D3 | D3X - Reliability and Operability

Reliability and Operability

Shutter Unit A durable shutter unit tested to 300,000 cycles

Nikon’s proprietary shutter mechanism achieves unprecedented durability. For the reliability professionals demand, the shutter of the D3 and D3X has been tested for 300,000 cycles.
And to ensure rigorous real-world conditions, this type of testing is always performed on fully assembled cameras.

Self-diagnostic shutter monitor

Shutter speeds range from 1/8,000 sec. to 30 sec., with an internal mechanism that automatically monitors and corrects possible variances between the designated shutter speed and the actual shutter timing over the shutter mechanism’s life span.

Mirror balancer

A sophisticated mirror balance mechanism reduces the time required to lower the mirror. In addition to minimizing mirror bounce, the mirror balancer extends viewing time, allowing more time for AF operation — this is one reason the D3 and D3X can offer autofocus and Focus Tracking even at high-speed continuous shooting.

Body Designed to work in the toughest conditions

Magnesium alloy body

Rugged, durable and precise magnesium alloy construction protects the incomparable technologies of the D3 and D3X and their ability to perform in demanding real-world conditions. An amazingly strong-yet-lightweight magnesium alloy is used for the body, exterior cover, chassis, and mirror box of the D3 and D3X to assure superb, reliable performance and longer life.

Improved ergonomics

Features mean nothing if they’re difficult to access. That’s why all buttons and dials of the D3 and D3X have ideal sizes and clear functions. The layout shares the same logical consistency as Nikon’s previous professional D-SLRs, along with further improvements, such as Command Dials with a 5-degree inclination for natural rotation using your index finger.

Countermeasures against dust, moisture and electromagnetic interference

The D3 and D3X go the extra mile to protect against invasive moisture, dust and even electromagnetic interference. A comprehensive series of O-rings and other specialized seals, combined with additional Nikon engineering, keeps you shooting when lesser cameras would fail.

Viewfinder More flexibility in shooting and checking

Approx. 100% frame coverage

The large prism mirror of the D3 and D3X gives you the FX-format visual advantage when you shoot. Not only is the viewfinder image brighter, but the finder screen is also carefully designed for you to sense focus more intuitively, be it manual or autofocus.

3-inch, 920k-dot super-density, 170-degree color LCD monitor

The large, super-density color LCD monitor of the D3 and D3X delivers bright, crisp image playback, with enlargement up to 27x (Large-size images in FX format), making on-the-spot image confirmation easier and more precise.
And the 170-degree wide-angle viewing makes image review and Live View modes even more useful in challenging conditions.

Live View

The fast image-processing capacity and large, high-definition, wide viewing angle LCD of the D3 and D3X add up to an entirely new level of potential for professionals. Introducing the Live View function. Using the LCD as your viewfinder, Live View is extremely useful for still life photography in a studio, where exact focus is crucial. Live View is also useful for outdoor and other difficult shooting situations when you cannot physically see your subject through the viewfinder.
The D3 and D3X offer two modes: Tripod Mode and Handheld Mode.

Tripod Mode with precision Contrast-detect AF

Tripod Mode is ideal for still life photography in a studio environment. The high-precision, Contrast-detect AF of the D3 and D3X gives you faster and more accurate focusing than manual focus, with the actual image being captured on the imaging sensor simultaneously confirmed on a large, high-definition LCD for newfound certainty.
And because the imaging sensor itself works for AF detection, you can use a much wider area than the 51-point autofocus areas, for exceptionally sharp results. You can also control focus and shutter release from a personal computer via Camera Control Pro 2.

Handheld Mode

In situations where you are unable to look through the viewfinder, Handheld Mode can be a great help. First, select your focus point from the 51 points available, then use the wide, 170-degree viewing angle to compose easily, even if you’re holding your D3 or D3X over the heads in a crowd.

Electronic Virtual Horizon

The super-density color LCD monitor of the D3 and D3X, combined with Nikon’s innovative Electronic Virtual Horizon, delivers instant, accurate confirmation of the position of the D3 and D3X relative to “horizontal level.” You can also level the D3 and D3X while looking through the viewfinder using the handy analog scale. In Live View shooting, you can choose to display the virtual horizon on the LCD, above the monitor image.^* Ideal for landscape and architecture photography.
* With the D3, firmware upgrade is required.

Two types of information display

Choose from black letters or white letters, according to lighting conditions, to ensure your information display is legible. The menu is formatted large and clear for easy recognition. You can also set the camera so the color of letters switches automatically, depending on the brightness of the large, 3.0-inch LCD monitor.

Image area options

The D3 and D3X offer three image areas to choose from: FX format (36 x 24), DX format (24 x 16), and 5:4 (30 x 24). DX format uses the center of the viewfinder and allows up to 11-frames-per-second shooting speed for the D3 and 7 fps for the D3X. When a DX NIKKOR lens is used, DX mode is automatically selected or can be manually selected through Custom Settings with any AF NIKKOR lens.

HDMI compatibility

Images taken can be viewed in HDTV format by supporting HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) that enables world-standard digital A/V signal transfer. Standard Type A connector is employed.

Twin CF card slots

Now you can use two CF cards simultaneously for a number of functions: recording two full CF cards of data; recording the same data simultaneously onto two cards for backup protection; recording RAW and JPEG simultaneously to separate cards; transferring data from one card to another.

Function button

Designate frequently used features to the Function button. Up to 13 functions are available. You can also do the same with the Preview button and the AF/AE Lock button.

Long-life battery

The D3 and D3X use the same EN-EL4 or EN-EL4a rechargeable batteries that have been field-proven over the years with the D2 series D-SLRs. What’s more, because the power consumption and power management systems of the D3 and D3X have been engineered for greater operating efficiency, professionals can expect the added bonus of even longer battery life: up to approx. 4,300 frames per charge with the D3^*and as much as 4,400 frames per charge with the D3X^*.
* Based on CIPA Standards, with EN-EL4a battery

Features