Nikon D3S – High-Speed Pro DSLR
ByThe vast majority of people looking at buying the Nikon D3S are talking about the ISO and low light abilities. Even though there is a lot more to this camera than its amazing new ISO abilities. Nikon’s new flagship DSLR, the D3S, builds on the groundbreaking D3, which revolutionised the high-speed professional DSLR market.
The D3S has a 12.1-megapixel FX-format CMOS sensor just like its predecessor the D3. But the maximum sensitivity on the D3S has been increased to a mind-boggling ISO 102,400 and noise levels have been lowered at all sensitivity settings.
The D3S delivers a new look and feel to the emerging trend of DSLR movie capture and exploits the creative depth-of-field effects offered by the large FX-format sensor and the benefits of wide aperture NIKKOR lenses, the lens of choice for the world’s leading photographers. Although much of the D3S is gleaned from the D3, another feature here is the ability to shoot 720p HD movies (with built in and external sound – if you link up a microphone) at 24fps and up to the Hi3 (ISO 102,400) sensitivity setting, making movie capture in low light as flexible as it is in still capture.
The D3S now has a “quiet” shooting mode found on the drive mode dial just below the flash, bracketing and Command Lock “turret” on the top plate. When active this helps reduce the noise the camera’s shutter and mirror mechanism make when you take a shot, but it’s a subtle difference, the most obvious change being the slower mirror return. Another very subtle but nice change is the pressure sensitivity of some controls has been enhanced and this makes it a far more positive experience using controls such as the AF-On button on the back plate.
Another significant improvement from the Nikon D3 is the employment of the Image Sensor Cleaning function, which generates vibrations at four specific frequencies to optimise dust removal. This function can be set to operate automatically when the camera is turned on and off, or manually.
The Nikon D3S redraws the boundaries for photographers allowing them even more control over uncertain subjects in testing lighting conditions. The camera sensor is so reactive that it can capture subjects that are practically undetectable to the naked eye and produce results that are remarkably clear of noise and ready for print. The weather-sealed durable magnesium construction is built to resist extreme temperatures and humidity to enable users to accomplish assignments faster and more efficiently.
For more information, go to Nikon D3S Review.
