Nikon D3S - ISO 102,400 Plus HD Video

[Photo-John]

Nikon has jumped into the ring with another big digital SLR announcement. The new FX-format D3S digital SLR has a maximum sensitivity of ISO 102,400 (Hi 3) and 720p video capture. From the looks of the published samples (links in article), this one is going to be a high ISO winner, just like the D3 was. And this time it has sensor cleaning, too

Nikon D3S Digital SLR Announcement Article >>

What do you think? Some people seem to think it's just an enhanced D3. But I think it's more than that - a lot more. Take a look at the sample images before you reply

[Franglais]

It seems sensible to me. I don't need more than 10Mpix for an action camera, but having more ISO is useful in dark situations (I did a nighttime street event this month and even at 3200ISO and a f1.8 lens I was struggling. If my eyes can see in these conditions, the camera should be able to as well).

The sensor shaker was a must. I don't need video - I think.. It's Paris PMA this weekend. I'll try to take a look at it but the Nikon stand is likely to be crowded.

People say that the Canon 1D Mk IV will be announced next week..

[GB1]

What's up with Nikon, why release a 12.1 when supposedly the upcoming D700x, which is slotted below the D3, will have a 24 MP sensor?

[Photo-John]

What's up with Nikon, why release a 12.1 when supposedly the upcoming D700x, which is slotted below the D3, will have a 24 MP sensor?

Did you read my article? There's a very good reason to keep the resolution low. Not everyone needs or wants more than 12-megapixels. In this case, keeping the resolution low means having awesome high ISO performance and speed. The D3S is meant for photojournalists, sports photographers and maybe concert photographers for whom speed and low light performance are more important than a ridiculous number of pixels.

[GB1]

Ok, I read the article. I guess "S" stands for speed (informally, anyway..)

[Loupey]

Anyone want to buy a bunch of Canon equipment?

[SmartWombat]

I wonder if Canon can keep up with this, or want to.
Roll on the 1DmkIV

[drg]

I wondering how long before a mass market camera is released that has a base ISO rating that is in four digits as opposed to cameras that are just lower noise.

Why not produce a camera with a sensor that starts at around 3200 ISO and goes up from there?? Imagine images that have the noise of todays 100/200 ISO based cameras that you can shoot with no flash, indoors, edge of darkenss, sports in really bad light, etc.!! O.K. I've been harping on this topic for a couple of years and will probably have to wait just a little longer.

I do want to see a real world test of this camera with the higher settings! The D3 and D700 are already quite amazing. Suppose i'll just have to sell my soul for another month or two to go play with the Nikon folks some more.

[Loupey]

...Why not produce a camera with a sensor that starts at around 3200 ISO and goes up from there??...

Yeah, I too brought up this topic a year or two ago. Surely if there is no penalty for using (what we currently consider) extremely high ISOs, then many people will naturally see no reason not to think of those values as the new "normal".

But I still think the lower ISO's will be necessary for getting those long exposures and for shots which require extremely shallow DOF.

[livin4lax09]

yeah, low iso's will always be useful. I have wished for ISO 1 before, that would be fun. 5 hour expsoures in the mid-day sun? Well, maybe I'm exaggerating. But starting at ISO 3200 you'd need a pretty thick ND filter to do any long exposure stuff.