Nikon D3S shows its high ISO prowess in two sample videos
By Donald Melanson 
posted October 14th 2009 12:54PM
posted October 14th 2009 12:54PM
Well, we just got the first round of Nikon D3S previews this morning, but it looks like we now also have the first few sample videos shot with the camera -- possibly a bit ahead of Nikon's preferred schedule. While it's a bit hard to draw some firm conclusions due to their YouTube-ness (not even a "High Quality" version, unfortunately), the videos do go some way towards backing up claims that the camera truly delivers the goods when it comes to high ISO shooting -- something that's particularly evident in the stunning wildlife video shot by Vincent Munier (pictured above). Head on past the break to check it out for yourself, along with a second, also impressive short shot down under.
[Via CrunchGear]
[Via CrunchGear]
Second still image for the youtube video. Somehow I feel that was done on purpose. :P
Isn't even taken in low light... just a pretty dark place with fast lenses and slow shutter speeds, even the rebel t1i does that. The difference between the stills and the video in terms of contrast does say something though, it seems their video tends to clip highlights much sooner than all the competitors, perhaps even their own D90
lol
@basroil: How do you know what kind of light it was taken in? Were you there?
I think we have all completely missed the point. Focus on the two guys trying to grab the ball.
You will see it.
And you people arguing about light.. I don't think it should be about light, but movement. They don't do much good at this low of quality. You probably need to view it at actual resolution to see how well the ISO functions.
Seriously though.. That guy in red/black looks like he's in pain.
did basroil even say anything that was wrong?
With a name "All over down under"...of course it was on purpose
Dr. Spaceman, yes. It is impossible to tell the lighting situation from that norway finland video. The article suggests that these videos are showcasing the high ISO features of the camera and is what we (from the engadget portal) are watching the video for (to see grain and digital noise, etc). Unfortunately we simply can't tell if it was low light with high ISO, or bright light with a small aperture, or low light at ISO 800 with a wide aperture.
If you check Nikon site, they have some still shots from the same location. Meta data says 11pm and another shot at 305am. Being an owner of a D3, i can say that Nikon's claimed ISO performance in the past has never been misleading.
What a beautiful picture.
The one of the bear. New wallpaper. Long Live Yellowstone
@tikiteko, I've got nothing against Yellowstone but the guy says he shot it in Norway and Finland ;)
I know hehe. I was just bringing it home. I would facy taking pics like that at Yellowstone. We don't have that exotic penguin/toucan bird.
For some people the bear is easy to see. Others don't see it at all. Some people say the bear is tame. Others say it's vicious and dangerous. Since no one can really be sure who is right, isn't it smart to have a high ISO Nikon D3S? If there is a bear...
@Chucles **chuckles** hehe good one
@tikiteko
The bird is a Puffin (:
@sam Let em brak that to you and it is not relevant to the converstaion of the awesomesss of the camara
"We don't have that exotic penguin/toucan bird" = We don't have that bird that looks like a cross between a penguin (black and white body) and a toucan (big bright color beak) in the United States of America.
Now, I cannot locate every single exotic animal of the world in their exact geographical locations. If you can, Cheers for You! Go, Sam, Go! Aventura amigos to resucceee my friendss....
The bird looks like a puffin to me. AFAIK they are native of Iceland and live only there, but maybe they have them in Norway?
Amazing creatures these puffins, really funny to see them fly.
They are tasty smoked too.
@Gav
You get them all over actually - Northern Europe, Northern Atlantic isles and the North Pacific rim too.
You can see puffins all over the north Atlantic. Try here for starters: http://www.machiassealisland.com/
Very Impressed video and stills. It looks like I'm getting a new toy :)
lovely!
Those birds on the first video were actually very polite. I was expecting the crap-drop at any moment. They taunt him 3 times !
Maybe it's just the YouTube, but the framerate looks weird on the sports shots. That seems why they covered them with pictures instead.
That being said, the bear shots by the lake are incredible.
It's no 5D Mark II, and it costs twice as much and has less features.
@TechNewb,
Name off all the features point for point, (not just the ones important to you) and you actually discover the D3s has more features.
Besides, the D3s isn't intended to compete with the 5DmkII. The Canon equivalent of the D3s is the 1DmkIII, which is due for an update very soon. You really are a tech Tech Noob aren't you?
You're right; the D3s has a vertical grip, huge battery, three times more frames per second, and better noise characteristics at the higher ISOs. You can pay less for the Canon body if you don't require those features.
Your choice will already be made for you, I doubt this will be the first SLR for its purchasers. The Canon vs Nikon decision is made by the menagerie of lenses that a photographer already owns. No Canon photog with a bag full of Ls will buy a Nikon body, and the same goes in reverse.
That's not true, here is a comparison. Do you really think it's worth spending 2.5k for LESS features? I own Nikon DSLRs, but I know a deal when I see one. And THIS IS NOT A DEAL. 5D Mark II would be the better choice for any non-professional photographer, and many pro photographer depending on what type of shooting they do. Get a life.
Direct Comparison here proving my point:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=canon_eos5dmkii%2Cnikon_d3s&show=all
well. you miss the point of what a pro camera is for then.
A pro needs a camera that when it falls to the floor from 1 meter, what ends up damaged is the floor and not the camera.
A camera that can survive a sudden storm in the middle of nowhere....
etc.
That said, you are on crack if you think the 5DmkII has more features than a D3.
Frame rate?
