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Nikon D3 Hands-on Preview
Phil Askey, September 2007
Preview based on a pre-production Nikon D3
The professional Nikon D 'single digit' series of digital SLR's started life back in June 1999 with the groundbreaking D1. Groundbreaking because it was the digital SLR which broke Kodak's stranglehold on the digital SLR market and fundamentally brought prices down to a level which most professionals could afford (around the US$5,500 mark). Since then we have seen a steady progression of this line of cameras, while the core values of a high quality full size body with integrated grip have remained the line split into two halves, one targeted at high resolution photography the other high speed sports type photography (lower resolution but faster continuous shooting); the X and H suffixes. It's been almost three years since Nikon introduced a completely new digital SLR with a new sensor (the D2X) and there has been much anticipation that Nikon's next move would be a full-frame chip.
This predictions have come true with the introduction of the 'FX format' (new moniker created by Nikon) D3 which features a 36 x 23.9 mm 12.1 megapixel CMOS sensor as well as a vast array of new features which absolutely raise it another notch above previous single digit Nikon DSLRs. Important headline improvements include high sensitivity support by default, up to ISO 6400 with 25600 available as a boost option, 14-bit A/D conversion, a new standard image processor, a new shutter, new auto focus sensor, focus tracking by color, nine frames per second continuous, dual compact flash support, DX lens support (albeit at lower resolution) and a 3.0" 922,000 pixel LCD monitor (which it has to be said is lovely).
Some will undoubtedly question Nikon for 'only' delivering twelve megapixels on their first full frame digital SLR, all we can presume by looking at past model line history is that this camera is designed for speed (both in sensitivity, auto-focus and continuous shooting).
Model line history
| Model |
Announced |
Effective pixels |
Auto focus |
Continuous highest (JPEG) | LCD monitor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D1 | Jun 1999 | 2.6 mp | 5 point | 4.5 fps, 21 frames | 2.0", 120K pixels |
| D1X | Feb 2001 | 5.3 mp | 5 point | 3.0 fps, 9 frames | 2.0", 130K pixels |
| D1H | Feb 2001 | 2.7 mp | 5 point | 5.0 fps, 40 frames | 2.0", 130K pixels |
| D2H | Jul 2003 | 4.1 mp | 11 point | 8.0 fps, 40 frames | 2.5", 211K pixels |
| D2X | Sep 2004 | 12.2 mp | 11 point | 5.0 fps, 22 frames *1 | 2.5" 235K pixels |
| D2Hs | Feb 2005 | 4.1 mp | 11 point | 8.0 fps, 50 frames | 2.5" 235K pixels |
| D2Xs | Jun 2006 | 12.2 mp | 11 point | 5.0 fps, 22 frames *1 | 2.5" 230K pixels |
| D3 | Aug 2007 | 12.1 mp (FF) | 51 point | 9.0 fps, 64 frames *2 | 3.0" 922K pixels + Live View |
*1 Also 8 fps in cropped mode (6.7 MP)
*2 Up to 11 fps with DX format (5.1 MP)
Nikon D3 Key Features
- First ever Nikon DSLR with a Full-Frame (36 x 24 mm) sensor (coined FX format)
- 12.1 megapixel full-frame sensor (8.45µm pixel pitch)
- ISO 200 - 6400 (with boost up to ISO 25600)
- Also supports DX lenses, viewfinder automatically masks (5.1 megapixels with DX lens)
- 5:4 ratio crop mode (10 megapixels, up to 9 fps, viewfinder masked)
- 14-bit A/D conversion, 12 channel readout
- Nikon EXPEED image processor (Capture NX processing and NR algorithms, lower power)
- Super fast operation (power-up 12 ms, shutter lag 41 ms, black-out 74 ms)
- New Kevlar / carbon fibre composite shutter with 300,000 exposure durability
- New Multi-CAM3500FX Auto Focus sensor (51-point, 15 cross-type, more vertical coverage)
- Auto-focus tracking by color (using information from 1005-pixel AE sensor)
- Auto-focus calibration (fine-tuning) now available (fixed body or up to 20 separate lens settings)
- Scene Recognition System (uses AE sensor, AF sensor)
- Picture Control image parameter presets (replace Color Modes I, II and III)
- Custom image parameters now support brightness as well as contrast
- Nine frames per second continuous with auto-focus tracking
- Eleven frames per second continuous without auto-focus tracking
- Ten / eleven frames per second continuous in DX-crop mode (AF / no-AF)
- Dual Compact Flash card slots (overflow, back-up, RAW on 1 / JPEG on 2, copy)
- Compact Flash UDMA support
- 3.0" 922,000 pixel LCD monitor
- Live View with either phase detect (mirror up/down) or contrast detect Auto Focus
- Virtual horizon indicates if camera is level (like an aircraft cockpit display)
- HDMI HD video output
- 'Active D-Lighting' (adjusts metering as well as applying D-Lighting curve)
- Detailed 'Control Panel' type display on LCD monitor, changes color in darkness
- Buttons sealed against moisture
- Dual battery charger as standard
- Available November 2007
Technology under the skin
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| FX format sensor (Nikon design) | Sensor mounted on its module |
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| Main board with EXPEED processor | EXPEED processor |
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| 51-point Multi-CAM 3500FX AF sensor unit | Viewfinder pentaprism |
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| 1005-pixel metering sensor | Shutter |
Nikon D3 specifications
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Body & Design
The D3 marks a whole new model series for Nikon but as we would expect the changes are subtle and evolutionary rather than a revolutionary switch. Photographers familiar with the D2 series will feel immediately at home with the D3, button layout is almost identical and the control changes made are sensible improvements rather than completely new concepts. The D3's proportions make it almost square and thanks to a magnesium shell it is literally as solid as a brick. Robust surfaces, soft rubber on the grips, oversized buttons, locked controls and environmental seals add up to a purposeful camera which has been designed with the requirements of the professional photographer in any situation.
