Nikon D3s vs Nikon D800

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D3s and Nikon D800. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon D3s were released 2009 and Nikon D800 was released 2012. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D3s 2009
Nikon D800 2012

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Nikon FX") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Since both cameras have a Full frame sensor there will be no crop factor.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Nikon D3s 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon D800 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Nikon D3s has a 12,1 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D800 has 36,3 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D3s 12,1 MP
12052992 pixels
4256 x 2832
Nikon D800 36,3 MP
36152320 pixels
7360 x 4912

Nikon D800 has a 200 % larger resolution than Nikon D3s. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Nikon D3s has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D800. Nikon D3s has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 102400 while Nikon D800 has 100 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D3s 200-102400
Nikon D800 100-25600

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3s
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D800

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D3s can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds and Nikon D800 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D3s 11
Nikon D800 6

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Nikon D3s and Nikon D800 can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Nikon D3s weighs 1240 gr (equal to 2.73 lb) which is 38% heavier than Nikon D800 and its 900 gr (or 1.98 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D3s 1240 gr
2.73 lb
Nikon D800 900 gr
1.98 lb

Nikon D3s vs Nikon D800 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D3s and Nikon D800, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Nikon D3s
Nikon D800
Name Nikon D3s Nikon D800
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D3s
Nikon D800
Release Year 2009 2012
Release Date 2009-10-14 2012-02-07
MSRP 5199 USD 2999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D3s
Nikon D800
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D3s
Nikon D800
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4256 x 2832 pixels 7360 x 4912 pixels
Megapixels 12,1 MP 36,3 MP
Image Processor EXPEED EXPEED 3
Image
Nikon D3s
Nikon D800
ISO Range 200 - 102400 100 - 25600
White Balance Presets 12 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW + TIFF RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D3s
Nikon D800
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 51 51
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier FX (Full frame)
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
FX (Full frame)
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Nikon D3s
Nikon D800
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 3,2”
Screen dots 921000 921000
Touch screen No No
Screen type Low-temperature polysilicon TFT color LCD TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.7× 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Nikon D3s
Nikon D800
Frames per second 11 fps 6 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Average
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D3s
Nikon D800
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format Motion JPEG
MPEG4
H.264
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Nikon D3s
Nikon D800
Memory Card Compact Flash
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Nikon D3s
Nikon D800
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless Yes
Optional
Yes
Optional with Nikon Wireless Transmitter for D800 (WT-4A)
Remote Control Yes Yes (Optional, wired or wireless)
GPS Yes
Optional with GP-1
Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D3s
Nikon D800
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion EN-EL4a rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 4200 shots 900 shots
Width 160 mm 146 mm
Height 157 mm 123 mm
Depth 88 mm 82 mm
Weight 1240 gram 900 gram