• 14.2 megapixel DX-format CMOS image sensor delivers lifelike images with vivid colors and reduced noise
• EXPEED2 image processing engine provides enhanced movie recording, high-sensitivity performance and maximum image quality
• High ISO (100-3200) light sensitivity - manually extendable up to ISO12800
• D-Movie – full HD (1920 x 1080) movie clips: record beautiful high-definition (HD) movie clips with sound
• GUIDE mode: quick and easy-to-use in-camera assistance

Technical specifications

Type:Single-lens reflex digital camera
Lens mount: Nikon F mount (with AF contacts)
Effective angle of view: Approximately 1.5x lens focal length (Nikon DX format)
Image sensor: 23.1 x 15.4 mm CMOS sensor
Effective pixels: 14.2 million pixels
Total pixels: 14.8 million pixels
Dust-reduction system: Image sensor cleaning, Image Dust Off reference data (optional Capture NX 2 software required)
Image size (pixels): 4,608 x 3,072 (L)
3,456 × 2,304 (M)
2,304 × 1,536 (S)
File format: NEF (compressed RAW)
JPEG: JPEG-Baseline compliant with fine (approx. 1 : 4), normal (approx. 1 : 8), or basic (approx. 1 : 16) compression
Simultaneous recording of compressed RAW and JPEG fine image possible
Media: SD (Secure Digital), SDHC, SDXC, and Eye-Fi memory cards
Picture Control System: Can be selected from Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome, Landscape, Portrait
Selected Picture Control can be modified
Viewfinder: Eye-level pentamirror single-lens reflex viewfinder
Frame coverage: Approx. 95% horizontal and 95% vertical
Magnification: Approximately 0.8× (50mm f/1.4 lens at infinity, -1.0 m-1)
Eyepoint: 18 mm (-1.0 m-1)
Diopter adjustment: -1.7 to +0.5 m-1
Focusing screen: Type B BriteView Clear Matte Mark VII screen
Reflex mirror: Quick return type
Lens aperture: Instant return, electronically controlled
Compatible lenses: AF-S or AF-I NIKKOR: All functions supported. Type G or D AF NIKKOR without built-in autofocus motor: All functions except autofocus supported. Other AF NIKKOR without built-in autofocus motor: All functions supported except autofocus and 3D color matrix metering II. IX NIKKOR and F3AF: Not supported. Type D PC lenses: All functions supported except autofocus and some shooting modes. AI-P NIKKOR: All functions supported except autofocus and 3D color matrix metering II. Non-CPU: Autofocus not supported. Can be used in exposure mode M, but exposure meter does not function. Electronic rangefinder can be used if lens has a maximum aperture of f/5.6 or faster
Shutter Type: Electronically controlled, vertical-travel focal-plane shutter
Shutter Speed 1/4000 to 30 s in steps of 1/3 EV, bulb
Flash sync speed: X=1/200 s
Synchronizes with shutter at 1/200 s or slower
Release mode: Single frame, continuous, self-timer, quiet shutter release
Frame advance rate: Up to 3 fps (manual focus, mode M or S, shutter speed 1/250 s or faster, and other settings at default values)
Self-timer: 2 s, 10 s
Metering: TTL exposure metering using 420-pixel RGB sensor
Metering method: Matrix: 3D color matrix metering II (type G and D lenses)
Color matrix metering II (other CPU lenses)
Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 8-mm circle in center of frame
Spot: Meters 3.5 mm circle (about 2.5 % of frame) centered on selected focus point
Range (ISO 100, f/1.4 lens, 20 °C/68 °F): Matrix or center-weighted metering: 0 to 20 EV
Spot metering: 2 to 20 EV
Exposure meter coupling: CPU
Mode: Auto modes (auto, auto (flash off)
Scene modes (portrait, landscape, child, sports, close up, night portrait)
Programmed auto with flexible program Shutter-priority auto (S)
Aperture-priority auto (A)
Manual (M)
Exposure compensation: -5 to +5 EV in increments of 1/3 EV
Exposure lock: Luminosity locked at detected value with AE-L/AF-L button
ISO sensitivity (Recommended Exposure Index): ISO 100 to 3200 in steps of 1 EV
Can also be set to approx. 2 EV above ISO 3200 (ISO 12800 equivalent)
Auto ISO sensitivity control available
Active D-Lighting: Can be selected from on or off
Autofocus: Nikon Multi-CAM 1000 autofocus sensor module with TTL phase detection, 11 focus points (including one cross-type sensor), and AF-assist illuminator (range approx. 0.5–3 m/1 ft. 8 in.–9 ft. 10 in.)
Detection range: -1 to +19 EV (ISO 100 at 20°C/68°F)
Lens servo: Autofocus (AF): Single-servo AF (AF-S)
Continuous-servo AF (AF-C)
Auto AF-S/AF-C selection (AF-A)
Predictive focus tracking activated automatically according to subject status. Manual focus (MF): Electronic rangefinder can be used
AF-area mode: Single-point AF, dynamic-area AF, auto-area AF, 3D-tracking (11 points)
Focus lock: Focus can be locked by pressing shutter-release button halfway (single-servo AF) or by pressing AE-L/AF-L button
Built-in flash: Guide number of approximately 12/39, 13/43 with manual flash (m/ft, ISO 100, 20°C/68°F)
Auto, portrait, child, close up, night portrait: Auto flash with auto pop-up
P, S, A, M: Manual pop-up with button release
Flash control: TTL: i-TTL balanced fill-flash and standard i-TTL flash for digital SLR using 420-pixel RGB sensor. i-TTL balanced fill-flash is available with built-in flash and SB-900, SB-800, SB-600, or SB-400 when matrix or center-weighted metering is selected. Standard i-TTL is available with built-in flash and SB-900, SB-800, SB-600, or SB-400 when spot metering is selected (Flash mode can be set using Speedlight controls with SB-900, SB-800, and SB-600). Auto aperture: Available with SB-900/SB-800 and CPU lens. Non-TTL auto: Supported flash units include SB-900, SB-800, SB-80DX, SB-28DX, SB-28, SB-27, and SB-22S. Distance-priority manual: Available with SB-900 and SB-800
Angle of coverage: Sufficient to illuminate the angle of view of an 18 mm lens. Picture edges may be slightly dark depending upon conditions, such as the lens used and the aperture setting.