Nikon Full-Frame Cameras Compared

Nikon has been making full-frame cameras for more than 12 years, and their overall lineup today can seem overwhelming. In this article, I’ll compare Nikon’s entire full-frame (FX) camera lineup and explain which of these cameras might be a good choice for your photography.

What Is a Full-Frame (FX) Camera?

A full-frame camera is any camera with a sensor of similar size to 35mm film. A full-frame sensor’s dimensions are roughly 24 × 36 mm in size.

Nikon labels its full-frame cameras as “FX” cameras. This is in comparison to the company’s smaller, 1.5× crop-sensor “DX” cameras, and extremely small 2.7× crop-sensor “CX” cameras.

Currently, FX cameras have the largest sensors of any Nikon camera. They are the company’s highest-end DSLR and mirrorless cameras.

The current Nikon lineup includes eight current full-frame cameras – six DSLRs and two mirrorless. However, there are also eight discontinued FX digital cameras from Nikon, brining your total options to sixteen if you know you want a Nikon full-frame camera.

The purpose of this article is to give an overview of all sixteen full-frame Nikon cameras ever produced, especially the eight that are currently sold new.

Note that this article only compares Nikon’s full-frame digital cameras. If you want to see a similar comparison of all current Nikon cameras, go to this page instead.

DSLR vs Mirrorless

Right now, Nikon’s full-frame camera lineup is dominated by DSLRs. However, the company released its first FX mirrorless cameras in late 2018, the Nikon Z6 and Z7.

In terms of image quality, there is no difference between Nikon’s DSLR and mirrorless FX cameras. They’re all excellent. Instead, the mirrorless/DSLR differences are more subtle:

• Mirrorless advantages: Smaller and lighter, more modern features, electronic viewfinder, and access to an amazing lineup of Nikon Z mirrorless lenses.
• DSLR advantages: Better value, better autofocus system, optical viewfinder, and access to a much larger lineup of native lenses.

If you’re still not sure, here’s a rough guideline: Mirrorless is better for travel photography, while DSLRs are better for most other requirements at the moment. And I say this as someone who has switched to mirrorless.

• Read more at DSLR vs Mirrorless Cameras

Nikon Full-Frame DSLRs

Nikon D610

The lowest-end FX camera in Nikon’s current lineup is the $1500 Nikon D610 (current price here). 

This camera is often overlooked today. There’s a good chance that even Nikon wants you to forget it exists. After all, it was only released to sweep the D600 dust issue under the rug.

Even worse, it currently sells for exactly the same price as the newer, higher-end Nikon D750. There is no good reason why someone would buy the D610 rather than the D750 at the same price.

Used, however, the D610 is much more reasonable. I often see it go for $700 or less at FredMiranda and eBay – an excellent deal for a 24-megapixel full frame camera. For anyone on a budget, a used D610 with a good lens is really hard to beat.

Specifications:

• Sensor size: FX
• Resolution: 24.3 megapixels
• Autofocus points: 39
• Frame rate: 6 FPS
• Base ISO: 100
• LCD type: Fixed, non-touchscreen
• Max video specs: 1920×1080, 30p
• Battery life: 900 photos
• Control layout: Advanced
• Memory cards: 2 SD
• Weight w/ battery and card: 850 g (30.0 oz)
• Dimensions (W×H×D): 141 × 113 × 82 mm (5.6 × 4.5 × 3.2 in.)
• Price: $1500 (body only)
• Announced: October 2013

The biggest liability is autofocus. The D610 has Nikon’s old 39-point focusing system (same as the entry-level D5600).

On the flip side, the D610’s biggest selling point is its sensor. 24 megapixels is ideal for many requirements – more than enough detail for any reasonable prints, yet significantly smaller file sizes than you’ll get from a 45-megapixel camera.

• Here’s our Nikon D610 review
• And here’s our D610 recommended settings article

So, who should get the Nikon D610? At the moment, if you’re buying new, no one. It’s the same price as the D750, a better camera. But if you’re buying used, it’s an excellent choice for anyone who prioritizes image quality over autofocus prowess. Specifically, landscape and portrait photographers on a budget will find the D610 hard to beat.

