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Nikon D3 reviews
You can find here the most interesting reviews / ratings from the well-known expert sites about the Nikon D3 Camera. Here are the reviewers:
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- 16 February 2009 - |
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- 0 |
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- 19 April 2008 - |
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- 4.5 |
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- 15 March 2008 - |
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- 0 |
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- 26 February 2008 - |
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- 0 |
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- 18 February 2008 - |
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- 5 |
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- 06 February 2008 - |
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- 5 |
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- 01 February 2008 - |
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- 4.5 |
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- 29 December 2007 - |
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- 0 |
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- 13 December 2007 - |
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- 4.5 |
Imaging Resource 's conclusion / rating - 16 February 2009 |
“ Though it has been supplanted at the top of the heap by Nikon's 24.5-megapixel D3x, the 12.1-megapixel Nikon D3 still stands strong in the area of overall full-frame image quality, especially as light levels drop. Nikon now has two professional cameras to match Canon's two: one built for speed, the other built for high resolution. The Nikon D3's superb build and intelligent interface make it an excellent tool for the professional photographer. It is responsive and easy to manipulate. Frequent users will find it easy to make the Nikon D3 serve whatever situation they encounter, bending it to their will with familiar controls and well-considered design.
Speed is indeed the best way to describe the Nikon D3: from ISO to frame rate, the D3's speed impresses. ISO ranges from 200 to 25,600, and its maximum frame rate is 11 frames per second, with all focus tracking stripped out of the way and the resolution cut down to APS-C. The Nikon D3 is an amazing machine, built to handle all kinds of photography. Until the advent of the Canon 1Ds Mark III and the Sony A900, we'd also have said, "including high resolution photography." But honestly, 12.1 megapixels is plenty to work with for almost any circumstance.
Dual CompactFlash slots mean that you'll have the capacity to shoot plenty of RAW frames and even backup on the fly when you set the camera to write to both cards simultaneously, guarding against one card's failure... ”
Imaging Resource's rating: |
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- 0 |
Complete review here
DPReview 's conclusion / rating - 19 April 2008 |
“ When we first saw the D3 before it was officially launched I'll admit there were some raised eyebrows, and the first question was 'is this a replacement for the D2Hs, the D2X, both or neither?'. The truth of course is that it's not that simple, and Nikon's long-awaited first foray into the world of the full frame sensor is essentially in a class of its own.
For one thing it is, without a doubt, built for speed - in every sense of the word. From the almost twitchy responsiveness (brush the shutter and before you know it you've taken half a dozen shots) to the astounding image pipeline that can pull huge amounts of data off the sensor and process, buffer and write it to the card at up to 9 frames per second, to the fast, accurate focus, the D3 always seems to be one step ahead of you. Add to this the class-leading high ISO performance (thanks to a bravely low-density sensor) and you've got a camera that is uniquely capable of keeping up with the action even when light levels start to drop perilously.
We're not sports photographers and anyone even close to considering a D3 will be more than capable of making an informed decision without a technical review such as this (in fact they've probably already bought one), but we can confirm that from an image quality and performance point of view the D3 raises the bar by a fair degree (not a quantum leap; they're increasingly rare). For a sports camera it's also a surprisingly good studio and landscape camera, and if there's a better DSLR out there for photojournalists and red carpet paps we've yet to meet it. Image quality (especially at higher ISOs) is stunning, the camera a joy to use and the speed and responsiveness breathtaking. If there is an EOS-1Ds Mark III - bating 'D3X' coming this year it will have quite a job to do to better the D3; possibly the most compelling, capable and well-rounded professional digital SLR ever made. ... ”
Complete review here
Photo.net 's conclusion / rating - 15 March 2008 |
“ The D3 is Nikon's first installment to full-35mm-frame FX-sensor DSLRs, and they chose to introduce a sports and news DSLR that has excellent low-light performance. Those were precisely the major weaknesses previously in Nikon's DSLR line up. For those who would like a DSLR optimized for sports, news, and wedding photography, the D3 is probably the top choice. Since the D3 can handle ISO 3200 easily and provides very acceptable 6400 results, it changes the approach to indoor and low-light photography.
At the time of the D3 announcement, Nikon has also made it very clear that they will introduce additional FX-sensor DSLRs but provided few specifics. Merely three days before the D3 was announced, Canon had introduced a new 21MP, 5 fps, full-35mm-frame (full frame) EOS 1Ds Mark III DSLR, and during PMA (January) 2008, Sony announced a 24.8MP, full frame sensor that can go up to 6.3 fps but with only 12-bit capture. Clearly, there is a market for high-pixel-density, full frame DSLRs that Nikon will likely also enter. Meanwhile, there is the prosumer full frame DSLR market segment with DSLRs such as the Canon EOS 5D with fewer high-end features at a more modest cost. If one of those types of full frame DSLRs (i.e. high pixel count and prosumer) may better meet your photographic needs, it probably pays to wait until later in 2008 and 2009 to see what other FX-format DSLRs Nikon will introduce to compliment the D3.