Side by sideBelow we have the D3 beside the recently announced Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III (21 megapixel), although aimed at different markets both of these cameras feature professional bodies with integral vertical grips and full-frame (36 x 24 mm) sensors. That said there is a huge $3000 price differential between them and so the D3 is more likely to be compared to the ten megapixel EOS-1D Mark III which has a 1.3x crop (29 x 19 mm) sensor. The EOS-1D Mark III and EOS-1Ds Mark III have virtually identical bodies.
In your handAs you may expect the D3 feels comfortable and sturdy in your hand, the grip is just the right size, depth and shape to be both comfortable and easy to hold. Careful shaping of the rear and the use of soft rubber add to the overall feeling of solidity, buttons and other controls are positioned to be used easily. I said in my D2X review that I felt Nikon had the edge over the Canon EOS-1D series for 'real world ergonomics', that remains true with the D3.
LCD MonitorOne of the more significant external changes with the D3 (and the D300) is a new large, high resolution LCD monitor. It has four times the number of dots than the 230,000 unit used on the D2X and other such cameras. For clarity, the words pixels and dots are interchanged almost randomly in specification sheets but strictly speaking we should talk of dots (these being red, green or blue sub-pixels) when referring to the figures quoted by manufacturers. The D3's LCD has 921,600 dots, 1920 columns by 480 rows, the dots are a third thinner than they are high and so each group of three dots (sub-pixels) make up one full color pixel. This high resolution screen really has to be seen to be appreciated, it's beautifully detailed and extremely smooth in appearance because the tiny gaps between dots are too small to be seen with the eye. This extra detail is obvious in Live view and playback modes where you really can see much 'more' of the image in one glance. Another difference comes when you magnify in playback as you find you don't need to magnify the image as much before you can clearly see sharpness, focus accuracy and even noise. One other difference between the D3/D300's screen and that used previously is the layout of the dots (sub-pixels), this new screen has the same layout as your computer LCD, a simple RGB layout with all rows the same ('stripe array'). The other layout used on small LCD screens is the 'delta array' which uses an RGB pattern on one row then a BRG pattern on the row below, offset by half a pixel.
Below you can see a real-life, same-size example of the difference in resolution between this new 921,600 dot screen (on the D300, but it's the same as the D3) and a more typical 230,400 dot screen (in this case on the Canon EOS 40D). Both cameras were set in play mode with the same image (note that the D300 doesn't use the whole screen in play unless you magnify), a shot was taken of each camera from the same distance (hence the screens were captured at the same magnification).
Top & Rear Control PanelsJust like the D2 series the D3 has two status / control panel displays, one on the top of the camera and one on the rear. Both panels have a green back light which can be illuminated by flicking the power switch to the lamp position, it's spring loaded and returns to 'ON', the back light stays on for the 'auto meter-off' time (CSM c2). You can also choose to have the backlights come on with any button press (CSM d7). You can customize the information displayed on the rear control panel and viewfinder display via CSM d5. Each panel is shown below along with a diagram of all information displayed. Top Control Panel
Rear Control Panel
Diagram reproduced with permission from the Nikon D3 user manual. |
ViewfinderThe D3 sticks with the same circular eyepiece as the D2X but from there onwards everything has changed, obviously we now have a 'huge' full frame view which really does fill your entire field of vision, the focusing screen is bright but is still matte enough to enable accurate manual focusing.
The focusing screen also features automatic masking if you attach a DX format lens, a portion of the view is half blacked-out indicating the active sensor area. Optionally you can also manually select the shooting format (FX: 36 x 24 mm, DX: 24 x 16 mm or 5:4: 30 x 24 mm). The diagram below (used with permission from the D3 user manual) demonstrates the different image sizes (FX / DX and 5:4 formats), their image circles and the masked areas of the viewfinder focusing screen.
The D3 features a new 51 point auto focus sensor, the center fifteen (3x5 grid) being cross point sensors even with F5.6 aperture lenses. There are two AF point selection modes (CSM a8), you can opt to be able to select from all 51 points or 11 points in a similar layout as the D2X. (Note that the D3's larger sensor area means that the AF points don't have as much frame coverage as on the D300 and also that the 11 point layout is slightly different).
The image below isn't designed to be representative of a typical view through the viewfinder but instead shows the position of all possible information including all 51 AF points. Nikon has made it clear that they are not using etching to indicate the AF points but that all information is displayed using liquid crystal, hence when an AF point is not active there is no detrimental effect on the focusing screen.
Diagram reproduced with permission from the Nikon D3 user manual. Battery, Compartment and ChargerThe D3 uses an updated version of the EN-EL4 seen in the the D2X. This new model, the EN-EL4a packs a capacity of 2500 mAh (over the EN-EL4's 1900 mAh) at 11.1 V for a pretty huge 27.8 Wh. Just like the EN-EL4 the battery contains a memory chip which is used to track battery usage, charges and overall performance (see below images). As you can see from the third image below the battery compartment door clips onto the battery body, if you have just one battery that's where it will stay, however carrying multiple batteries is now more convenient because they have an easier to store shape (with the door unclipped). There's also a new dual-battery quick charger, the MH-22 which provides docking style charging for up to two batteries at a time (although only one is charged at a time). A full charge takes around 2 hours 25 minutes, you can also run a full calibration of the battery which can take up to six hours.
Battery information available on the camera:
Compact Flash CompartmentThe D3 becomes the first digital SLR to feature dual Compact Flash card slots. Both support Compact Flash Type I or II as well as FAT32 (cards over 2 GB) and UDMA (high throughput). The second slot can be set up to either (a) overflow (once card 1 is full go on to card 2), (b) backup (everything written to card 1 is also written to card 2) or (c) RAW to card 1 and JPEG to card 2.
