Nikon D3S has a
12.0MP Full frame (36 x 23.9 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Expeed processor. On the other hand, Nikon D4 has a
16.0MP Full frame (36 x 23.9 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Expeed 3 processor.
Below you can see the D3S and D4 sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Nikon D3S and Nikon D4 Cameras
Nikon D3S and Nikon D4 have the same sensor sizes so they will provide same level of control over the depth of field when used with same focal length and aperture. On the other hand, since Nikon D3S has 34% larger pixel area compared to Nikon D4, it has potential to collect more light on pixel level hence have less noise in low light / High ISO images.
DxOMark Sensor Scores
DxOMark is a benchmark that scientifically assesses image quality of camera sensors. It 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. Nikon D3S and Nikon D4 sensors have been tested by DxO and the results show that D4 has a better overall score of 89, 7 points higher compared to D3S's score of 82.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Nikon D3S
82
23.5 bits
12.0 Evs
3253 ISO
Nikon D4
89
24.7 bits
13.1 Evs
2965 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
Nikon D4 ,
including hyperfocal distance.
