Nikon D3 Brochure & Specs Download Page 11

Scene Recognition System

Prepare yourself, because photography as 
you  know  it  is  about  to  be  transformed. 
Introducing Nikon's new Scene Recognition 
System. Nikon engineers redesigned the most 
trusted automatic exposure system in the 
photo industry – the 1,005-pixel RGB sensor 
component – for an unprecedented level 
of detailed scene information and analysis. 
The result: algorithms that recognize your 
subject and shooting situation with amazing 
accuracy. In other words, the D3 knows and 
understands what you are about to shoot. 
Milliseconds prior to shutter burst, each 
scene  is  analyzed  while  autofocus,  auto 
exposure, i-TTL control and white balance are 
optimized – all before the image is captured. 
Consider the Scene Recognition System as 
artificial intelligence, working in partnership 
with you for more winning shots.

For  the  D3,  Nikon  engineers  reassessed 
everything, including autofocus operation. 
The new Scene Recognition System takes 
color information from the 1,005-pixel RGB 
sensor and utilizes it to achieve superb Focus 
Tracking. Conventional Focus Tracking systems 
were only effective with subjects approaching 
or moving away, but the D3's new system 
works for flat lateral movement as well. 
Simply select any of Dynamic-area AF mode 

options including 3D-Tracking, and your main 
subject is followed in sharp focus. The D3 
accomplishes this by using color information 
detected from a selected foucs point and 
applying it to Focus Tracking. The focus point 
will then automatically follow your subject's 
path as long as the shutter button is pressed 
halfway down. The AF and Scene Recognition 
systems  are  in  constant  communication 
with each other, thereby improving tracking 
performance  even  for  erratically  moving 
subjects and expanding your compositional 
freedom. For example, now you can maintain 
sharp  focus  on  a  fast-moving  subject 
even as you fire off shots while changing 
compositions.

The D3 automatically detects people and skin 
tones using color information from the Scene 
Recognition System. This way it can quickly 
focus on the most important element – the 
human face – in Auto-area AF mode. Even 
if similar colors exist both in the foreground 
(human face) and background (building), the 
Scene Recognition System uses distance 
information from a D- or G-type AF NIKKOR 
lens to determine where the main subject 
is. Even under the most demanding lighting 
conditions and compositional challenges, 
the D3 detects the subject and optimizes just 
before the actual shutter release.

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SCENE RECOGNITION SYSTEM:

Focus Tracking for lateral movement 

Auto-area AF for subject 

identification  

Scene Recognition System

Scene Recognition System for 
improved Focus Tracking

Scene Recognition System: 
Unleashing the powers of Nikon's 
1,005-pixel RGB sensor

Scene Recognition System for subject 
identification

Experience newfound accuracy

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 Nikon's 1,005-pixel RGB sensor has evolved to provide a superior level of comprehensive intelligence thanks to Nikon's new Scene 

Recognition System

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 Clear, accurate and unprecedented color information that dramatically improves overall performance and accuracy of the AF system, 3D 

Color Matrix Metering II, i-TTL, and auto white balance

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 A higher level of accuracy in automatic operations for a wide range of lighting conditions and subject matter

• Lens: AF-S VR Nikkor 200mm f/2G IF-ED • Image quality: 14-bit RAW (NEF) • Exposure: [M] mode, 1/1,600 second, f/4 • White balance: Direct sunlight • Sensitivity: ISO 6400 • Picture Control: Standard

©Dave Black

©Joe McNally

©Dave Black

1005-pixel 

RGB sensor

Auto exposure 

and 

i-TTL flash control

Highlight analysis

Autofocus

Subject tracking

Subject identification

Auto white balance

Characteristics extraction

Pattern recognition

3D-Tracking tracks the subject by selecting a new focus point 

as required.  

In Single-servo AF, active focus points are highlighted for 

about one second.  

Summary of Contents for D3

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Page 5: ...that s come before choose from a selection of capture formats such as the new FX format for shooting at 9 fps or the ultra versatile DX format at up to 11 fps 5 1 megapixels with consistent frame advance speed at every aperture setting The new 51 point AF system incorporates 15 cross type sensors that work with every AF NIKKOR lens of f 5 6 and faster And both the AF system and imaging engine reco...

Page 6: ...cameras Nikon has helped refine the art of photography while pursuing new and powerful forms of photographic expression The D3 fulfils both of these missions Nikon s newest flagship symbolizes the evolution of photographic technology defying preconceived limitations while responding to the ever changing demands of professional photographers In short the D3 represents new territory explore it for y...

Page 7: ...ise Simply put the D3 redefines how good high ISO digital images can look And to further expand your potential the D3 can be extended on demand from ISO 100 to ISO 25600 Consider the new possibilities Unlike other image processing systems the D3 s doesn t sacrifice spectacular saturation for advanced noise reduction Low noise performance is an integral part of the D3 s core engineering meaning tha...