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Connections
The D3's connections are in two places, either at the front top (remote and flash PC sync) or the left side of the body (from the rear). The remote (which also allows for serial GPS) and flash PC sync terminals are now protected by a rubber cover which is itself attached to the strap eyelet. On the side are the largest group of connectors, from top to bottom; Video out (composite), HDMI (digital video out HD/SD), DC-IN and USB 2.0. The biggest story here must be HDMI output, from the camera menu you can select five different output options; Auto, 480p, 576p, 720p or 1080i. For an example and video clip of HDMI output see this page of our D300 article.
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Camera Base / Tripod Mount
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The bottom of the D3 is almost identical to the D2X except that the D3 no longer has a connector for the WT-1/2 wireless transmitters which are now superceded by the WT-4. The base of the camera has a soft rubber foot made from similar material as the grip. The metal tripod mount is located in line with the center of the lens and the focal plane. |
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Flash Hot-shoe
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The D3 has a standard (ISO 518) accessory shoe which is compatible with third party flash systems for flash sync and more advanced i-TTL with the SB-800, SB-600 or SB-400. Non-TTL Auto available with the 80DX, 28DX, 28, 27, and 22s. Note that the 'flash ready' icon on the viewfinder status LCD will only light when using one of the Nikon SB series Speedlights listed above. (Note that there would normally be a cover over the accessory shoe). |
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Lens Mount / Sensor
Below on the left you can see the D3's lens mount with the mirror down, on the right with mirror up and shutter open (exposing the sensor). Lenses are inserted twisted clockwise and lock in place with an anticlockwise turn. This is a standard Nikon F lens mount and can use almost the complete range of Nikkor F lenses (although some features are only available with newer type G or type D lenses). The D3 supports the aperture ring found on older AI lenses. Despite being full-frame it also supports 1.5x crop DX format lenses automatically and masks the viewfinder view accordingly (see earlier in this article).
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Supplied In the Box
Box contents may vary by region:
- Nikon D3 digital SLR body & body cap
- BS-2 accessory shoe cover
- EN-EL4a Lithium-ion battery
- MH-22 Quick Charger & power cable
- UC-E4 USB cable & cable clip
- EG-D2 A/V cable
- AN-D3 shoulder strap
- Software CD-ROM
- Warranty, user manuals, quick guide, software install guide, reg. card
Top of camera controls (right)
On the top of the camera on the right side you will find the power switch, shutter release button, exposure mode and exposure compensation buttons. At the front and rear edges of this side of the camera, in line with the shutter release button are the two command dials (with a soft rubber coating). On the side of the viewfinder prism is the metering mode selector (with an integral lock button which must be held to change mode). On the rear of the camera we see the now isolated AF-ON button (the A-EL/AF-L button now slightly smaller and moved further down the body closer to the multi-selector.
CSM f7 allows you define the exact function of the command dials including their rotation, which sets aperture / shutter speed and whether they can be used in menus and playback mode. The function of controls described below are for a camera with default settings. Buttons combined with a dial turn are held while the dial is turned, however you can choose to simply have to press the button once and release, this is achieved via CSM f8.
Power dial
| OFF | Power Off Powers the camera off immediately, if there are images still buffered to be written the camera will remain on until the write has completed. When off the camera continues to display the remaining frames / frame count and CF status on the top LCD panel. |
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| ON | Power On Switches the camera on, this is as fast as we can time it, as good as instant. There is simply no perceptible delay between turning the the dial and the first shot (you can even hold the shutter release and turn the power dial to test this). |
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Illuminate backlight Flick the power switch to this position to illuminate the control panels backlight's (top and rear). The backlight stays on for the 'auto meter-off' time (CSM c3). |
Buttons (combined with dial turn)
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| MODE | Exposure mode (detail below) • Programmed Auto (flexible) • Shutter-Priority Auto • Aperture-Priority Auto • Manual |
No function |
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Exposure compensation • +/- 5 EV • 0.3, 0.5 or 1 EV steps (CSM b2) |
No function |
Buttons (single press)
| AF-ON | AF-ON The AF-ON button is an alternative to half-pressing the shutter release, it triggers the camera's auto focus system. You can if you wish have the camera set to that AF is not triggered by a shutter release half-press (CSM a5) and only by the AF-ON button (useful for fast action photography where continuous AF tracking is required). |
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Metering Mode
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3D Color matrix metering II / Color Matrix II / Color Matrix 3D Color matrix metering uses a 1005 pixel CCD to calculate the best exposure for the frame. 3D color matrix metering is only available with G type or D type lenses where the range information is used in conjunction with metered light. Color matrix II metering is used with other CPU lenses. Color matrix metering is used when focal length and aperture are entered manually using the 'Non-CPU lens data' menu item. |
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Center-weighted metering The camera uses the entire frame for light measurement but assigns a greater weight to an area in the center of the frame (by default a 12 mm circle indicated on the viewfinder focus screen). The size of the circle used to define the "center" of the frame can be set by CSM b5. |
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Spot metering The camera measures light only in a circle 4 mm in diameter. This is tied to the currently selected AF area point unless dynamic AF or a non-CPU lens is used when it defaults to the center of the frame. |
Exposure Modes
| P | Programmed Auto (flexible) In this mode the camera automatically selects aperture and shutter speed based on the current metered exposure value, exposure compensation and selected ISO sensitivity. Flexible program allows you to select one of a range of identical exposures (using different combinations of aperture and shutter speed) by turning the main command dial. Example: • 1/125 sec, F9 (turn left one click) • 1/160 sec, F8.0 (turn left one click) • 1/200 sec, F7.1 (metered) • 1/250 sec, F6.3 (turn right one click) • 1/320 sec, F5.6 (turn right one click) |
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| S | Shutter-Priority Auto In this mode you select the shutter speed and the camera will calculate the correct aperture depending on metered exposure, exposure compensation and ISO sensitivity. Turn the main command dial to select shutter speed in the range of 30 to 1/8000 sec (in 0.3, 0.5 or 1.0 EV exposure steps depending on CSM b3). |
| A | Aperture-Priority Auto In this mode you select the aperture and the camera will calculate the correct shutter speed depending on metered exposure, exposure compensation and ISO sensitivity. Turn the sub command dial to select aperture (in 0.3, 0.5 or 1.0 EV exposure steps depending on CSM b3). The exact range of apertures will depend on the lens used. |
| M |
Manual Exposure |
Top of camera controls (left)
The top left side of the camera has the mode dial which allows you to select the camera's drive mode, single, two continuous speeds, live view, self-timer or mirror up. This dial is locked from accidental change and can only be turned by holding the lock release pin to the top left of the dial. On the top of this dial are three buttons for bracketing, flash mode and function lock.
