Memory Card Options for the Nikon D3 Camera

The D3 has been a long anticipated release from Nikon, which has opened up competition in the high end digital photography market, offering Nikon`s most sensitive digital camera ever. One of the most surprising things about the D3 is that it has kept the 12 million pixel count of the cameras predecessor, the D2XS, even though there are much cheaper cameras with a higher pixel count available. However, this decision has been beneficial in other areas.

 

The main feature of is the ISO sensitivity settings. By keeping to the 12 megapixels it has allowed a considerably larger area for individual pixels and by optimising this area to allow maximum light to the sensor, Nikon have accomplished previously impossible signal to noise ratios. Settings range from Lo 1.0 (which is essentially ISO 100) Hi 2.0 (approximately ISO 25500 – that`s not a mistake!). Auto ISO allows you to set a maximum ISO, a base ISO, and a minimum shutter speed. It will default to your base ISO, and if the shutte r speed is at the minimum and the camera still needs more light, it will then raise the ISO.

 

If it reaches the maximum ISO and still does not have enough light, only then will it begin to lower the shutter speed below the set minimum.

 

Among the useful features of the D3 is the ability to add a sound tag to any of the pictures. Simply take the photograph as normal, then, when viewing back the image, press the "mic" button and hold to record whatever you need to. The microphone is to the right at your mouth as you shoot, so if you are using Image Review, you can whisper notes without needing to take your eye off the finder.

 

It can pick up over a reasonable range, meaning if an image is playing, you can record what`s going on around you while you hold the D3 down at your waist with one hand, making it rather less obvious.

The D3 also features two memory card slots, and there are a number of options on how to write to the cards. It offers overflow to card number two once number one becomes full, JPEG format on one card and NEF (RAW) format on the other, or even writing to both cards so that one serves as a backup.

 

The D3 is the first Nikon to be able to make use of high speed Compact Flash memory cards such as Lexar`s UDMA 300X or SanDisk Extreme 4, which can achieve speeds of up to 40MB per second. The camera is type I and type II compatible, meaning you don`t have to worry about compatibility with the existing size you currently use.

 

If you prefer Microdrives over Flash, the D3 is fully compatible with these, and you can mix and match the two, which is great if you`re waiting for high capacity flash to come down further in price.