Decision tools · Compare
D3S vs D6
Quick take: The D6 has the highest resolution at 21MP; the D3S is the most affordable.
16 specs side by side·14 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
Nikon
D6 2020
Best for Professional Sports, Press & Wildlife Photography
£6799
new today at Wex Photo Video
Price buttons are affiliate links — GearFrame may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects a score. Learn more
Verdictwhich should you buy?
D6 — Professional Sports, Press & Wildlife Photography: Nikon's final and finest DSLR — the D6 brought 105 all-cross-type AF points, 14fps, and built-in LAN to the F mount. The last word in optical viewfinder photography.
Who should buy what
D6 (2020)
is the right camera for you if…
- Sports, wildlife, and press photographers who prefer an optical viewfinder
- Professional Nikon shooters with a substantial F-mount lens collection
- Photojournalists who need built-in LAN for wire transmission
- Nikon system professionals seeking a used flagship at under-new-price value
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | D3SNikon · 2009 | D6Nikon · 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £268Best | £6,799 |
| Sensor | 12.1MP full-frame CMOS | 20.8MP full-frame BSI CMOS |
| Resolution | 12.1MP | 20.8MPBest |
| Video | 720p/24 | 4K UHD 30fps |
| Autofocus | 51-point phase-detect (15 cross-type) via viewfinder; contrast AF in live view (tripod mode) | Multi-CAM 3500FX III — 105 AF points, all cross-type |
| Stabilisation | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | — |
| Burst Rate | 9fps | 14fps mechanicalBest |
| Battery Life | ~4200 shots (CIPA)Best | ~3580 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 1420g (with battery)Best | 1450g (body only) |
| Dimensions | 159.5 × 157 × 87.5mm | 160 × 163.5 × 92mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.7x | OVF 0.72× magnification, 100% coverage |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed LCD, 920k dots | 3.2" fixed touchscreen, 2.36M dots |
| Mount | Nikon F mount | Nikon F mount |
| Memory Cards | Dual CompactFlash slots | Dual CFexpress Type B / XQD slots |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0, mini HDMI, 3.5mm mic jack, 10-pin remote | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, Ethernet (built-in), USB 3.1 |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
D3S
D6
Portrait
5.5/10
6.4/10
Street
3.7/10
4.1/10
Travel
3.8/10
4.1/10
Wedding & Events
6.5/10
7.3/10
Documentary
4.4/10
6.0/10
Sports & Action
6.2/10
7.0/10
Landscape
4.6/10
5.5/10
Wildlife
6.0/10
6.7/10
Casual
2.0/10
3.0/10
Food
3.5/10
4.6/10
Macro
3.1/10
4.6/10
Architecture
4.1/10
5.1/10
Astrophotography
6.6/10
6.5/10
Filmmaking
—
5.7/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
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