Nikon D3 Digital Camera Reviewed
Every one waited for Nikon to move up to the next level of digital sensor size, the "full-sized" FX or 35mm-like solution. Years went by and seemingly nothing happened. We admired Nikon's clever ergonomic solutions and at least some of us ogled the high-ISO performance of the competition with a little envy. Then, Nikon struck back with a camera advertised to "defy the limitations" no less.
The D3 is not only a 35mm-frame camera, it is so much more and with high-ISO performance unheard and undreamt of as well. With a blazing firing rate up to 9 fps(FX)/11 fps(DX), this is a sports and action shooter's dream camera come true. But what can it achieve for other fields of photography? In this review, I shall try to elaborate these aspects of this new Nikon DSLR. Consider this more akin to a personal travelogue written as I made myself familiar with the D3 rather than a compilation of features.
The D3 is the first FX format digital camera from Nikon, and as such being eagerly awaited by diehard Nikon users. Instead of the misnomer "full frame" (what camera hasn't got that?), Nikon introduced the FX format, specified to be 23.9 x 36 mm, within a hair's width of the 24 x 36 mm format we associate to 35 mm film-based cameras of days just gone. They even went one better by allowing the camera not only to shoot FX format, but also the existing DX or a new 5:4 aspect ratio format. The DX format can be engaged automatically when a DX lens is mounted if the camera has this option set, or the desired image area (FX, 5:4, DX) can be selected later under actual shooting.
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