Nikon D3s camera primed for shots in the dark

Nikon has revamped its full-frame D3 to launch the D3s, a professional DSLR boasting a redesigned imaging sensor, a top ISO of '102400', plus movie capture.

Aimed at wildlife, sports and news photographer the D3s houses a 12.87-million-pixel FX-format CMOS imaging sensor (12.1MP effective).

Nikon claims to have redesigned the sensor to include a 'large pixel' pitch that delivers 'even greater latitude in high ISO performance'.

The firm adds that the wide dynamic range and signal-to-noise ratio are 'significantly higher' than the D3, and that the D3s produces 'low noise' for still images and movie capture.
We understand that, to increase the camera's effectiveness in low light, engineers have reworked the sensor's 'gapless' micro lenses and modified the amplifiers and 'pixel diodes' to bolster light transmission. The electronic circuitry has also been altered, to help cut noise.
Equivalent ISO sensitivity ranges from 200-12,800. However, this can be boosted to '102400' in a move designed to aid shooting in light situations so poor that subjects cannot be seen clearly.

Nikon claims the camera is effective when used 'handheld at night'.
'The camera sensor is so sensitive that it can capture subjects that are practically invisible to the naked eye and render results that are remarkably clean of noise and ready for print,' said a spokesman.

Nikon has also tweaked the AF algorithms to help speed-up AF and tracking.
The D3s features an 'HD' (1,280x720 pixel) movie option at 24 frames per second, with contrast detection AF to enable autofocus when shooting videos and when using Live View.
Nikon has added a dedicated button on the back to activate Live View.
'An extra bonus for sports and spot news photographers is the ability to save selected movie frames as JPEGs (in the same resolution as the video), for immediate print and web publishing needs,' added a spokesman.

The D3s includes a connection for an external microphone.
Improvements over the D3 include an Image Sensor Cleaning function that generates vibrations at four specific frequencies to 'optimise dust removal'.
The D3s also boasts additional in-camera raw image file processing options, such as the ability to alter white balance and apply picture controls before conversion to a JPEG file.
Armoury includes an in-camera chromatic aberration reduction aimed at correcting colour fringes which, explains Nikon, can sometimes appear at the edges between different subject elements.

Nikon has boosted the camera's buffer memory to twice that of the D3, to help speed-up the photographer's workflow when out on assignment, and help in continuous shooting mode. It is designed to shoot 124 JPEG as a continuous burst.
Following feedback from D3 users, Nikon has added a new Quiet Shutter mode to the D3s which should be useful for wildlife photography, for example.
And a new '1.2x' crop option has been added to enable users to create 30:20 format images, at a resolution of around 8.4MP. This is in addition to the 5:4 (30x24) and DX (24x16) crops options.

Differences over the D3 also include the ability to use the electronic virtual horizon in Live View shooting.

The camera's six Active D-Lighting options also now include an Auto and 'Extra high' setting.

The D3s is due in December carry a UK price of £4199.99.

Read our exclusive Nikon D3s hands-on preview here

Watch our UK press launch video here

Nikon D3s full specification

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Nikon D3s camera primed for shots in the dark - MAIN NEWS

Wednesday 14th October 2009

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