Nikon D3 - Expert Reviews

Review summary: Nikon's quest for speed spawned the Usain Bolt of DSLRs, keen on showboatin' a full-frame, 12.1-megapixel image sensor that fires up to nine frames per second. Truth is, this pro-level camera's blazing speed is just a start. The 51-point focusing ...

Pros: High-ISO shooting is fantastic, with low noise, even at ISO 3200. In-camera RAW conversion. Live-view function is the best of the top-end DSLRs. Dual CF card capability.

Cons: So many functions it could take a lifetime to nail them all. No dust-busting sensor-cleaning system

Review summary: The D3 is Nikon's most advanced digital camera and is aimed at the highest end of photographers. This full-frame DSLR is characterized by the outstanding quality of its images and its ultra-high-ISO capability. Indeed, the D3 produces the cleanest ISO ...

Pros: Exceptional ISO range, Clean up to ISO 6400, Excellent exposure, Class leading continuous drive, up to 11 FPS crop, Super fast & responsive, Fast 51-point auto focus, Large 100% coverage viewfinder, Superb LCD resolution

Cons: Poor automatic white-balance in artificial light, Viewfinder eye-point is very close, Small AE-L/AF-L button, Small RAW burst depth compared to competition, Fiddly metering dial, No built-in flash, Barely noticeable shutter halfway point, Quite heavy

Review summary: Nikon has finally delivered its full-frame sensor, 12-megapixel D3 camera. It reaches new heights in imaging with extremely low noise at astronomical ISO sensitivities, while maintaining the pro-level control and body design Nikonians have come to ...

Pros: Full-frame sensor ; pro-level weather-sealed body ; low noise ; speed

Cons: Resolution lags far behind the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III and Sony's forthcoming 24-megapixel dSLR

Verdict: Nikon's flagship dSLR packs a full-frame 12-megapixel sensor and is a highly versatile imaging powerhouse that lets photographers create images previously impossible to capture. As long as you can get used to this camera's solid weight, it's a ...

Review summary: A true pro camera that slots in nicely between the flagship Canons

Verdict: This means it's simply astonishing at capturing detail and making the most of the available light to saturate images with lush colours – noticeably better than the 1D MkIII, particularly at ISO 1600 and above, where the shots are less flat

Award: Editor's Choice!

Pros: Full-frame sensor ; well designed, pro-level weather-sealed body ; very low noise, even at extremely high ISOs ; fast

Cons: Resolution lags far behind the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III and Sony's forthcoming 24-megapixel dSLR

Verdict: Nikon's flagship dSLR packs a full-frame 12-megapixel sensor and is a highly versatile imaging powerhouse that lets photographers create images previously impossible to capture.