Nikon D4 has a
16.0MP Full frame (36 x 23.9 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Expeed 3 processor. On the other hand, Nikon D3S has a
12.0MP Full frame (36 x 23.9 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Expeed processor.
Below you can see the D4 and D3S sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Nikon D4 and Nikon D3S Cameras
Nikon D4 and Nikon D3S 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 (71.40µm 2 vs 53.24µm 2 ) compared to Nikon D4, it has larger pixel area to collect light hence potential to have less noise in low light / High ISO images.
DxOMark Sensor Scores
Both Nikon D4 and Nikon D3S 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, D4 has scored 89, 7 points higher than D3S.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Nikon D4
89
24.7 bits
13.1 Evs
2965 ISO
Nikon D3S
82
23.5 bits
12.0 Evs
3253 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 D4
or the
Nikon D3S ,
including hyperfocal distance.
