Nikon D3X Summary

The Nikon D3X is the top-of-the-line full-frame DSLR from Nikon. It delivers the highest resolution of any DSLR at a continuous speed of 5 FPS with an ISO sensitivity range expandable to 50-6400. This large camera with integrated vertical grip provides lots of external controls in a professional weather-sealed body. Its extra large 100% coverage reflex viewfinder makes judging focus easy and framing comfortable and accurate.

While the D3X has an incredible and customizable feature set, there are two important features missing: a built-in flash and built-in dust reduction. Due to its considerable size, the D3X certainly does not afford discretion either. Nikon offers a D3S
Nikon D3S which is nearly identical to the D3X but uses a 12 MP sensor that gives it improved low-light performance and faster continuous speed.

There are only 2 direct competitors to the D3X. Here you can compare the specifications of the Nikon D3X, Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III and Sony Alpha A900.

The most different is the Sony Alpha A900
Sony Alpha A900 which has a relatively compact body without a vertical grip which makes it much lighter while giving it considerably shorter battery life. The A900 is unique in that it offers built-in image stabilization which is effective with all lenses. While the A900 also has a larger viewfinder, its feature set is much simpler with only 9 AF points, no automatic backups, no image authentication, no viewfinder shutter, no digital level and no Average metering mode.

The Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III has a lower resolution of 21 MP, a lower resolution LCD, no digital level, a smaller continuous buffer, no automatic backups, no viewfinder shutter and no average metering mode. On the other hand it features the largest viewfinder of any DSLR and built-in dust reduction.