Nikon D3s Takes Light Sensitivity Higher - from Gadgetwise

On Wednesday, Nikon took the wraps off a follow-up to the pro-level D3 D.S.L.R. with a new model that features advanced ISO and noise-handling capabilities for better low-light photography, as well as a high-definition movie mode.

The new D3s, a 12.1-megapixel FX format camera with a body-only price of $5,200 (that figure will stop most of you here), builds on the platform of the D3. With a redesigned full-frame CMOS sensor and expanded ISO settings up to 12,800 (and a whopping 102,400 ISO using “expanded sensitivity” settings), it should excel in low-light photography. The D3, by comparison, had a maximum ISO of 6400 and an expanded sensitivity that topped out at 25,600.

I met with Nikon several weeks ago and its executives had no photos taken with the D3s at its highest ISO settings to share. But I asked Lindsay Silverman, Nikon’s senior technical manager, if images snapped at an ISO of 102,400 would be jarringly noisy. “Photos at this ISO certainly will have more noise, but it’s better than not getting the shot at all,” he said. Which is a good point.

What’s more, Nikon says tweaks to its Expeed processor and CMOS sensor have improved the camera’s signal-to-noise ratio at higher ISOs. This is achieved, in part, because the D3s’s new CMOS sensor has individual pixels that are larger than those of the D3; larger pixels provide enhanced sensitivity to light and deliver better highlights and shadows, Mr. Silverman said.

And to keep that sensor spiffy, Nikon has added an automatic sensor cleaning capability.

As for movie clips, the D3s has a movie mode that captures video in 720p resolution (1280 by 720 pixels) at 24 frames per second in full manual mode, meaning you can set the aperture and also underexpose or overexpose scenes if you like, Mr. Silverman said. You can also extract a single frame from a video clip and save it as a 9-megapixel JPEG file. What’s more, the D3s has an input for an optional stereo microphone, allowing you to record video in stereo if you use an external mic.

Many of the other D3s specs are the same as the D3: Both have a 51-area autofocus for accurate focusing and a three-inch, 920,000-dot LCD. While they both capture images at speeds of up to 9 frames per second, Nikon says the D3s has an improved buffer that enables continuous bursts that are approximately twice as fast as its predecessor.

Interested? You’ve got about a month to save up. The D3s will be available in late November.

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The capability to shoot high ISO on the Nikon D3s will surely let you shoot in dark areas. I've experienced it a lot where I missed shots simply because it's too dark.

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