Nikon D3x Performance, Timings, and Image Quality

PERFORMANCE
Given the number of pixels this camera is pushing, its 5 frames per second continuous shooting speed is pretty good. If you choose DX crop mode (which drops the resolution to about 10 megapixels), the camera can achieve about 7 frames per second. Go to 14 bit RAW, however, and continuous shooting speed slows to a snail's pace.

Shutter Lag (press-to-capture, pre-focused)

Continuous Shooting

Note: Continuous shooting framerates are based on the camera's fastest full-resolution JPEG continuous shooting mode, using the fastest media type available (300x CF, SDHC, etc.), as tested in our studio. "Frames" notes the number of captures recorded per burst before the camera stops/slows to clear the buffer.

*The Nikon D3x produced a 5.0 fps rate at full-frame FX mode. In DX mode, we counted 48 frames at 7.3 fps.

Overall, however, the camera is highly responsive. Like the D3, the D3x utilizes Nikon's excellent 51 point AF system and delivers topnotch autofocus performance. As expected, Live View - as mentioned above - has its own AF shortcomings.

Lens Performance
I tested the D3x with Nikon's 24-70mm and 70-200mm lenses, with great results from both. The camera uses a Nikon F bayonet mount and is compatible with pretty much all lenses using that mount, with varying degrees of usability. Type G or D AF lenses support all functions and DX AF NIKKOR lenses can be used but will, of course, crop the image size. Other lenses may not support Color Matrix Metering II, autofocus, among other functions.

Image Quality
In a word, the D3x's image quality is stunning. Images are sharp and detail capture, as one would hope (and expect) is amazing. Zoom into a tree trunk and you can almost see the layers of wood exposed where people carved their initials.

Colors are accurate and natural looking on default settings but there are so many parameter adjustments that it's easy to compensate for any color shift. As always, Nikon's matrix metering system produces well-exposed images and with the help of Active D-Lighting, the D3x exhibits a broad dynamic range. The only exception here might be the occasional clipped highlights. Even then, however, the camera can handle most any conditions it encounters.

Left to its own accord, the D3x doesn't handle tungsten lighting very well, producing very warm images. But with so many custom white balance options, this really isn't a problem.

Auto white balance, 3200k incandescent light

One major difference between the D3 and the D3x is light sensitivity. Nikon claims that the D3x is designed for use under conditions where the photographer controls the lighting and because of this, native ISO is limited to 100-1600 (versus the D3's 200 to 6400). Both have expanded ISOs, however, and the D3x can be set to a low of ISO 50 and two high settings of 3200 and 6400.

ISO 100	ISO 100, 100% crop
ISO 200	ISO 200, 100% crop
ISO 320	ISO 320, 100% crop
ISO 400	ISO 400, 100% crop
ISO 500	ISO 500, 100% crop
ISO 640	ISO 640, 100% crop
ISO 800	ISO 800, 100% crop
ISO 1000	ISO 1000, 100% crop
ISO 1250	ISO 1250, 100% crop
ISO 1600	ISO 1600, 100% crop

While the D3 offers better results at higher ISOs, given the number of pixels crammed into its 24 megapixel CMOS sensor, the D3x's noise performance is pretty impressive. (Check out our first shots from the Nikon D3s for the ultimate in high noise performance.)

Additional Sample Images