Mode Dial
| S | Single frame shooting One frame is taken with one depression of the shutter release button. You can of course still 'pump' shots as quickly as you can re-press the shutter release. The D3's shutter release button is the soft-press type which easily facilitates quick re-press. |
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| CL |
Continuous low speed shooting |
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Continuous high speed shooting |
| LV |
Live view |
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Self-timer Camera takes a shot after a predefined delay. This can be set to 2, 5, 10, or 20 seconds via CSM c3. |
| M-UP |
Mirror Up |
Buttons (combined with a command dial)
The D3 has four different bracketing modes; exposure and flash bracketing, just exposure bracketing, just flash bracketing and white balance bracketing. Bracketing mode can be selected through CSM e4, other bracketing settings are set by CSM e5 and CSM e6.
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| BKT | Auto Bracketing number shots • +3F (+2x, +x, 0) • -3F (-2x, -x, 0) • +2F (+x, 0) • -2F (-x, 0) • 0F (Off) • 3F (3 frames +x to -x) • 5F (5 frames +2x to +2x) • 7F (7 frames +3x to +3x) • 9F (9 frames +4x to +4x) (Where x = bracketing increment) |
Auto Bracketing EV increment • 0.3 EV • 0.7 EV • 1.0 EV |
| Auto Bracketing WB increment • 1 • 2 • 3 | ||
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Flash sync mode • Front-curtain sync (normal) • Slow sync • Rear-curtain sync • Red-eye reduction • Red-eye reduction with slow sync |
No function |
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Shutter speed lock • On • Off (Only available in shutter-priority or manual exposure modes) |
Aperture lock • On • Off (Only available in aperture-priority or manual exposure modes) |
Rear of camera controls
The rear of the D3 has been subtly redesigned compared to the D2X, however importantly Nikon hasn't messed too much with the control layout. Button layout is identical apart from: the shifted AE-L/AF-L button, a new separate 'SET' button in the center of the multi-selector, ENTER renamed to OK and switched vertical grip AF-ON and command dials. Buttons are large and easy to locate, learned quickly and logical.
Buttons (single press)
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Playback Enters or leaves playback mode, display mode used depends on the last used (left / right press of the multi selector) or thumbnail display mode. As with all shooting priority cameras the D3 immediately removes the playback display if you half-press the shutter release button although interestingly you can trigger AF (press AF-ON) without clearing the screen). |
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Delete *p In playback or record review, pressing this button displays a 'Delete?' confirmation dialog, press again to confirm deletion. Nikon's now de-facto 'double press delete' feature is very easy to use and understand and much faster than other delete implementations (why can't all cameras be this simple?). If you have a voice memo attached to the image the delete? confirmation dialog allows you to select between just deleting the sound or both the image and sound. |
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Format (Delete + Mode) Hold the Delete and Mode (top right of camera) buttons simultaneously for approximately two seconds for a shortcut to format the Compact Flash card, the camera first blinks 'For' on the top display and you must release the buttons and press once more to confirm the card format. |
| AE-L AF-L |
AE / AF Lock Pressing this button locks the current exposure and focus, in its default mode both AE and AF remain locked as long as you hold the button. CSM f6 allows you to change the function of this button with a range of AE / AF hold / lock options as well as other camera functions (such as metering, bracketing etc.) |
| MENU | Menu Display or cancel the camera menu, as with playback mode the menu is automatically cancelled if you half-press the shutter release button. |
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Playback zoom / thumbnail index *p Live view zoom |
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Protect / Info / Menu Help *p |
| OK | OK *p The OK button is used to confirm menu selections and dialog options. |
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Multi selector With no image displayed on the screen the multi selector is used to choose AF area, note that this function can be locked by turning the lock lever which surrounds the multi selector (this doesn't affect function in playback or menu mode). The multi selector is also used to change playback display modes (left / right), browse images in playback (up / down) and navigate menus / select dialog options. Various options are available for customizing this control: CSM f1, CSM f2 and CSM f3. |
*p - In record review or playback mode
Auto Focus Area Mode selector
Note that the exact function of the AF area mode also depends on the focus mode (AF-S or AF-C), a full summary of all combinations of focus mode and AF area mode can be found at the bottom of this page.
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Auto-area AF The camera uses all focus areas and automatically selects the correct focus points. From the user manual: "If type G or D lens is used, camera can distinguish human subjects from background for improved subject detection." |
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Dynamic-area AF Allows you to manually select one of the fifty-one focus points, however the camera will use information from multiple focus areas to determine focus. Useful for focusing on specific subjects which may move out of the focus area briefly. CSM a3 allows you to choose between 9 points, 21 points, 51 points or 51 points with 3D tracking. |
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Single-area AF Allows you to manually select one of the fifty-one focus areas, the camera will only use this area for auto focus. |
Front of camera controls
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On the left side of the camera front are two buttons, both of these buttons can be customized to perform a range of functions via CSM f4 and f5. By default the top button is is depth of field preview, press and hold this button to stop the lens down to the selected aperture, the button button performs flash value lock. On the right side of the camera front is the focus mode dial and above this the flash mode / compensation button.
Focus Mode selector
| S | Single servo AF (AF-S) Camera focus when shutter release button is half pressed and locks when the in-focus indicator (a solid dot) appears on the viewfinder status LCD. If the subject is moving when the shutter release button is half pressed the camera will focus track until a lock can be obtained. In this mode the default is for focus priority, this means that a shot can only be taken with a good focus lock, you can also choose release priority via CSM a2. |
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| C | Continuous servo AF (AF-C) The camera will focus continuously while the shutter release button is half pressed, if the subject moves the camera will adjust focus to compensate. In this mode the default is for release priority, this means that a shot will be taken whether or not the camera has a good focus lock, you can also choose focus priority via CSM a1. |
| M | Manual Focus Focusing is achieved manually by turning the lens manual focus ring. Focus indicator on the viewfinder status LCD will still indicate whether or not the selected manual focus is the same as the calculated auto focus. This mode is always release priority. |
Displays
The D3's new high resolution VGA screen (shared with the D300) really is a revelation, having a very fine pixel pitch means you don't see any gaps and that makes for both very detailed but also surprisingly smooth gradations in flat areas of the image. Record review and playback are certainly improved as a result of this new screen and one bonus we hadn't considered before we'd used it is that you tend not to zoom into images quite as far in playback in order to check sharpness / focus accuracy.
Shooting information
Press the info button in shooting mode (except live view) to show a full screen 'shooting information' display, we first saw a screen like this implemented in the D40 and there are certainly circumstances where having this level of information on one single screen can be very useful. The D3's shooting information screen automatically (or optionally manually) switches from light background to dark background in low light situations. My only gripe with this feature (same as the D300 implementation) was that the information display disappears as soon as you half-press the shutter release button and does not return, you have to press info again, it would have been nice to have a 'persistent shooting information' custom function.
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| Light screen background | Dark screen background (low light) |
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Virtual horizon
One clever new feature on the D3 is the Virtual horizon, it provides an aircraft-cockpit type live virtual horizon on the LCD monitor indicating the current orientation of the camera, perfectly horizontal or vertical and the camera axis line turns green (shown on the right below). My gripe with this feature is that its implementation makes it more toy-like than really useful, by default it is viewed via an option from the Setup menu (although can be assigned to a button) and disappears as soon as you half-press the shutter release. Far better I think if it were an opton integrated into the shooting information display (above).
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Record Review
You can choose for the D3 to display a review of the image taken immediately after shutter release. The type of display used will be the same as the last mode used in playback (histogram, thumbnail index, details etc.). Note that record review has all of the functionality of playback mode, this means its easy to delete, magnify, protect etc. The image will remain on the screen for the 'Monitor off delay' CSM c4 or until you half-press the shutter release.
Playback
Press the Playback button to enter playback mode, press the multi selector up or down to change display mode, up to six different pages of display detail are available. You can change the amount of information available in the basic and detailed photo display modes including optional blinking highlights and focus point display as well as the three pages of shooting information in detail mode. Note that you can switch the up/down and left/right functions of the multi selector via CSM f3 and that you can choose to also use the command dials to browse / change page via CSM f7.
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Basic photo display: file number, folder, filename, date & time, quality, size |
Basic photo display with optional Highlights and Focus point enabled |
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Detailed photo display: image thumbnail, histogram, exposure information and other data as per default display |
Detailed photo display optional RGB histogram page |
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| Detailed photo display data 1: metering mode, shutter speed, aperture, exposure mode, ISO, exposure compensation, focal length, lens used, AF mode, VR mode, flash mode and flash compensation | Detailed photo display data 2: white balance & fine tuning, color space, picture control and image parameter adjustments |
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| Detailed photo display data 3: noise reduction, active d-lighting, retouching, comment |
Playback Zoom
The D3's playback zoom is implemented in the same manner as the D2X (and D200), that you use the zoom / thumbnail button in combination with the rear command dial to select zoom amount (indicated by the yellow loupe box) and can use the multi-selector to move around the magnified image. Just like the D300 there are eight zoom levels, on the high resolution screen the last two go beyond 1:1 and provide an enlarged pixelated view.
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Playback thumbnail views
The D3 has two levels of thumbnail view, hold the zoom / thumbnail button and turn it to the left to switch to the initial 2x2 (4 image) view, turn once more for the 3x3 (9 image) view. Use the multi selector to move around the index. Note that if you have the 'Rotate Tall' option enabled images taken in the portrait orientation are displayed vertically (we had this option turned off in the captures below).
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| One click right for a 2 x 2 thumbnail view | Two clicks right for a 3 x 3 thumbnail view |
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Other Playback displays
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| After pressing the delete button simply press once more to confirm the deletion | An example of a protected image |
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Live view
Nikon's live view implementation on the D3 (and the D300) is one of the most usable and comprehensive to date, the high resolution screen and addition of contrast detect auto focus, in addition to the now typical mirror down / mirror up passive auto focus system, mean that are more situations where live view becomes useful.
Live view (auto focus) mode
As noted the D3 supports two AF methods which Nikon call Tripod and Hand-held modes, both require you to use the AF-ON button to achieve auto focus. In Tripod mode auto-focus is achieved using the main image sensor in a "contrast detect" manner (the same as a compact camera), this tends to be slower than normal passive AF but does maintain the live view. In Tripod mode you can move the AF point anywhere within the frame using the multi-selector. In Hand-held mode the live view blanks out when you press AF-ON, the mirror drops and the camera focuses using the normal "passive" auto-focus sensor. Live view only returns when you release the AF-ON button, I personally found this a bit annoying, it should return as soon as the camera achieves AF lock.
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| Live view in Tripod mode | Live view in Hand-held mode |
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Live view display modes
Press the info button to remove any overlaid information, you can also optionally enable grid lines which are in the same position as the grid lines shown on the viewfinder focusing screen.
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| Default live view display | Live view without information |
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| Live view with grid lines and information |
Live view magnification
Just as in playback mode you can magnify live view by holding the zoom / thumbnails button and turning the rear command dial to the right. While magnified you can use the multi-selector to move around the live image. The D3 appears to be able to go all the way to 1:1 magnification (one pixel on the sensor for one pixel on the LCD) which makes it easy to achieve absolutely perfect focus.
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Live view auto focus
The following video clips shows live view in use to auto-focus, magnify live view, take an exposure and finally magnify the image in record review. The first clip shows contrast detect auto-focus (slower but keeps live view) and the second passive detect (faster but live view disappears and you must release the AF-ON button once focus has locked).
Contrast detect (tripod mode)
Passive detect (hand-held mode)
HDMI output / High Definition display
Announced just a few days before the Sony DSLR-A700 the Nikon D3 and D300 were officially the first digital cameras with HDMI digital high definition video output. From the setup menu you can select between Auto, 480p, 576p, 720p or 1080i output, in this section we are only going to examine the 720p and 1080i options. HDMI output works in any mode which would otherwise use the LCD monitor; shooting information, menus, live view and playback. It has to be said that using live view over HDMI to a HD LCD or Plasma screen really is an amazing experience and could be extremely useful in studio photography situations. Below we have provided captures of HDMI output in both 720p (1280 x 720) and 1080i (1920 x 1080) resolutions just to give you a sense of the amount of detail visible. My only disappointment would be that there didn't seem to be a way to display the image without any shooting information (except when magnifying), this means that the default display (top image below) is only using 74% of screen width (theoretically, given aspect ratio differences this could be 84% without the status lines at the bottom).
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| Normal playback via HDMI (1080i; 335 KB) |
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| Zoomed playback via HDMI (1080i; 247 KB) |
Menus
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The D3's menu system of the same design as the D300, an evolution of a newer cleaner design first seen on the D200. Because of the larger and higher resolution LCD on the D3 (and D300) Nikon has chosen to use a slightly smaller font size which allows each menu page to show eight options (the same as the D2X). Navigation remains the same, the multi-way controller and Enter button. You can also configure the command dials to provide menu navigation. |
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Shooting / CSM menu banks
When working in the Shooting or CSM menus you are in actual fact changing the settings of a 'menu bank'. There are four banks for each of the Shooting and Custom function menus; A to D, each bank can be given a more meaningful label and the currently selected bank letter is indicated on the top control panel for quick reference. This is very useful for quickly switching between a type of shot or situation.
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Help pages
The D3 has the same help feature we first saw on the D2X, a setting with available help is indicated by a circular question mark icon (?) at the bottom left of the screen. Press and hold the protect button to display a context sensitive help page.
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Playback menu
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| Option | Values / Actions | Notes |
| Delete | • Selected • All |
- Thumbnail selection |
| Playback folder | • NC_D3 • All • Current |
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| Hide image | • Select / set • Deselect all? |
- Thumbnail selection |
| Display mode | • Basic photo info  Highlights Focus point • Detailed photo info RGB HistogramData |
Allows you to toggle different items of information shown in either basic or detailed photo display modes. |
| Copy image(s) | • Select image(s)100NC_D3 Deselect allSelect all imagesSelect protected images • Select destintation folder Select folder by number Select folder from list • Copy image(s)? YesNo |
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| Image review | • Off • On |
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| After delete | • Show next • Show previous • Continue as before |
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| Rotate tall | • On • Off |
When enabled portrait shots appear vertically orientated. |
| Slide show | • Start • Frame interval 2 sec3 sec5 sec10 sec• Audio playback On Frame interval Length of voice memo Off |
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| Print set (DPOF) | • Select / set • Deselect all? |
- Thumbnail selection |
Shooting menu
A green superscript one (¹) indicates the default setting.
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|---|---|---|
| Option | Values / Actions | Notes / Sub options |
| Shooting menu bank | • A ¹ • B • C • D • Rename Text entry |
Four banks of settings can be memorized and quickly switched, each bank can be labeled (see above). |
| Reset shooting menu | • Yes • No |
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| Active folder | • New folder number • Select folder |
- Create new folder. |
| File naming | • File namingText entry |
Change name prefix (default DSC). |
| Slot 2 | • Overflow ¹ • Backup • RAW Slot 1 - JPEG Slot 2 |
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| Image quality | • NEF (RAW) + JPEG Fine • NEF (RAW) + JPEG Normal • NEF (RAW) + JPEG Basic • NEF (RAW) • TIFF (RGB) • JPEG Fine • JPEG Normal ¹ • JPEG Basic |
Select image quality. |
| Image size | • Large ¹ • Medium • Small |
- 4256 x 2832 / 12.1 M - 3184 x 2120 / 6.8 M - 2128 x 1416 / 3.0 M |
| Image area | • Auto DX cropOn ¹Off • Choose image area FX format (36x24) ¹DX format (24x16) 5:4 (30x24) |
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| JPEG compression | • Size priority ¹ • Optimal quality |
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| NEF (RAW) recording | • Type Lossless compressed ¹CompressedUncompressed • NEF (RAW) bit depth 12-bit ¹14-bit |
Set the type of compression used in the NEF file as well as the bit-depth recorded. Note that 14-bit NEF files are about 1.3 times larger than 12-bit NEF. |
| White balance | • Auto ¹ • Incandescent • Fluorescent • Direct Sunlight • Flash • Cloudy • Shade • Choose color temp. • Preset manual |
- A-B, G-M grid to fine tune WB - "- "- "- "- "- "- 2500 K - 10000 K - Select / program preset WB |
| Set Picture Control | • StandardQuick adjust (-2 to +2)Sharpening (A, 0 to 9)Contrast (A, -3 to +3)Brightness (-1 to +1)Saturation (A, -3 to +3)Hue (-3 to +3) • Neutral Quick adjust (-2 to +2)Sharpening (A, 0 to 9)Contrast (A, -3 to +3)Brightness (-1 to +1)Saturation (A, -3 to +3)Hue (-3 to +3)• Vivid Quick adjust (-2 to +2)Sharpening (A, 0 to 9)Contrast (A, -3 to +3)Brightness (-1 to +1)Saturation (A, -3 to +3)Hue (-3 to +3)• Monochrome Sharpening (A, 0 to 9)Contrast (A, -3 to +3)Brightness (-1 to +1)Filter (Off, Y, O, R, G) Toning (10 options) • [custom] |
- Default (3, 0, 0, 0, 0) - Default (2, 0, 0, 0, 0) - Default (4, 0, 0, 0, 0) - Default (3, 0, 0, 0, 0) |
| Manage Picture Control | • Save/edit • Rename • Delete • Load/save |
- Create custom Picture Control sets |
| Color Space | • sRGB ¹ • Adobe RGB |
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| Active D-Lighting | • High • Normal • Low • Off ¹ |
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| Long exp. NR | • On • Off ¹ |
Enables dark frame subtraction NR for exposures of 1/2 sec or longer. |
| High ISO NR | • High • Normal • Low • Off ¹ |
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| ISO sensitivity settings | • ISOLO 1LO 0.7LO 0.3200 ¹250320400500640800100012501600200025003200400050006400HI 0.3HI 0.7HI 1HI 2 • ISO sensitivity auto control On / Off ¹Maximum sensitivity400800160032006400 ¹HI 1HI 2 Minimum shutter speed1/250 - 1 sec |
Available sensitivities depend on ISO step custom setting (CSM b2). Full range: LO 1 = ISO 100 to HI 2 = ISO 25600. |
| Live view | • Live view modeHand-heldTripod • Release mode Single frameContinuous low-speed Continuous high-speed |
- Phase detect AF - Contrast detect AF |
| Multiple exposure | • Done • Number of shots 2 - 10 • Auto gain On Off |
Create a new image from between two and ten exposures. |
| Interval timer shooting | • Start NowStart time • Interval [hh:mm:ss]• Select Intvl*Shots [000] x [0] = 0001 • Start OffOn |
Time lapse / interval shooting. |
Menus (contd.)
The cameras custom settings are split into six alphabetical color coded categories, this makes it easier to remember a specific option and quicker to enter the custom settings menu at the correct position. You can still scroll through all custom settings options as one big menu if you wish. Note that on this menu an asterisk (*) next to a custom setting means that it has been changed to something other than the camera default. A green superscript one (¹) indicates the default setting.
Custom Settings Menu (a: Autofocus)
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| Option | Values / Actions | Notes |
| a1 AF-C priority selection | • Release ¹ • Release + focus • Focus |
Defines if camera must have focus lock before shutter release. |
| a2 AF-S priority selection | • Release • Focus ¹ |
Defines if focus lock is required before shutter release. |
| a3 Dynamic AF area | • 9 points ¹ • 21 points • 51 points • 51 points (3D-tracking) |
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| a4 Focus tracking with lock-on | • Long • Normal ¹ • Short • Off |
Controls how focusing is affected by subject distance changing and how quickly the system should react. |
| a5 AF activation | • Shutter / AF-ON ¹ • AF-ON Only |
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| a6 Focus point illumination | • Manual focus modeOn ¹Off • Continuous mode On ¹Off |
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| a7 Focus point wrap-around | • Wrap • No wrap ¹ |
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| a8 AF point selection | • 51 points ¹ • 11 points |
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| a9 AF-ON button | • AF-ON ¹ • AE/AF-L lock • AE lock only • AE lock (reset on rel.) • AE lock (hold) • AF lock only |
Customize the function of the AF-ON button. |
| a10 Vertical AF-ON button | • Same as AF-ON • AF-ON ¹ • AE/AF-L lock • AE lock only • AE lock (reset on rel.) • AE lock (hold) • AF lock only |
Customize the function of the AF-ON button on the vertical grip. |
Custom Settings Menu (b: Metering / exposure)
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| Option | Values / Actions | Notes |
| b1 ISO sensitivity step value | • 1/3 step ¹ • 1/2 step • 1 step |
Set the steps used for selection of ISO sensitivity. |
| b2 EV steps for exposure ctl. | • 1/3 step ¹ • 1/2 step • 1 step |
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| b3 Exp comp/fine tune | • 1/3 step ¹ • 1/2 step • 1 step |
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| b4 Easy exposure compens. | • On (Auto reset) • On • Off ¹ |
Enables 'Easy Exposure Compensation' which can be accessed by turning a dial. |
| b5 Center weight area | • 8 mm • 12 mm ¹ • 15 mm • 20 mm • Average |
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| b6 Fine tune exposure | • Yes Matrix meteringCenter-weightedSpot metering • No ¹ |
Allows you to fine tune metered exposure values in the range of -1.0 EV to +1.0 EV in 1/6 EV steps. |
Custom Settings Menu (c: Timers / AE Lock)
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| Option | Values / Actions | Notes |
| c1 Shutter-release butt. AE-L | • On • Off ¹ |
Define lock AE during shutter release half-press. |
| c2 Auto meter-off delay | • 4 s • 6 s ¹ • 8 s • 16 s • 30 s • 1 min • 5 min • 10 min • 30 min • No Limit |
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| c3 Self-timer delay | • 2 s • 5 s • 10 s ¹ • 20 s |
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| c4 Monitor off delay | • 10 s • 20 s ¹ • 1 m • 5 m • 10 m |
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Custom Settings Menu (d: Shooting / display)
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| Option | Values / Actions | Notes |
| d1 Beep |
• High |
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| d2 Shooting speed |
• Continuous high-speed |
Define shooting speed for the two continuous drive modes. |
| d3 Max continuous release |
• 1 - 100 |
Maximum shots in a burst. |
| d4 File Number Sequence | • On ¹ • Off • Reset |
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| d5 Control panel/viewfinder | • Rear control panelISO sensitivity ¹Exposures remaining • Viewfinder display Frame count ¹Exposures remaining |
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| d6 Shooting info display | • Auto ¹ • Manual Dark on lightLight on dark |
Defines if shooting info display should automatically change color in dark |
| d7 LCD illumination | • On • Off ¹ |
When on any button will light the control panel. |