Low ISO performance?
Buffer?
AF points?
AF performance?
I guess canon missed the mark with the 1DmkIII then, cause it's obviously inferior to the 5D.
TechNewb, I have reviewed that comparison and it doesn't prove your point, it contradicts it.
Analysis:
D3s has higher ISO options
D3s has much higher frame rates.
D3s has more image ratios
D3s has a much greater AF system.
D3s has more Flash Modes
D3s has a more advanced Metering system
D3s has a crop mode, thus enabling more options for both full frame and crop lenses
D3s has 24p in video, (ask a majority of 5DmkII indie filmmakers how they feel about not having 24p, they'll want to fight you)
D3s can independently operate timelapse mode without the need for additional systems.
D3s viewfinder is 100% coverage.
D3s has better sealing (which includes sealing around the battery compartment, 5DmkII does not)
D3s has wireless option. 5DmkII does not
Oh, you were just looking at resolution right.
Yeah, the 5DmkII has higher resolution for stills and video.
That's about where the advantages over the D3s stops though.
Do all of those advantages justify its cost? Depends on who you ask. For me, not really.
But that doesn't matter. Overall, operationally speaking the D3s does have more features.
BTW, I own a 5DmkII, so Nikon fanboyism isn't influencing my perspective.
I'm just acknowledging the facts, something that I know is difficult for a "newb/noob" to do.
the newb got owned.
@ Porkchop Flavored Cupcake:
You're right. This is better in every way to the 5DII but TechNewb doesnt know better. This does not compete against 5DII. This will compete against the soon to be released Canon 1D Mark IV. I'm curious to see how it stacks up.
@BeefCakes
Half of those features are not features, because you could have done it with previous cameras. Please, variable aspect ratios? Why not just re-frame and crop like people have been doing since the invent of photography, that's hardly a features. And it was my understanding that you could always use DX lenses with FX cameras if you know what your doing, you just have to be aware of the mirror box and crop in post, big deal.
The features I mention that are more, are around 2,500 more, and they all have Washingtons face on them.
Let's keep things in perspective here: THIS is a CONSUMER blog, NOT a professional photography blog. The features you mention won't matter to a consumer, or even a prosumer for that fact! And they are not worth more than a thousand dollars! The 7D basically does everything the D3 does, and it's only 1.7k.
I'm a filmmaker, and I'd shoot with the 5D over the D3s anyday for many reasons. 30p can be brought to 24p in post if you know what your doing, but if you don't have full manual control over the shutter it's quite useless. Nikon does not care about film makers at all, the fact that it's 24p is just a happy accident.
I smell a troll.
I was kind of laughing at tech dude newbie or whatever. Its not that serious. Canon makes a great camera, i was going to buy a 5dmkII because it was video in a better camera body than the Nikon D90. I could shoot everything i wanted with the same camera.
But, you know what. I took video i shot from both cameras and set them side by side.....could not tell a difference. One file was larger and the frame rate was diff. But, overall quality.....they are visually the same. Now you could geek out and shoot each camera in ways to make there shortcomings appear. But, if your skilled....you would never run into alot of those situations.
Simply - The Nikon D3 was and is the best stills camera on the market. It did everything very well and very fast, making it a very versatile camera system. Adding video to this same camera does not lessen its appeal or status.
I noticed that most of the shots were taken so that you don't see any rolling shutter artifacts. How does it look in motion is what I want to know.
Wow, that first video by Vincent Munier "Summer Variations" was beautiful.
The Austrailia one was fine, but not as good as the first video IMO.
I have to admire the overall capability of the D3s, particularly its low light shooting.
It's certainly not intended to compete with the cheaper, higher MP Canon 5DmkII, but it still has more features all around than the 5DmkII. With that said, I still think the D3s is overpriced. With how much Nikon makes on lenses, they should ease up on the premium prices of their cameras, seriously. Now we wait to see what Canon has in store with the succesor to the 1DmkIII, which is more of a direct competitor to the D3s.
I love this hi-def 1080p video! Too bad Canon is still stuck with 720p, losers.
Huh?
I hope that was sarcasm.
Fact fail.
That looks AWESOME. Almost awesome enough to make me move from Canon - but that ain't going to happen unless they get a lens exchange program :) Note to Nikon... get a lens exchange program.
those sample videos mean nothing unless they are in HD.. you aren't showing what you got to offer bro!!
Of course it's a nice camera, unfortunate we can't see real HD version of these videos though! I own a Canon 5D Mark II, but I have nothing to do with the stupid fanboy war that exists between camera owners (especially Nikon vs. Canon), I love my camera and it does exactly what I need it to (lots of studio work, on location strobist stuff and portraits and weddings, not to mention some landscapes), the right tool for the right job!
Of course the new Nikon has great features, better AF and ISOs, with other features, but this is why it costs so much money. I'm just salivating waiting for what Canon has up its sleeve with the Mark IV! It's a great time to be at a camera owning level of prosumer or professional! Amazing technology.
Nice shoots, some taken home in Norway as well ;D
would loved to have that camera...
I hope this is right but er.. Skjønn land!
Powerful pictures! Very nice.
While it's another feather in Nikon's hat, what a nice job Vincent Munier did with his chosen tool chest. Simply Beautiful!
Lol, this joker still around with the same spiel?? Hahhaha!!!
@ikurt
Didn't you post this on the Nikon D300s post too? and the D5000?
Get a life.