Pros:

• Advanced controls and significant customization options
• Amazing full-frame image quality
• 24 megapixel sensor is the optimal for many photographers
• Excellent prices on the used market

Cons:

• Bought new, the same price as the D750, a more advanced camera
• 39-point autofocus system is outdated for fast action work
• Few advanced features: No touchscreen, non-tilting rear LCD, shutter speed limit of 1/4000 second, flash sync limit of 1/200 second
• No 4K or 1080p 60 FPS video

Nikon D750

Nikon’s best all-around camera for the money is the Nikon D750 – also $1500 when bought new, like the D610 (check the D750’s current price). Used, the D750 is more in the range of $900 – still an excellent deal.

Even though it was released back in 2014, the D750 has had a number of discounts recently that make it very competitive today. Here are the specs:

• Sensor size: FX
• Resolution: 24.3 megapixels
• Autofocus points: 51
• Frame rate: 6.5 FPS
• Base ISO: 100
• LCD type: Tilting, non-touchscreen
• Max video specs: 1920×1080, 60p
• Battery life: 1230 photos
• Control layout: Advanced
• Memory cards: 2 SD
• Weight w/ battery and card: 840 g (29.6 oz)
• Dimensions (W×H×D): 141 × 113 × 78 mm (5.6 × 4.5 × 3.1 in.)
• Price: $1500 (body only)
• Announced: September 2014

Compared to the D610, the D750 has a more advanced autofocus system, 60 FPS video (rather than 30 FPS), a tilting LCD, and slightly better battery life. Image quality is the same.

Bought new, this is among the best values in Nikon’s entire camera lineup, not just full-frame cameras. Used, at around $200 more than the Nikon D610, it’s also very competitive.

What are the D750’s drawbacks? On one hand, as good as its 51-point autofocus system is for sports, a few cameras in Nikon’s lineup have a newer 153-point system that’s even better (though the only inexpensive one of the three is a crop-sensor camera, the Nikon D500). Other than that, it would have been nice to get a touchscreen and 4K video on the D750, but those aren’t major selling points for most photographers.

• Here’s our D750 review
• Also see our recommended Nikon D750 settings

The D750’s biggest audience is probably the portrait/wedding crowd, but I’d also strongly consider it for landscape photographers who dabble in other genres. For the price, it’s a really hard camera to beat.

Pros:

• Advanced controls and significant customization options
• Amazing full-frame image quality
• Tilting screen
• Great 51-point autofocus system
• Excellent value at $1500 new, around $900 used

Cons:

• No touchscreen
• No 4K video
• Jack-of-all-trades camera; specialized choices in Nikon’s lineup can be better for specific uses

Nikon Df

This $2750 retro-themed DSLR is a bit of a weird one, but it has a dedicated following even today. Here are the Nikon Df’s specifications, which may remind you of the D610 more than something so expensive:

• Sensor size: FX
• Resolution: 16.2 megapixels
• Autofocus points: 39
• Frame rate: 5.5 FPS
• Base ISO: 100
• LCD type: Fixed, non-touchscreen
• Max video specs: No video capabilities
• Battery life: 1400 photos
• Control layout: Professional, retro
• Memory cards: 1 SD
• Weight w/ battery and card: 765 g (27.0 oz)
• Dimensions (W×H×D): 144 × 110 × 67 mm (5.7 × 4.3 × 2.6 in.)
• Price: $2750 (body only)
• Announced: November 2013

The Nikon Df is a beautifully-designed camera with excellent manual controls. Plus, in low light, its 16-megapixel sensor has slightly better high ISO performance than any other Nikon camera at the moment.

Then again, for $2750 new, it’s a tough sell (current price here). The used market clearly recognizes that, too; I’ve seen it go as low as $1000, although $1200 or so is more typical.

It’s important to mention that Nikon doesn’t have any real duds in its lineup – just a couple cameras that are more expensive than they should be, when purchased new. The Df is one of them.

That said, it ticks the right boxes for certain photographers, and anyone who’s willing to buy used can get quite a good deal on the Df. If nothing else, this camera certainly holds a unique spot in Nikon’s lineup.

• Our Nikon Df review covers this camera’s head-vs-heart dilemma

The Df is not really aimed at landscape photographers (because of the 16 megapixel sensor) or sports photographers (because of the 39 point autofocus system). But for portraiture, weddings, and event photography, there’s a serious case to be made for this camera’s quality. Just – don’t buy it new. The $2750 price is pretty outrageous.

Pros:

• Beautiful design and pro-level retro controls
• Best-in-class high ISO performance for a full frame camera
• Nikon’s lightest FX DSLR
• Exposure meter coupling with pre-Ai Nikon lenses
• Used prices of $1000-1200 are quite reasonable

Cons:

• Old 39-point autofocus system
• No video capabilities at all
• Single memory card slot
• Limited to 5.5 FPS, the lowest of any Nikon FX camera
• 16 megapixel sensor is lowest in Nikon’s lineup (though some consider this a benefit)
• Few advanced features: No touchscreen, non-tilting rear LCD, shutter speed limit of 1/4000 second, flash sync limit of 1/200 second
• Overpriced when sold new at $2750

Nikon D850

Next up is one of the best cameras of all time, the Nikon D850. We ranked it #1 in our list of today’s top DSLR cameras, with good reason. This $3000, 45-megapixel FX camera is a monster.

The specs:

• Sensor size: FX
• Resolution: 45.7 megapixels
• Autofocus points: 153
• Frame rate: 7 FPS, or 9 FPS when using Nikon’s battery grip
• Base ISO: 64
• LCD type: Tilting touchscreen
• Max video specs: 3840×2160 (4k), 30p
• Battery life: 1840 photos
• Control layout: Professional
• Memory cards: 1 SD, 1 XQD
• Weight w/ battery and card: 1005 g (35.5 oz)
• Dimensions (W×H×D): 146 × 124 × 79 mm (5.8 × 4.9 × 3.1 in.)
• Price: $3000 (body only)
• Announced: July 2017

It has Nikon’s top 153-point autofocus system, the company’s highest resolution 45-megapixel sensor, a surprisingly high frame rate of 7 FPS (9 FPS with the battery grip), and nearly every one of Nikon’s top features. The D850 commands a $3000 price for good reason (check the current price here).

Then again, $3000 is a lot of money to spend on a camera, no matter how good it is. Used, the D850 is still a hefty $2200 or so on sites like eBay. For that price, you could get two D750s and still have room to spare for a lens.

In general, I’d say photographers would be better off with the D750 coupled with a good lens. But if you want the best of the best, you know where to look.

• The Nikon D850 got 4.9 out of 5 stars in our review, the highest of any camera yet
• Here, we explain our recommended camera settings to get as much as possible out of the D850

At first glance, the Nikon D850 may look like it’s targeted at landscape photographers. However, plenty of sports and wildlife photographers will find the 153-point autofocus system and 9 FPS shooting (with battery grip) to be ideal for their needs. Unless light weight is your top requirement, the D850 is as close to perfect as any camera today. 

Pros:

• Pro-level build quality, controls, and customization options
• Best-in-class image quality with 45 megapixel sensor and base ISO 64
• Surprisingly good 7 FPS shooting (9 FPS with battery grip)
• Nikon’s best autofocus system, 153 points
• Tilting touchscreen
• 4K video

Cons:

• Expensive at $3000 (around $2200 used), though you get what you pay for
• Larger and heavier than most other Nikon cameras

Nikon D810

Technically not yet discontinued by Nikon is the older D810, the 36-megapixel predecessor of the D850.

Just because it’s been replaced by a newer model doesn’t make the D810 a bad camera. In fact, this full-frame DSLR is just right for a lot of people – especially landscape photographers who want a high resolution camera without spending as much as the D850.

New, the Nikon D810 is $2000 (check price). Used, it’s more in the range of $1100, which is a seriously good deal.