| d8 Exposure delay mode | • On • Off ¹ |
Shutter release is delayed 1.0 sec to avoid vibration. |
Custom Settings Menu (e: Bracketing / flash)
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|---|---|---|
| Option | Values / Actions | Notes |
| e1 Flash sync speed |
• 1/320 (Auto FP) |
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| e2 Flash shutter speed | • 1/60 s ¹ • 1/30 s • 1/15 s • 1/8 s • 1/4 s • 1/2 s • 1 s • 2 s • 4 s • 8 s • 15 s • 30 s |
Slowest flash shutter speed. |
| e3 Modeling flash | • On ¹ • Off |
DOF preview button. |
| e4 Auto bracketing set | • AE & Flash ¹ • AE only • Flash only • WB bracketing |
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| e5 Auto bracketing (Mode M) | • Flash / Speed ¹ • Flash / Speed / Apt. • Flash / Aperture • Flash Only |
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| e6 Bracketing order | • Meter > Under > Over ¹ • Under > Meter > Over |
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Custom Settings Menu (f: Controls)
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| Option | Values / Actions | Notes |
| f1 Multi selector center button |
• Shooting mode |
Multi selector center button function. |
| f2 Multi selector | • Reset meter-off delay • Do nothing ¹ |
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| f3 Photo info / playback | • Info <>, PB ^v • Info ^v, PB <> ¹ |
Multi selector role in single image playback. |
| f4 Assign FUNC button |
• FUNC button press |
Define the function of the FUNC button (front of the camera below the DOF preview button), both a single press and a hold with dial turn. |
| f5 Assign preview button |
• Preview button press |
Define the function of the preview button (front of the camera above the FUNC button), both a single press and a hold with dial turn. |
| f6 Assign AE-L/AF-L button | • AE-L/AF-L button press PreviewFV LockAE/AF lock ¹AE lock onlyAE lock (reset on rel.)AE lock (hold)AF lock onlyAF-ONFlash offBracketing burstMatrix meteringCenter-weighted mtr. Spot meteringVirtual horizon None • AE-L/AF-L button + dials Choose image area Choose non-CPU lensNone ¹ |
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| f7 Customize command dials | • Reverse rotationYesNo ¹ • Change main / sub OnOff ¹• Aperture setting Sub-command dial ¹Aperture ring• Menus and Playback OnOff ¹ |
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| f8 Release button to use dial | • Yes • No ¹ |
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| f9 No memory card? | • Release locked ¹ • Enable release |
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| f10 Reverse indicators | • + ---- 0 ---- - ¹ • - ---- 0 ---- + |
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Menus (contd.)
Setup menu
A green superscript one (¹) indicates the default setting.
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|---|---|---|
| Option | Values / Actions | Notes |
| Format memory card | • Slot 1YesNo • Slot 2 YesNo |
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| LCD brightness | • -3 to +3 | |
| Lock mirror up for cleaning | • Start | |
| Video Mode | • NTSC ¹ • PAL |
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| HDMI | • Auto ¹ • 480p • 576p • 720p • 1080i |
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| World Time | • Time zoneSelect • Date and time Date set Time set • Date format yy/mm/ddmm/dd/yydd/mm/yy• Daylight saving time OffOn |
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| Language | • German • English • Spanish • Finnish • French • Italian • Dutch • Polish • Portuguese • Russian • Swedish • Chinese Traditional • Chinese Simplified • Japanese • Korean |
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| Image comment | • Done • Input comment Text entry• Attach comment |
When enabled the comment is written into the header of each image. |
| Auto image rotation | • On ¹ • Off |
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| Voice memo | • Off ¹ • On (Auto and manual) • Manual only |
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| Voice memo overwrite | • Disable ¹ • Enable |
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| Voice memo button | • Press and hold ¹ • Press to start/stop |
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| Audio output | • Via speaker • HDMI/audio-video output • Off ¹ |
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| USB | • Mass Storage ¹ • MTP / PTP |
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| Dust off ref photo | • Start | Used to capture a 'dust reference image' for the 'Dust Off' feature of Nikon Capture. (RAW only). |
| Battery Info | • Battery meter • Picture meter • Calibration • Charging life |
Information display only. |
| Wireless transmitter | ||
| Image authentication | • On • Off ¹ |
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| Save/load settings | • Save settings • Load settings |
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| GPS | • Auto meter off • Position |
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| Virtual horizon | • (Display) | |
| Non-CPU lens data | • Done • Lens number (1 - 9) • Focal length (6 - 4000) • Max aperture (F1.2 - F22) |
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| AF fine tune | • AF fine tune (On/Off)OffOn • Saved value (+/- 20) • Default (+/- 20) • List saved values |
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| Firmware Version | • Version No.A x.00 B x.00 |
Information display only. |
Retouch menu
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|---|---|---|
| Option | Values / Actions | Notes |
| D-Lighting | • Select image LowNormalHigh |
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| Red-eye correction | • Select image | |
| Trim | • Select imageZoom / ScrollAspect |
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| Monochrome | • Black-and-white Select image • Sepia Select image • Cyanotype Select image |
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| Filter effects | • Skylight Select image • Warm filter Select image |
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| Color balance | • Select image Color wheel |
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| Image overlay | • Image 1 • Image 2 • Preview |
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| Side-by-side comparison | • Select images | |
My menu
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|---|---|---|
| Option | Values / Actions | Notes |
| Add items | • Select image Playback menu Shooting menu Custom setting menuSetup menu Retouch menu |
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| Remove items | • Select item to remove | |
| Rank items | • Select item to re-order |
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