High ISO Performance. Blows EVERYTHING out of the water in this area. No other camera made right at this moment even comes close. In a league of its own.

12megapixels. This leads to smaller files and is easier to deal with for event work

Very fast autofocus and very reliable tracking

Big serious camera. Feels solid, looks solid. Built to last like no other camera I have held in my hands.

Very nice looking video even in very very low light.

No flash or other means to trigger the Nikon CLS for off camera flash.
The color Red and Magenta. Tends to blow them out badly under certain conditions.
Big and heavy but this is also sort of a plus depending on how you look at it.
No AF tracking in video

The D3s is an amazing workhorse camera. It has changed the way I go about taking pictures due to the high ISO ability. I shoot mostly low light action. I have probably shot more at 10,000 and 12,800 ISO than any other setting. It is just stunning. At these levels the noise is completely manageable in LR3.

In use the D3s is big and heavy. But it balances very well with bigger lenses such as a 24-70 and 70-200. So it doesn't seem to wear me out. At normal ISOs the colors and textures that big sensor puts out are beautiful and rich. The controls are all easy to find and use. If you use any other Nikon DSLR you will instantly be able to use the D3s.

The only complaint I have with this camera is that it doesn't have a way to trigger off camera flashes. Not that it needs a pop up flash itself. Just a way to emit the signal to trigger the Nikon CLS. I use this quite a bit and it would be nice to use my SB900 as a flash, instead of a trigger.

Customer Service

Haven't needed Nikon yet. But my service at Pictureline is first rate.

Similar Products Used:

D300s, D700

Amazing picture quality, fast auto focus, high iso performance, superb build quality, excellent layout, beautiful lcd screen, best dslr ever (imo)

Only one. I wish you didn't have to hold the AE-L, AF-L down to use it.. On a Canon 1d body you only have to press it once to lock it. no other weaknesses

First, I will say that i have owned many high end cameras, mostly Canon. I owned the 1D mark II, 1D mark III, 5D, 5D mark II. I recently switched to Nikon. First, the D700, which was an excellent camera, and now the D3S. I have to say that it is the best camera i have ever held, or used. Its sensor performance is amazing! I've taken photos at iso 12800 and 10000 with no noise reduction other than in camera, and the photos were so clean and colorful, i couldn't believe it. The functions and buttons are well laid out as so many other nikon users say. I am still new to the camera system, but i feel it is better than any other I have used. A winner for sure. I cant wait to use it more and more. Now i must buy some more lenses. I currently use my 135mm f/2 DC on my D3S and a 60mm f/2.8g micro. Both are super sharp lenses which fully compliment this camera.. I need a long lens now. Anywho, happy picture taking to all.

Duel CF slots, manual controls, Absolute incredible high ISO, silent mode,

Price, Low light cameras should have buttons that light up as well - I could really use that feature,

Scared out of my mind, a couple weeks ago I sold $10,000 Canon equipment to get this camera and switch to Nikon. I shoot concerts professionally and was using a 5d mark 2. I used it because I love full frame and using super wide angle lenses. I have not shot any concerts with the D3s yet, but not being bias toward either brand, Let me just say this camera is amazing. Canon I feel has led the race until now. I've been testing the camera since I received it about a week ago, I usually shoot 3200 Iso with my 5d mark 2, besides the autofocus being terrible in low light, I would always have a battle with noise. This camera I tested in low light in my house on some christmas figurines and I shot at 6400, I AM TRULEY AMAZED!!!!!!!!! Almost no noise with no noise filters added. With adding Noiseware Pro added, All noise was gone and looked like 400 iso. I am in total disbelief. Also low light focusing is amazing as well. Also, I personally need super wide angle. I personally switched because my Canon 16-35L 2.8 on the new mark 4 would be roughly 21mm at its widest setting. NO GOOD for me. The new D3s with the 14-24 will be a true 14 mm. Last the duel CF slots and Manual controls secured my decision. After using the manual controls instead of searching Canon menus for the same options that have a manual control on the Nikon, I will never go back. If I may also add, and most who read this will think I am crazy but in addition to the camera I purchased the 70-200 2.8 VR II, This rez this lens can produce is breath taking, sharpness beyond anything I've ever seen come from a zoom lens and many prime lens. Super Tack sharp, even when zoomed way in on the Camera LCD. The D3s with this lens is a surreal combo.

Low noise at unbelievably high ISO ranges. Extremely fast in all respects such as continuous shooting, focus and high shutter speeds due to its ISO range.

I haven't really found any weaknesses yet, other than it's very big and heavy (of course for a pro body). Lenses are also bigger because of the full frame FX sensor to get the focal lengths I need.

With a few weeks of use under my belt, the D3S certainly lives up to all the hype. My shots at ISO 12,800 with standard in camera high ISO NR are close to perfect. All my experimental shots at ISO 25,600, 51,200 and even 102,400 are better than acceptable, especially if I apply noise reduction using Dfine 2.0 using a standard profile. Shots taken at ISO 102,400 were in what I'd call darkness, so I was impressed that the camera could even focus and take any shot. I saw things in those images that were not visible to the naked eye.

Although it's not the reason I bought the camera, the movie mode is fun. The camera uses the contrast detection focusing system and auto-focuses very nicely while making a movie. I have been able to take pictures in near darkness since it can go all the way to ISO 102,400, which is pretty amazing. The video quality is excellent even at 720p.

Customer Service

I haven't had any need yet.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon D2Xs, Mamiya 645 Pro TL, Zenza Bronica ETRS II, various Canon bodies.