The specs:

• 146 × 123 × 81.5 mm (5.8 × 4.9 × 3.3 in.)Sensor size: FX
• Resolution: 36.3 megapixels
• Autofocus points: 51
• Frame rate: 5 FPS (standard), 6 FPS (1.2× crop), 7 FPS (DX crop with battery grip)
• Base ISO: 64
• LCD type: Fixed, non-touchscreen
• Max video specs: 1920×1080, 60p
• Battery life: 1200 photos
• Control layout: Professional
• Memory cards: 1 SD, 1 CF
• Weight w/ battery and card: 980 g (34.6 oz)
• Dimensions (W×H×D): 146 × 123 × 82 mm (5.8 × 4.9 × 3.3 in.)
• Price: $2000 (body only)
• Announced: June 2014

Compared to the Nikon D850, it’s clear that the D810 lags in some departments. It only shoots 5 FPS rather than 7 FPS natively, the sensor is 36 rather than 45 megapixels, and the autofocus system is 51 rather than 153 focusing points.

That said – the image quality on the D810 remains spectacular. The 36 megapixel sensor is more than enough for most photographers, and the D810’s ability to shoot at base ISO 64 rather than 100 gives you some extra dynamic range in high-contrast situations. For the price, especially used, it’s an excellent deal.

• Here’s our (extremely positive) review of the Nikon D810
• If you have this camera, you may find our D810 settings guide useful

So, who is the D810 targeted at? The obvious answer is landscape photographers. If you use a good lens, the D810 will out-resolve the D850 with a cheap zoom – and the significantly lower price gives you a lot of room to buy good lenses for the D810.

Pros:

• Pro-level build quality, controls, and customization options
• Excellent image quality with 36 megapixel sensor and base ISO 64
• Great 51-point autofocus system
• Excellent value, especially used around $1100, but even new at $2000

Cons:

• No touchscreen
• Non-tilting rear LCD
• No 4K video
• 5 FPS maximum frame rate (7 FPS with battery grip and 1.5× crop) is on the lower end for a Nikon full-frame camera
• Larger and heavier than most other Nikon cameras

Nikon D5

As amazing as the Nikon D850 is, it’s still not the flagship camera in Nikon’s lineup. That honor goes to the $6000 Nikon D5 – an extreme sports and action camera with Nikon’s top autofocus system, a 12 FPS maximum frame rate, and a 20 megapixel FX sensor.

Here are the D5’s specifications:

• Sensor size: FX
• Resolution: 20.8 megapixels
• Autofocus points: 153
• Frame rate: 12 FPS
• Base ISO: 100
• LCD type: Fixed touchscreen
• Max video specs: 3840×2160 (4k), 30p
• Battery life: 3780 photos
• Control layout: Top-tier professional
• Memory cards: 2 XQD or 2 CF
• Weight w/ battery and 2 XQD cards: 1405 g (49.6 oz)
• Dimensions (W×H×D): 160 × 159 × 92 mm (6.3 × 6.2 × 3.6 in.)
• Price: $6000 (body only)
• Announced: January 2016

It may seem expensive for what you get – on paper, twice the price of the D850 for lower resolution and just three more FPS – but pros who photograph the Olympics don’t care. The D5’s specifications are unparalleled among Nikon cameras for action photography. And its near-invincible build quality holds up well in almost every environment that isn’t underwater.

That said, the Nikon D5 is so specialized that many photographers don’t even have it on their radar. If you told me I had $6000 to spend on a Nikon camera, I’d buy a D850 and put the rest of the money toward lenses.

Of course, if you need it, you need it. You probably already have it, and you’ll pre-order the D6 the moment it’s announced.

Pros:

• Best-in-class build quality, controls, and customization options
• Best-in-class high ISO performance
• 12 FPS shooting and 200 image buffer
• Nikon’s best autofocus system, 153 points
• Rear LCD is touchscreen, though non-tilting (to improve build quality)
• 4K video

Cons:

• Nikon’s most expensive camera at $6000
• Extremely large, heavy, specialized DSLR

Nikon Full-Frame Mirrorless Cameras

Nikon Z6

It took the company years to get here, but in 2018 Nikon finally released a series of full-frame mirrorless cameras to compete with the likes of Sony.