At the same time Nikon introduced the D3, they also announced the Nikon D300, $1499 (review), which is a DX-sensor DSLR to demonstrate that Nikon will continue to support both formats. The D300 shares the same AF module as the D3 but is a step behind as far as ruggedness and high-ISO performance. However, at about one-third of the cost of a D3, the D300 is very much a viable alternative and provides better value for the money. In particular, for those long-lens users who prefer more reach, the D300's DX format is a plus. ... ”
Complete review here
DigitalCameraReview 's conclusion / rating - 26 February 2008 |
“ The D3 is Nikon's flagship FX digital camera, if only because it's Nikon's sole FX digital camera. But the D3 justifies its standing in the Nikon ranks on much more than mere exclusivity. Unparalleled ISO performance, a 9 fps full resolution shooting rate, exceptional color and image quality, a superb monitor, robust construction, outstanding build quality and a full frame sensor offering wide angle and depth of field lens performance like a 35mm film camera are some of the attributes that makes Nikon's latest pro model a must-have for serious Nikon shooters.
Designed for sports and photojournalism, I'd suspect the D3 might find an additional following among wedding photographers who prefer to shoot in natural light. The camera's big sensor results in the lack of a crop factor for lenses, so users who can't get close to their subjects may well do better with a DX Nikon that maximizes lens length. Otherwise, the D3 is simply a state of the art, high-performance pro camera, and few of us who've been fortunate enough to get our hands on one would argue that it isn't worth every penny of that lofty price tag. ... ”
DigitalCameraReview's rating: |
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- 0 |
Complete review here
PhotographyBLOG 's conclusion / rating - 18 February 2008 |
“ The Nikon D3 has got to be the top choice for anyone wanting high quality, rapid-fire image capture, or extremely low light photography without flash, who is not otherwise wedded to the Canon system. Press – sports and news – photographers are the ones who are going to get the most out of its capabilities, which stretch beyond those needed by the average photo hobbyist, and these professionals are also the ones most likely to be able to stomach that price tag without complaint. Having just interviewed photographers working in RAF ground staff, police and medical services at the time of writing, the Nikon D3 has been uniformly adopted as their camera of choice – and it’s not hard to see why. Plus, as other reviewers have pointed out, with a D3 you get a camera with the best bits of its D2Xs and D2H predecessors without having to buy both. That said, the DSLR’s heft with lens attached means that it’s not the one you’ll want to be lugging around with you all day firing off holiday snaps, the D300 a sensible alternative if you don’t feel the need for speed or (obviously) full frame capture. But the fact that the Nikon D3 is (currently) pretty much peerless means this is a rare occasion of a camera deserving the full compliment of review stars.... ”
PhotographyBLOG's rating: |
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- 5 |
Complete review here
WhatDigitalCamera 's conclusion / rating - 06 February 2008 |
“ This is a state-of-the-art professional model and is aimed at pros who make a living from their camera. In this respect it offers great value. It’s nearly half the price of Canon’s 1Ds Mk III, though both cameras are aimed at slightly different markets, albeit with some crossover. For the well-off enthusiast, well if you want the best, there is always a cost, but this is a lot of camera for the money.
There’s a lot of debate over which is better, the Nikon D3 or the Canon 1Ds Mk III. The Nikon does seem to have much in its favour, not least the price. While the D3 has arguably a rather conservative resolution by comparison, its performance shows that it isn’t all about the pixel count, and makes a strong case for fewer, but bigger pixels.
Overall, the D3 is an extremely well-specified camera with fantastic performance across the board – in the AF system, the speed, and the superb image quality that can be achieved, even at high ISOs. In short, the D3 is as good as it gets right now and as such achieves our highest ever score. ... ”
WhatDigitalCamera's rating: |
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- 5 |
Complete review here
ThinkCamera 's conclusion / rating - 01 February 2008 |
“ Is the Nikon D3 the best digital SLR Nikon have ever made? Oh yes... By a country mile. But is it better than the 1DS Mk III? You'll have to wait until we test one of those. To my eye it easily beats anything else for image quality and noise but there's the thorny question of the D300 - Nikon may have made that a bit too good. Either way £3,200 is a lot more than a D300 and a lot less than a 1DS Mk III. ... ”
ThinkCamera's rating: |
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- 4.5 |
Complete review here
Luminous Landscape 's conclusion / rating - 29 December 2007 |
“ The D3 images captured on 13 Dec 07 weren’t the most dynamic music photos I’ve taken to date. I’m even willing to concede that the images themselves are perhaps less interesting than the lessons I’ve learned with this new photographic tool. However, it’s only with a commitment to unpaid practice that I can confidentially integrate the Nikon D3 into my professional photography.
When someone clasps at three newly purchased drinks and makes their way across a crowded barroom, pathways seem to magically open up - like a Biblical parting of the seas. Unfortunately the D3 won’t give you that kind of mobility in a crowded bar, nor will it turn night into day, but this new technology is capable of making the difficult task of live performance photography a little easier.
If I were asked to arbitrarily rate the performance of the D2x and the D3 under live music conditions, I’d rate the D2x as a 7 and the D3 as 8.5 out of 10. I’d rate Clutch’s musical performance on the night as 10/10… After all a passion for the things we photograph is far more important than the thing we use to photograph. ... ”
Luminous Landscape's rating: |
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- 0 |
Complete review here
PhotoReview 's conclusion / rating - 13 December 2007 |
“ The body design of the D3 is an evolution of the D2x, with most modifications improving overall usability and comfort. As in the D2x, magnesium alloy has been used for the body casing, chassis and mirror box to reduce weight and ensure robustness and durability. All joints are sealed to resist dust and moisture. The pentaprism housing is larger and lacks the ambient light sensor of the D2x. The grip has also been re-styled and the front panel carries a gold 'FX' logo to promote the D3's full-frame capability.... ”
PhotoReview's rating: |
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- 4.5 |
Complete review here
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