Nikon F FX DSLRs separated by four years and a large gap in body scale. The D3s, announced in 2009, measures 160 x 157 x 88 mm and weighs 1240 g. The 2013 Df is smaller at 144 x 110 x 67 mm and 480 g lighter. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2009 | 2013 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
October 14, 2009 | November 5, 2013 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 160 x 157 x 88 mm | 144 x 110 x 67 mm |
| Camera weight | 1240 g | 760 g |
| Optics | 55/100 | 60/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Df gives you more room to crop and enlarge, with 16.2 megapixels against 12.1 on the D3s, a 33.9 percent difference in pixel count. That matters for landscape work or distant wildlife where you want to reframe on the computer afterwards. Its standard ISO range also starts at 100 rather than 200, giving one extra stop of control at the bright end in daylight. The D3s is the stronger choice for action. It shoots at 11 frames per second against 5.5 on the Df, and its 1/8000 second top shutter setting gives a shorter exposure than the Df's 1/4000. Its 51 autofocus points rather than 39 give it more focusing coverage for sports, news and birds in flight. The core specs match, with CMOS sensor type, full frame format, pentaprism viewfinder and a 12800 ISO standard ceiling on both. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
12.1 MP050 | 16.2 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 | 4928 x 3280 |
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 | 23.9 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 | 5.5 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 3 |
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 | 10030200 |
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 | 128003003280000 |
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 | 5030200 |
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 | 2048003003280000 |
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 | 400080032000 |
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 | 390300 |
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 ComparisonVideoThe D3s offers a built-in timelapse function the Df lacks, letting it record a sunset or a construction site as a sequence of frames. Neither camera records video. For timelapse work, the D3s is the pick. | ||
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 | No |
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 | 57/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Df's 3.2 inch LCD gives a little more room to check focus after a shot than the D3s's 3 inch screen. Screen resolution is a match at 921000 dots, so review detail is the same on both. Both bodies are weather sealed, support live view and an external flash, and neither has a built-in flash, touchscreen or articulating screen. GPS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are absent on both, so moving images off means a card reader or accessory. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
✗ | ✗ |
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" | 3.2" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9210001150001500000 | 9210001150001500000 |
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 87/100 | 48/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe D3s is far better prepared for a long assignment. Its EN-EL4a battery is rated for 4200 shots under its test conditions, three times the 1400 shot rating of the Df's EN-EL14. It also has dual card slots and takes CompactFlash Type I UDMA cards, against the Df's single SD slot, so a spare card can stay in the body. The Df records to SD, SDHC and SDXC cards instead of the D3s's CompactFlash. If your cards and readers are SD, the Df is the simpler fit. Neither charges over USB, so both use external chargers. | ||
| Memory card | CompactFlash (Type I), UDMA | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | No |
| Battery type | EN-EL4a | EN-EL14 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
4200 shots1505000 | 1400 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the D3s if you photograph action or work long days. Its 11 fps burst, 51 autofocus points and 1/8000 second shutter serve sports, reportage and events, while the dual card slots and 4200 shot battery rating suit a packed schedule. The built-in timelapse adds another reason for location shooters.
Choose the Df for slower, more deliberate photography. It weighs 760 g against the D3s's 1240 g, and its 16.2 megapixels give extra cropping room when you reframe afterwards. The D3s wins on speed and endurance, the Df on portability and resolution.