The Nikon Z6 sells for a competitive $1800 new, though Nikon’s been dropping prices; check current price here. However, the Z6 is such a new camera that its used price hasn’t gone down much – about $1400.

In terms of specifications, the Nikon Z6 is quite good:

• Sensor size: FX
• Resolution: 24.5 megapixels
• Autofocus system: 273-point hybrid PDAF
• Frame rate: 12 FPS (12-bit RAW), 9 FPS (14-bit RAW)
• Base ISO: 100
• LCD type: Tilting touchscreen
• Max video specs: 3840×2160 (4k), 30p
• Battery life: 310 photos
• Control layout: Professional
• Memory cards: 1 XQD
• Weight w/ battery and card: 675 g (23.8 oz)
• Dimensions (W×H×D): 134 × 101 × 68 mm (5.3 × 4.0 × 2.7 in.)
• Price: $1800 (body only)
• Announced: August 2018

Note the weight of the Z6: 675 grams (1 lb, 7.8 oz). By comparison, the Nikon D750 weighs 840 grams (1 lb 13.7 oz). Even the Df, Nikon’s lightest FX DSLR, is a full 90 grams (3.2 oz) heavier. This is one of the big advantages of mirrorless cameras over DSLRs.

In addition, the Z6 has Nikon’s new Z lens mount, allowing you to use the camera with any of Nikon’s (excellent) mirrorless lenses. As for using Nikon’s earlier, F-mount glass, you can do so easily with the FTZ adapter – but when you do, you’ll lose a decent bit of the Z6’s weight savings along the way.

Compared to the D750, the Nikon Z6 is more expensive, but you do get Nikon’s newest features – a higher frame rate, a sharper LCD (with touchscreen ability), and a newer sensor with some high ISO improvements. The Z6 also has great video specifications, including oversampled 4K video with 4:2:2 10-bit HDMI output. See our D750 vs Z6 comparison for more details.

What about focusing? Although the Z6’s autofocus system has a whopping 273 focusing points, it’s not as good as Nikon DSLRs in practice for tracking moving subjects. (Interestingly, for photographing nonmoving subjects, the Z6 is actually slightly faster and more accurate to focus than Nikon DSLRs.)

• Our review of the Nikon Z6
• Nikon Z6 recommended camera settings

Overall? Travel photographers and videographers will love it, while I’d stick to the D750 for portrait and event photography because of the lower price and better autofocus tracking. But you can’t go wrong either way.

Pros:

• Pro-level build quality, controls, and customization options
• Best-in-class high ISO performance
• Tilting touchscreen
• Nikon’s newest features, including in-body image stabilization
• 4K video with excellent specifications
• Small and lightweight
• Good value new at $1800
• Surprisingly good 12 FPS limit in 12-bit RAW and 9 FPS in 14-bit RAW
• Access to Nikon’s newest mirrorless lenses

Cons:

• Autofocus system, though excellent for nonmoving subjects, struggles with tracking fast action
• Single memory card slot
• Requires an adapter to use F-mount lenses
• Battery life of just 310 photos (though this isn’t worse than typical Nikon DSLRs, when the DSLR is used in live view only)
• Used prices haven’t yet come down – around $1400 at the moment

Nikon Z7

The $3000 counterpart to the Z6 is the Nikon Z7 (used, around $2400). This camera is a clone of the Z6 in many ways – including exactly the same camera body – but it has a 45 megapixel sensor rather than 24.

Nikon Z7 specifications:

• Sensor size: FX
• Resolution: 45.7 megapixels
• Autofocus system: 493-point hybrid PDAF
• Frame rate: 9 FPS (12-bit RAW), 8 FPS (14-bit RAW)
• Base ISO: 64
• LCD type: Tilting touchscreen
• Max video specs: 3840×2160 (4k), 30p
• Battery life: 330 photos
• Control layout: Professional
• Memory cards: 1 XQD
• Weight w/ battery and card: 675 g (23.8 oz)
• Dimensions (W×H×D): 134 × 101 × 68 mm (5.3 × 4.0 × 2.7 in.)
• Price: $3000 (body only)
• Announced: August 2018

Other than slight differences here and there, the Nikon Z7 is the same as the Nikon Z6, just with a different sensor. You can check our Z6 vs Z7 comparison to see how similar they really are.