Page 8: ...achieve the sharpest images throughout the frame the D3 uses an automatic lateral chromatic aberration reduction function This means new benchmarks in minimized aberration and maximized accuracy seen in the images below It s an advantage you ll gain no matter what NIKKOR lenses you use The D3 s dynamic range has broadened to such an extent that you can expect finer tonal gradation in highlight are...

Page 9: ...2 seconds and shutter release time lag is an industry leading 37 milliseconds Nikon understands that for professional digital photography exceptional speed means little unless it is supported throughout the entire process That is why Nikon has taken the comprehensive approach of optimizing the speed of processing buffer memory memory access memory card recording and Hi Speed USB interface With the...

Page 10: ...ng information accurately tracking the subject by selecting a new focus point to significantly improve your fix on moving subjects The Auto area AF specializes in focusing on people automatically detecting and prioritizing skin tones with all 51 points Professional photographers have demanded more refined AF accuracy Therefore the D3 lets you apply the same amount of AF compensation regardless of ...

Page 11: ... fast moving subject even as you fire off shots while changing compositions The D3 automatically detects people and skin tones using color information from the Scene Recognition System This way it can quickly focus on the most important element the human face in Auto area AF mode Even if similar colors exist both in the foreground human face and background building the Scene Recognition System use...

Page 12: ...haracteristics extraction see below of the scene cross referencing it with 5 000 actual shot data examples among the 20 000 images stored in the camera So no matter what the light source even notoriously difficult mercury vapor light the D3 can automatically detect the appropriate white balance accurately SceneRecognitionSystem AE AWB 23 Auto White Balance used for fluorescent light Auto White Bal...

Page 13: ... Lens AF S NIKKOR 24 70mm f 2 8G ED Image quality 14 bit RAW NEF Exposure M mode 1 50 second f 8 White balance Cloudy Sensitivity ISO 200 Picture Control Standard Joe McNally ...

Page 14: ...ing time allowing more time for AF operation this is one reason the D3 can offer autofocus and Focus Tracking even for high speed continuous shooting 27 26 The harmony of dual perspectives the Italian sense of style with Nikon designers dedication to details The D3 s phenomenal technology demands an equally phenomenal exterior design Nikon believes beauty and performance go hand in hand That s why...

Page 15: ... because the D3 s power consumption and power manage ment systems have been engineered for greater operating efficiency you can expect even longer battery life a welcome bonus for professionals Improved ergonomics Features mean nothing if they re difficult to access That s why all D3 buttons and dials have ideal sizes and clear functions The layout shares the same logical consistency as Nikon s pr...

Page 16: ...Pro 2 Handheld Mode In situations where you are unable to look through the viewfinder Handheld Mode can be a great help First select your focus point from the 51 points available then use the wide 170 degree viewing angle to compose easily even if you re holding your D3 over the heads in a crowd 31 Lens AF Micro Nikkor 60mm f 2 8D Image quality 12 bit RAW NEF Exposure M mode 1 160 second f 25 Whit...

Page 17: ...s whether an actual image has been altered Any change in XMP and IPTC information can also be clarified Software update of version 1 0 1 is required Thumbnail display ViewNX Image viewer ViewNX Picture Control Custom tailored tone and color Picture Control is an intuitive easy to use and completely new system for defining tones of your image files This set of tools helps you define the look and fe...

Page 18: ... sensor for a more refined flash metering evaluation With this system overexposure is reduced to a degree never before achieved even with small subjects which tend to be overexposed Metering accuracy for a scene containing highly reflective objects has also been improved These improvements are made possible with the highlight analysis function of the Scene Recognition System which correctly calcu ...

Page 19: ...ith shifting or tilting 6 Manual exposure mode only 7 Can be used with AF S and AF I lenses only 8 With maximum effective aperture of f 5 6 or faster when TC 20E II TC 20E is used with AF S VR 70 200mm f 2 8G AF S VR 300mm f 2 8G AF S 300mm f 2 8D II AF S VR 400mm f 2 8G or AF S 400mm f 2 8D II or TC 14E II TC 14E is used with AF S VR 200 400mm f 4G three top and three bottom points among 15 focus...

Page 20: ... pin remote terminal cover Lens release button Focus mode selector Eyelet for camera strap Release mode dial lock release Bracketing button Accessory shoe for optional flash unit Metering selector Metering selector lock button Diopter adjustment knob Top control panel Exposure mode Format button Power switch Shutter release button Exposure compensation button Eyelet for camera strap Flash mode but...

Page 21: ...prox 0 3 0 5 0 7 or 1 ISO 100 equivalent EV below ISO 200 or to approx 0 3 0 5 0 7 1 ISO 12800 equivalent or 2 ISO 25600 equivalent EV over ISO 6400 Active D Lighting Can be selected from High Normal or Low Focus Autofocus TTL phase detection AF 51 focus points 15 cross sensors by Nikon Multi CAM 3500FX autofocus module Detection 1 to 19 EV ISO 100 at 20 C 68 F AF fine adjustment possible Lens Ser...

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