Nikon D3x

	Noise Summary
• Acceptably low noise levels, especially at ISO 100, though a tiny bit high at ISO 1600 • With noise reduction off, noise levels stay below 1.5%, with noise reduction on maximum noise peaks at 0.85% • Color and luma noise tightly bunched across all ISOs • Extended ISO range of ISO 50 to ISO 6400 is good, but we would prefer a slightly higher maximum
	Color	Page 4 of 18	Resolution

Noise (6.51)

In our image noise test, the D700 performed well, but not exceptionally so. It kept noise levels at a reasonable level across all ISOs, especially at ISO 100. For this test, we shoot the X-Rite ColorChecker chart, illuminated to 3000 lux, using the most accurate color mode available (in this case, neutral). The chart is photographed at every ISO setting that Nikon assigns a specific ISO value to, which excludes their Lo and Hi settings, and the images are analyzed using Imatest software to determine the amount of noise in each picture. Click here for more on how we test noise.

Noise Reduction Level Comparison

The first of our tests in this series looks at the noise levels across the four steps of noise reduction. You can see that software kicks in after ISO 400 for High, and at 800 for the other settings. The Low setting noise reduction has a minimal effect across the board.

Color & Luma Noise

The color and luma noise chart displays image noise results separately for the red, green, blue, yellow and luma (gray) channels. The tight grouping here is good, as substantial variation from a tightly grouped pattern would be visually noticeable.

Noise Reduction Off Comparison

When you compare the D3x against the other cameras with noise reduction off, it sits in the middle ranks. It's a bit lower at ISO 100 and a bit higher at ISO 1600, but overall pretty much right in the middle.

Noise Reduction Maximum Comparison

With the noise reduction cranked all the way up, the D3x still sits at about the same level as the other cameras, comfortably staying below 0.85% even at ISO 1600. What's interesting is that once again the D700 performs slightly better than the D3x. Not massively, but enough to raise an eyebrow.

Noise Score Comparison

ISO (8.00)

When you compare the D3x against the other cameras with noise reduction off, it sits in the middle ranks. It's a bit lower at ISO 100 and a bit higher at ISO 1600, but overall pretty much right in the middle. The precursor model, the Nikon D3, had an official range of ISO 200 to 6400, with extended ISOs down to 100 and up to 25600.

The crops below are all 100 pixels square, shown at 100% magnification, so the amount of detail shown in each will vary according the the megapixel count of the camera.

	ISO Examples
	Nikon D3x	Nikon D700	Canon 5D Mark II	Sony A900	Nikon D90
ISO 50
	Nikon D3x	Nikon D700	Canon 5D Mark II	Sony A900	Nikon D90
ISO 100
	Nikon D3x	Nikon D700	Canon 5D Mark II	Sony A900	Nikon D90
ISO 200
	Nikon D3x	Nikon D700	Canon 5D Mark II	Sony A900	Nikon D90
ISO 400
	Nikon D3x	Nikon D700	Canon 5D Mark II	Sony A900	Nikon D90
ISO 800
	Nikon D3x	Nikon D700	Canon 5D Mark II	Sony A900	Nikon D90
ISO 1600
	Nikon D3x	Nikon D700	Canon 5D Mark II	Sony A900	Nikon D90
ISO 3200
	Nikon D3x	Nikon D700	Canon 5D Mark II	Sony A900	Nikon D90
ISO 6400
	Nikon D3x	Nikon D700	Canon 5D Mark II	Sony A900	Nikon D90
ISO 12800
	Nikon D3x	Nikon D700	Canon 5D Mark II	Sony A900	Nikon D90
ISO 25600

Color	Page 4 of 18		Resolution
Nikon D3x Digital Camera Review Navigation
Intro	Product Tour	Color	Noise
Resolution	White Balance	Sample Photos	Playback
Hardware	Controls	Design & Handling	Speed & Timing
Nikon D700 Comparison	Canon 5D Mark II Comp	Sony A900 Comparison	Nikon D90 Comparison
Conclusion	Specs & Ratings