My recommendation – and I say this as a Nikon Z7 owner – is to get the Z6. The extra megapixels are overkill for most photographers, and even a drawback for some (taking up twice the hard drive space).

• We reviewed the Z7 in detail here
• Followed by our recommended Nikon Z7 settings guide

Still, certain specialized photographers will find the Z7 a great camera for their needs. If you’re a landscape or architectural photographer who prints large, there’s no denying that the Z7 is a strong camera. In many ways, it’s like a mirrorless D850 – newer and lighter weight, albeit not as refined of a camera overall.

Pros:

• Pro-level build quality, controls, and customization options
• Best-in-class image quality with 45 megapixel sensor and base ISO 64
• Tilting touchscreen
• Nikon’s newest features, including in-body image stabilization
• 4K video with excellent specifications
• Small and lightweight
• Surprisingly good 9 FPS limit in 12-bit RAW and 8 FPS in 14-bit RAW
• Access to Nikon’s newest mirrorless lenses

Cons:

• Autofocus system, though excellent for nonmoving subjects, struggles with tracking fast action
• Single memory card slot
• Requires an adapter to use F-mount lenses
• Fairly expensive at $3000, or around $2400 used. Nikon D850 is similar in price, but with a better autofocus system and a larger native lens lineup
• Battery life of just 330 photos (though this isn’t worse than typical Nikon DSLRs, when the DSLR is used in live view only)

Discontinued FX Cameras

All the cameras above are current options in Nikon’s lineup, sold new. But there is also an extensive used market for older, discontinued Nikon full-frame cameras. Many of them remain excellent choices today:

Nikon D600

Predecessor of the D610, the D600 is probably Nikon’s most infamous DSLR. Although it was an excellent camera for the price in many ways, it had a common issue of oil and dust sticking on the sensor and harming photos. Nikon eventually recalled the D600, but you can still find used copies available on sites like eBay.

Because of the dust issue, the D600 sells for excellent prices on the used market. It’s practically identical to the D610 in specifications – the biggest difference is that it shoots 5.5 FPS rather than 6 FPS.

Used, the D600 is about $500 or even less. This is actually an amazing deal considering that Nikon will fix D600 cameras with the oil/dust issue for free, even if you buy a used model. However, they are ending the program in January of 2020, so you should get the D600 soon if it’s on your list.

Nikon D700

The Nikon D700 was the first consumer-oriented FX camera in Nikon’s lineup. It has next to none of Nikon’s modern features (video, touchscreen, dual card slots) but actually remains a good purchase for a certain segment of photographers.

Specifically, the D700 only shoots 12 megapixel photos, but it sports Nikon’s 51-point autofocus system and 8 FPS with Nikon’s battery grip (5 FPS without). Considering that it sells used for about $400, it’s a surprisingly good deal for sports and portrait photographers on a budget even today.

Nikon D800/D800e

Nikon created a huge splash on the market when it announced the Nikon D800 and D800e in February of 2012 – the first full-frame camera with 36 megapixels, practically a revolution for detail-hungry landscape photographers.

The D800 and D800e are slow cameras to use. Although they do have Nikon’s 51-point focusing system, they’re limited to 4 FPS shooting (6 FPS when shooting in crop-sensor DX mode with a battery grip). Even the D610 beats those numbers.

But if you’re after an ultra-high resolution sensor on a budget, the image quality from the D800 and D800e is amazing even by today’s standards. Used, the D800 is about $550, while the D800e is about $650. (The only difference is that the D800e eliminates the anti-aliasing filter.)

To me, this is a better deal than a used D610 ($700), especially for landscape photographers.

Nikon D3

The first-ever full-frame Nikon camera was the D3, announced in August of 2007. Used, it’s in the range of $550.

Like the D700, the Nikon D3 uses a 12-megapixel sensor and Nikon’s 51-point autofocus system. The main benefit of the D3 by comparison is its faster frame rate (9 FPS, or 11 FPS in 5-megapixel crop mode with focusing and exposure locked). However, it is also a significantly larger, heavier camera.

