Nikon D3S has a
12.0MP Full frame (36 x 23.9 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Expeed processor. On the other hand, Canon 1Ds MIII has a
21.0MP Full frame (36 x 24 mm ) sized CMOS sensor .
Canon 1Ds MIII's sensor provides 9MP more than Nikon D3S's sensor, which gives a significant advantage in real life. You can print your images larger or crop more freely.
On the other hand, please keep in mind that Max sensor resolution is not the only determinant of resolving power. Factors such as the optical elements, low pass filter, pixel size and sensor technology also affects the final resolution of the captured image.
Below you can see the D3S and 1Ds MIII sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Nikon D3S and Canon 1Ds MIII Cameras
Nikon D3S and Canon 1Ds MIII have almost the same sensor size, so neither of them has any significant advantage over the other in terms of providing control over depth of field when used with the same focal length and aperture.
DxOMark Sensor Scores
Both Nikon D3S and Canon 1Ds MIII sensors have been tested by DxoMark. DxoMark scores camera sensors for color depth (DXO Portrait), dynamic range (DXO Landscape) and low-light sensitivity (DXO Sports), and also gives them an overall score. Of the two cameras that we are comparing, D3S has scored 82, 2 points higher than 1Ds MIII.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Nikon D3S
82
23.5 bits
12.0 Evs
3253 ISO
Canon 1Ds MIII
80
24.0 bits
12.0 Evs
1663 ISO
Sensor size sets the circle of confusion, so it drives how much depth of field each
of these bodies gives you at a given aperture. You can calculate it exactly for the
Nikon D3S
or the
Canon 1Ds MIII ,
including hyperfocal distance.
