Davet Loc: Fort Myers, Florida

Not including price.....Whats the skinny?????

amehta Loc: Boston

Technically, you've got 5 choices:
* D3 (12mp)
* D3s (12mp)
* D4 (16mp)
* D4s (16mp)
* D800 (36mp)

The D800 has the best resolution of the bunch.

For speed and high ISO performance, the D4s wins. The other three are simply incremental steps in the ladder, all great cameras, but each newer one better then the previous models. By some standards, the D3s is better at "mid-ISO" levels like ISO 3200/6400, because the pixels are larger. I think those differences are pretty small.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

What are your photographic needs? Be specific. ;-)
SS

wsa111 Loc: Goose Creek, South Carolina

If you don't shoot sport events where you need 10 frames a second, get the D800 or the D800E.
The advantage is the ability to crop more & still retain a sharp image.

Davet Loc: Fort Myers, Florida

wildlife/nature, landscapes and sports

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

For the sports part, the D4/D4s is THE camera, but it is expensive to say the least. I shoot some sports with my D3 and those twelve million pixels and the 10FPS frame rate is fantastic. If you can find a used D3/D3s, get it. The low-light capability is also amazing. Newer cameras are better, but for most uses, the D3-series more than adequate.

I also use a D800 and while it does not have the frame rate of the D3 or D4, if you know the sport and get the timing right, it is a great sports camera and the 36MP is like having a 400mm lens instead of 200mm.

Image quality on all three is outstanding.

amehta Loc: Boston

Do you "spray and pray" or do you pick your shots? If you take one shot at a time, the D800 is excellent for all of these uses. If you use rapid-fire, the D4s is the camera for you (if price does not matter).

Of course SS will soon say the Canon 1DX is absolutely the only camera you should consider. But really any of the cameras being discussed are more than up to the task.

mechengvic Loc: SoCalo

You forgot the Df!!! 8-)

amehta Loc: Boston

I didn't forget it. :lol:

Gobuster Loc: South Florida

What about the 24mp D610, is as good or better in low light than the D800 and shoots 6 fps. IQ is excellent.

amehta Loc: Boston

True, the D610 is an excellent contender, even if price is not a factor. The AF system in the D4 and D800 is better, though, which is a slight factor for nature and sports. I am not saying that the D610 will fail at any of these. But if the OP is looking to buy a camera without consideration of cost, the D610 doesn't get on the short list.

The overall IQ differences between all of these are a difference of a few percentage points. There are also differences in build quality. operational speed, and weight.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

You can compare the specs on

http://snapsort.com/compare

Cocadori Loc: Montana

I shoot the D800 after shooting all the others. D3and the (S) way too much price for my taste and the MP's are little. D4 super fast Superior AF but only 16 mp's D600 and 610 superb.. awesome actually but more "preset" controls than I like... D800 well 36 mps (like having and extra couple 100 mm's on your lens) same AF system as the D4, priced in the middle, total control of camera settings. The only thing that would help is 8-10 fps would be nice.

just my opinion.

lukan Loc: Chicago, IL

The D800 is simply a terrific all-around camera, if you want to be a Nikon shooter (due to lenses, accessories, etc.). Its greatest benefit is cropability of the image. I think its greatest challenge (not necessarily "drawback" ) is framerate, and usable images at that framerate. Technique is extremely important with the D800/e in shooting things that move because of its autofocus adaptability and how it relates to that highly resolute sensor. In this case, the D610 is much more forgiving while still being extraordinarily capable. In a studio, portraiture, landscape, wildlife stalking environment, the D800 is exemplary. The D4/D4S is a lot better at shooting things that move (sports, action wildlife) and has exceptional low-light/ low-noise capabilities. Every dealer in the Chicago area can't get, or is out of the D4S! You sort of have to determine what you need that camera for 70+% of the time, and let that drive your decision. Forget about the Df unless you're a private investigator or other type of low-light photographer. In a perfect world, where there are no budget constraints and all models are readily available, I'd get a D800e for "the studio" and landscapes, and a D4S for everything else... especially for things that move.
If I had to choose only one out of the Nikon stable, I'd choose the D4S and make sure I get close enough to the subject with the portrait work that I wouldn't have to crop much; and it has a tremendous sensor and autofocus with exceptional low-noise capabilities, which I like for shooting things that move. And in the final analysis, I don't want to miss the shot at the finish line, or the ball scoring the winning goal, or the wideout coming down with the pass at 1st and goal-to-go at the 4 yard line, but that's just me: D4S if you're a Nikon guy. :D

lukan Loc: Chicago, IL

:thumbup: :thumbup: