The Nikon D3s D-SLR digital SLR camera at the PhotoPlus Expo trade show. (Click to enlarge.)
[PHOTO: Consumer Reports]

Although Canon’s new pro SLR, the EOS 1-D Mark IV, is getting lots of press here at PhotoPlus, it’s by no means the only SLR being lusted after by pros and photo-enthusiasts. Nikon recently introduced a tweaked version of its D-series pro SLRs: The Nikon D3s is a 12-megapixel SLR with a maximum ISO setting of 102,400 (no, that’s not a typo) and a burst mode of 9 frames per second. Like Canon’s Mark IV, it’s built like a Sherman tank.

The main difference from its predecessor, the Nikon D3, is that the D3s features HD-resolution video capture. According to the specs, it can capture 720 HD video at 24 frames per second. Like Canon’s Mark IV, it should shoot very good video in low light, but the D3s doesn’t have the variety of video capabilities that the Mark IV has. Also, as with the Mark IV, you can add an external microphone for stereo sound.

However, the D3s does have a full-frame sensor, one that’s the same large size as a frame of 35mm film. Such a sensor eliminates any crop factor on lenses attached to the camera. The Mark IV has a crop factor of 1.3x.

Like the Mark IV, it’ll cost you a pretty penny: The list price is $5200.

If you’re in the market for an SLR priced more for the average consumer than for a professional, check out our digital SLR Ratings (available to subscribers). —Terry Sullivan