Complicating matters, too, is the D3s – also a 12 megapixel sensor, but one that performs better in low light than either the D3 or the D700. Still, if your budget is around $550 and you want a tough, full-frame, high-FPS beast, the D3 could still be a good buy even 12 years later.

Nikon D3s

The Nikon D3s matches the D3 in most specifications, but it revamps the 12-megapixel sensor to improve high ISO performance by about 1.5 stops. Even today, the D3s’s high ISO performance is close to the best available, and it was announced in October 2009.

It’s about $800 on the used market, and – like the D3 – shoots 9 FPS with Nikon’s 51-point focusing system.

Between the D3 and D3s, I’d recommend paying extra for the D3s – or going for the D700 if budget is your main concern. 12 megapixels goes a long way if your high ISO performance is top-of-the-line.

Nikon D3X

Holding the honor of the most expensive Nikon camera at the time of launch, the D3X sold initially for a whopping $8000. What do you get for the price? Class-leading resolution – 24 megapixels. (All right, class-leading at the time.) Today, it’s about $1000 used.

The D3X maxes out at 5 FPS shooting, again with Nikon’s 51-point autofocus system. So, it’s not geared toward sports and wildlife photography very much; even the D610 shoots faster than that (though with a 39-point focusing system.)

Why would anyone get the D3X today, then? The biggest reason is build quality. Like the other D3/D4/D5 cameras, the D3X is a huge DSLR with an extremely rugged build. If that’s essential for your needs, the D3X is still the highest-resolution camera in Nikon’s lineup with such extreme build quality.

Other than that, it’s honestly a bit of a relic these days. The Nikon D750 is a better camera in every way except build quality, and it costs less on the used market.

Nikon D4

Moving up to the Nikon D4, we have a 16-megapixel sports camera with slightly higher FPS than the D3s (10 FPS natively, 11 FPS with focus and exposure locked).

At a price of about $1200 used, I’d probably lean toward the D4 over the D3s, but it’s a close call. Image quality leans in the D4’s favor because of the higher resolution sensor (and base ISO 100 rather than 200), but high ISO performance is pretty comparable. Both cameras have a 51-point focusing system, though the D4’s is considered the “advanced” version and does track focus a bit better, especially in low light.

We’re kind of spoiled these days. The D4 was announced in January of 2012 for $6000, and today we can get it for 1/5 the price. It remains an amazing camera for sports and action photography.

Nikon D4s

The last camera on this list is the Nikon D4s, a surprisingly similar camera to the Nikon D4. It adds a group-area autofocus mode, though it doesn’t change the 51-point autofocus system otherwise. The D4s shoots 11 FPS with autofocus and auto exposure, whereas the D4 is 10 FPS by comparison.

Buffer capacity is a bit better on the D4s – 104 14-bit compressed RAW images versus 76 – though the difference isn’t drastic. High ISO performance is also essentially the same, with only the slightest improvement on the D4s.

Despite the similarities, it sells for significantly more – about $1600 used, though prices fluctuate. In general, I’d recommend sticking to the D4 and spending the money on lenses instead.

Conclusion

Nikon has produced quite a number of full-frame cameras over the years, starting with the D3 in 2007 and leading to the current day, with both mirrorless and DSLRs.

There’s hardly a dud in the lineup. Even the D600, the most maligned FX camera Nikon has ever made, is perfectly good when the dust issue is fixed (and an excellent value on the used market as a result).

That said, each Nikon FX camera is made for a different type of photographer, so not all of them will be the optimal choice for you. The D750 is a great all-around budget choice. The D850 is a high-resolution beast. The mirrorless cameras are small, light, and super modern. And many of the discontinued cameras in Nikon’s full-frame lineup remain amazing deals when purchased used today.

This article is not about choosing the “best” Nikon FX camera. Each one could be the best for your needs, or totally unnecessary for the photos you want to take. That’s why Nikon makes so many cameras.

If you have any questions or recommendations about these cameras, please let me know in the comments section below!