Nikon D3 vs Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D3 and Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon D3 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3 is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon D3 were released 2007 and Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3 was released 2009. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D3 2007
Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3 2009

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D3 has a "Nikon FX"-sensor while Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3 has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Nikon D3 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Nikon D3 has a 12,1 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3 has 15,1 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D3 12,1 MP
12052992 pixels
4256 x 2832
Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3 15,1 MP
15054336 pixels
4752 x 3168

Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3 has a 25 % larger resolution than Nikon D3. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Nikon D3 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3. Nikon D3 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 25600 while Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3 has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D3 200-25600
Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3 100-12800

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D3 can shoot up to 9 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3 can shoot up to 3,4 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D3 9
Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3 3,4

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

It is only one of these two cameras that support recording movies and movie clips and that is Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3. Sadly, the Nikon D3 does not support this.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Nikon D3 weighs 1300 gr (equal to 2.87 lb) which is 150% heavier than Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3 and its 520 gr (or 1.15 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D3 1300 gr
2.87 lb
Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3 520 gr
1.15 lb

Nikon D3 vs Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D3 and Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Nikon D3
Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3
Name Nikon D3 Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D3
Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3
Release Year 2007 2009
Release Date 2007-08-23 2009-03-25
MSRP 4999 USD 699 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D3
Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D3
Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4256 x 2832 pixels 4752 x 3168 pixels
Megapixels 12,1 MP 15,1 MP
Image Processor EXPEED DIGIC 4
Image
Nikon D3
Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3
ISO Range 200 - 25600 100 - 12800
White Balance Presets 12 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D3
Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 51 9
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier FX (Full frame)
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
APS-C Sensor
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Nikon D3
Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 922000 920000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.7× 0.87× (0.54× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Nikon D3
Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3
Frames per second 9 fps 3,4 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 13 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D3
Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3
Video recording No Yes
Video format N/A H.264
Video resolution N/A 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone No Yes
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Nikon D3
Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D3
Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes Yes (E3 connector, InfraRed)
GPS Yes
Optional with GP-1
No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D3
Canon EOS Kiss Digital X3
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL4a rechargeable Li-ion battery
Lithium-Ion LP-E5 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 4300 shots 440 shots
Width 160 mm 129 mm
Height 157 mm 98 mm
Depth 88 mm 62 mm
Weight 1300 gram 520 gram