Award for Best Professional Camera 2010-2011

The European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA) crowned the Nikon D3S digital SLR camera with the 2010-2011 EISA European Professional Camera award. This marks the third year in a row that Nikon has been recognized; the D3S follows in the footsteps of Nikon’s D3 and the D3X digital SLR cameras. EISA was impressed with the low-light capabilities of the D3S and its “unsurpassed” low noise levels and richness of detail. Together with Nikon’s EXPEED image processing, excellent battery life and quality build, EISA deemed the D3S the “perfect D-SLR for professional sports, action and low-light photography.”

2010 TIPA Best Digital SLR Professional Award

The Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) presented the Nikon D3S digital SLR camera with the 2010 TIPA Best Digital SLR Professional Award. TIPA applauded the milestone the D3S made in the history of photography: being the first digital SLR camera to feature the record “push” sensitivity of equivalent 102,400 ISO. TIPA was also impressed with the D3S’ “superbly constructed” body, “excellent” viewfinder and “top-level” autofocus system, deeming it “ideal for digital SLR for the pros.”

2010 Popular Photography POP Award

The Nikon D3S D-SLR received a 2010 POP Award from Popular Photography magazine. The first camera to break through the ISO 100,000 barrier—able to go up to 102,400 ISO—the camera was cited for its low-light autofocus capabilities, and high 9 frames-per-second burst rate. The award highlights Photography's Outstanding Products, as chosen by the magazine.

Popular Science Best of What's New 2010

The Nikon D3S has been awarded with Popular Science Best of What's New 2010 honors for its low light sensitivity and high 102,400 ISO that lets photographers capture images in dim conditions with little noise, thanks to the camera's 12.1 megapixel full-frame sensor and processing power. Each year, for more than two decades, Popular Science magazine has presented these awards to the top innovations that indicate where future technologies are headed.

June 2010, Shooting around with the Nikon D3S: field review

by Darren Murph

Engadget's Darren Murph reviewed the Nikon D3S and praised the ISO range, adding that it will allow previously impossible shots to be captured.  Murph also highlighted the shutter speeds and video capability of the D3S, stating that the D3S makes use of its "full talents." Murph concluded that the D3S will not only shake up the industry, but will also "radically change the consumer camera."

April 2010, Nikon D3S Overview

by Andrew Alexander, Shawn Barnett, Mike Tomkins, and Zig Weidelich

Imaging-Resource editors Andrew Alexander, Shawn Barnett, Mike Tomkins, and Zig Weidelich reviewed the Nikon D3S and agreed that it improves many of the features from its predecessor, the D3, and adds new features, which make the D3S "more intuitive."  With the increased sensitivity of the D3S and expanded ISO settings reaching 102,400, the editors touted that the "possibilities just multiplied."  The editors also highlighted the low-light and HD video capabilities and crowned the Nikon D3S a "Dave's Pick."

February 2010, Nikon D3S In-Depth Review

by Barnaby Britton

Barnaby Britton of DP Review recounted the "formidable challenge" Nikon made to its competitors with the launch of the D3 in 2007 and praised the "significant improvements" the D3S made from its predecessor, most notably, the bar-setting ISO abilities.  Britton added that other changes, including the new 720p HD video capabilities and Quiet Shutter Release modes, make the D3S "more competitive."  Britton concluded that the Nikon D3S is an "absolutely excellent camera."

January 2010, Camera Test: Nikon D3S

by Phil Ryan

Phil Ryan of Popular Photography reviewed the Nikon D3S and crowned it a "groundbreaking achievement" due to its high ISO capabilities.  After putting the D3S through a series of tests in the Pop Photo Lab, Ryan was impressed with the D3S' outstanding color reproduction and its impressive autofocus and AF tracking. Ryan concluded that the D3S is "one of the most powerful imaging tools available."

January 2010, Nikon D3S and AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm

by Dan Havlik

PDN's Dan Havlik and portrait photographer Jordan Matter reviewed the Nikon D3S alongside the AF-S Nikkor 70-200 mm f/2.8 ED VR II lens. Havlik concluded that the Nikon D3S paired with the 70-200mm VR II lens "packs a powerful one-two punch."  He later highlighted the effectiveness of the D3S for a variety of uses and praised the "stellar" ISO range and HD movie capability.  When referring to the low light/high ISO performance of the D3S, both Havlik and Matter agreed that it was the best they had seen from any camera on the market.

Photo.net Editor's Choice Award

The Nikon D3S D-SLR has received an Editor’s Choice award in the High End SLRs category from the photo.net website, which states that products receiving the Editor’s Choice nod are “highly recommended by Photo.net’s editors, admins, writers, moderators and gear testers.” Notable features of the D3S include its improved sensor, 720p HD video capability and silent shutter mode.

May 2011