Buyer's Guide 2025: Digital SLRs

Nikon D3. Nikon’s first full-frame D-SLR, the new top-of-the-line D3 features a 12.1-megapixel FX-format 36x23.9mm CMOS image sensor, and it can shoot those 12.1-megapixel full-frame images at 9 fps. If you mount a DX Nikkor lens, the D3 automatically switches to DX format (24x16mm) and can shoot 5.1-megapixel images at 11 per second. Other features include normal ISOs from 200-6400 expandable to an incredible 25,600, two Live-View modes (Handheld and Tripod), superquick 0.12-second startup and 37 ms shutter-release lag, a three-inch LCD with 920,000 dots (most others are in the 230,000 range), two CF card slots, a 300,000-cycle shutter, a new Picture Control System that makes it easy to select and apply image adjustments, 12- or 14-bit NEF (RAW) output, a new EXPEED image-processing system that enhances AF, AE and AWB detection and lots more. Focal-length factor is 1x (full frame). Estimated Street Price: $4,999.