Nikon Z7 has a
46.0MP Full frame (35.9 x 23.9 mm ) sized BSI-CMOS sensor and features Expeed 6 processor. On the other hand, Nikon D3X has a
25.0MP Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Expeed processor.
Nikon Z7's sensor provides 21MP more than Nikon D3X'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.
Another difference between these two cameras is that Nikon Z7's sensor lacks anti-alias (Low-Pass) filter. Removing anti-alias filter increases the sharpness and level of detail but at the same time, it increases the chance of moiré occurring in certain scenes.
Below you can see the Z7 and D3X sensor size comparison.
Nikon Z7 and Nikon D3X 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 Z7 and Nikon D3X 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, Z7 has scored 99, 11 points higher than D3X.
Model |
Overall |
Color Depth |
Dynamic Range |
Low-light ISO |
Nikon Z7 |
99 |
26.3 bits |
14.6 Evs |
2668 ISO |
Nikon D3X |
88 |
24.7 bits |
13.7 Evs |
1992 ISO |