Outside the Shot
Camera Buying Guide Lens Reviews About
Outside the Shot

Nikon D3 What You Need to Know for Best Performance

     595 words  3 minutes 
Find out everything you need to know about the Nikon D3 camera.

Nikon D3 Battery Type & Replacements

The Nikon D3 uses a None.

The battery can not be charged via USB. This means a battery charger will be necessary. There are third party battery chargers available.

Memory Card Compatibility & Recommendation

The Nikon D3 is compatible with Dual Compact Flash (Type I or II) memory cards.

The differences between Type I and II Compact Flash cards is the thickness. Type II meant the slot can accommodate Microdrives, which were very small mechanical hard drives. Another use is for microSD to Compact Flash adapters.

  • Type I - 3.3mm thick
  • Type II - 5mm thick

The D3 is compatible with Nikon F mount lenses. This opens up a wide range of lens possibilities. A full range of lenses exists including circular fisheye, ultra wide angle, perspective control, macro, telephoto, mirror, bellows, and all kinds of zooms.

There is a list of the best Nikon D3 lenses that covers lenses for all different types of photography.

  • Active D-Lighting
  • 11.0 fps continuous shooting
  • Auto Active D-Lighting System
  • Custom Setting Options
  • Red eye correction

Sensor & Image Processor

The D3 has an Full frame (36 x 23.9 mm) sized sensor. This is paired with the Expeed image processor. The Expeed image processor is also used on the Nikon D3000.

The Nikon D3 can not record video.

No. The Nikon D3 does not have clean HDMI out.

The Nikon D3 can not be used as a webcam. There is no software or video capture device that will allow the camera to be used as a webcam.
Manufacturer Nikon
Model D3
MSRP None
Body type Large DSLR
Max resolution 4256 x 2832
Other resolutions 3184 x 2120, 2128 x 1416
Image ratio w:h 5:4, 3:2
Effective pixels 12.1 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors 13 megapixels
Sensor size Full frame (36 x 23.9 mm)
Sensor type CMOS
Processor Expeed
ISO 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400 (100 - 25600 with boost)
Boosted ISO (minimum) 100.0
Boosted ISO (maximum) 25600.0
White balance presets 12.0
Custom white balance Yes
Image stabilization No
Image stabilization notes None
Uncompressed format RAW
JPEG quality levels Fine, Normal, Basic
Autofocus ['Contrast Detect (sensor)', 'Phase Detect', 'Multi-area', 'Selective single-point', 'Single', 'Continuous', 'Live View']
Manual focus Yes
Number of focus points None
Lens mount Nikon F
Focal length multiplier 1×
Articulated LCD Fixed
Screen size 3″
Screen dots 922000
Touch screen No
Screen type None
Live view Yes
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7×
Minimum shutter speed 30 sec
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 sec
Aperture priority Yes
Shutter priority Yes
Manual exposure mode None
Subject / scene modes None
Built-in flash No
Flash range None
External flash Yes (Hot-shoe plus Sync connector)
Flash modes Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Continuous drive 11.0 fps
Self-timer Yes (2 to 20 sec)
Metering modes None
Exposure compensation ±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
AE Bracketing None
WB Bracketing None
Format None
Videography notes None
Modes None
Microphone None
Speaker None
Storage types Dual Compact Flash (Type I or II)
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
HDMI Yes
Microphone port None
Headphone port None
Wireless None
Wireless notes None
Remote control Yes
Environmentally sealed Yes
Battery Battery Pack
Battery description None
Battery Life (CIPA) None
Weight (inc. batteries) 1300 g (2.87 lb / 45.86 oz)
Dimensions 160 x 157 x 88 mm (6.3 x 6.18 x 3.46″)
Orientation sensor Yes
Timelapse recording Yes
GPS Optional
GPS notes GP-1
Updated on 2023-09-28
Back | Home