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Nikon D3S vs Sony Alpha DSLR-A900

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonD3SSonyAlpha DSLR-A900
Overview
ReleasedNovember 2009September 2008
Image and sensor
Camera typeDSLRDSLR
Sensor formatFull frameFull frame
Sensor typeCMOSCMOS
Sensor dimensions36 × 23.9 mm35.9 × 24 mm
Effective resolution12.1 MP24.6 MP
Largest image4256 × 28326048 × 4032
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range200–12800200–3200
Sensor detail12.87 million total pixels; FX, 1.2×, DX and 5:4 image areas. Maximum 1.2× image 3552 × 2368, DX image 2784 × 1848 and 5:4 image 3552 × 2832; sensor-cleaning systemExmor CMOS; approximately 25.7 million total pixels; RGB primary-colour filter; anti-static coating and sensor-shift dust removal
Image formats12-bit or 14-bit NEF RAW, uncompressed, compressed or losslessly compressed; JPEG, TIFF RGB and RAW plus JPEGJPEG, RAW (Sony ARW 2.1), compressed cRAW and RAW/cRAW+JPEG; 3:2, cropped 16:9 and approximately 11 MP APS-C crop. Sony’s Hong Kong launch PDF says ARW 2.0; the exact Japanese spec sheet and press table specify ARW 2.1.
ISO detailExpanded equivalents ISO 100–102400; Auto ISO; high-sensitivity movie mode extends to equivalent ISO 102400Standard ISO 200–3200 in 1/3-stop steps, with expanded ISO 100–6400; Auto ISO 200–1600 with selectable limits
Image processorEXPEED image-processing system; Scene Recognition SystemDual BIONZ image-processing engines
Lens and shooting
Lens mountNikon F mountSony A-mount
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationSensor shift
Maximum continuous burst9 fps5 fps
Lens detailAF coupling supports compatible screw-drive lenses; DX lenses supported with automatic crop. Supported non-CPU AI lenses permit aperture-priority and manual exposure, with colour matrix metering when lens data is entered; IX and F3AF lenses unsupportedInterchangeable Sony A-mount; compatible Sony, Minolta and Konica Minolta AF lenses. DT lenses trigger APS-C crop, but Sony does not guarantee full exposure performance with APS-C-only DT optics.
AutofocusMulti-CAM 3500FX phase detection; 51 points including 15 cross-type; single-point, auto-area and dynamic 9/21/51-point modes with 3D tracking; AF fine-tuningTTL phase detection with nine selectable points (centre dual-cross) and ten non-selectable assist points; additional F2.8 precision sensor; single-shot, automatic and continuous AF, direct manual focus and manual focus; EV 0–18 detection at ISO 100; LED AF-assist lamp. AF micro-adjustment stores up to 30 lenses; no Eye-Start AF according to Sony’s exact Japanese table, despite the Hong Kong press table listing it.
Shutter1/8000 to 30 seconds and Bulb; flash sync 1/250 second; shutter tested to 300000 cycles; Quiet release modeElectronically controlled vertical-traverse focal-plane shutter; 30 seconds to 1/8000 second plus Bulb; flash sync 1/250 second with stabilisation off or 1/200 second with it on; mirror-up drive mode
Burst detailApproximately 9 fps at full FX resolution and in 1.2× or 5:4 crops; up to 11 fps in lower-resolution DX. At 10/11 fps focus locks to the first frame, and exposure also locks in poor light; VR and Auto ISO can reduce the rate. Both 12-bit and 14-bit RAW supportedUp to 5 fps Hi or 3 fps Lo; maker buffer claims 285 Standard JPEGs, 105 Fine JPEGs, 11 Extra Fine JPEGs, 12 RAW/cRAW or ten RAW/cRAW+JPEG frames; depends on memory card and shooting conditions
Stabilisation detailOptical VR depends on the attached lens; no sensor-shift stabilisationSteadyShot INSIDE sensor shift; Sony claims approximately 2.5–4 stops depending on lens and shooting conditions; excludes Minolta AF Macro Zoom 3X–1X F1.7–2.8
FlashNo built-in flash; hot shoe and PC sync terminal; compatible external Speedlights provide i-TTL and Creative Lighting System functionsNo built-in flash; proprietary Alpha flash shoe and PC sync terminal; ADI and pre-flash TTL with compatible external units. Wireless control requires an HVL-F58AM and another compatible flash.
Exposure controlsP/S/A/M; 1005-pixel RGB 3D Colour Matrix Metering II; ±5 EV compensation; Active D-LightingProgram, aperture priority, shutter priority, manual and Auto; no scene modes; 40-segment honeycomb, centre-weighted or spot metering; ±3 EV compensation in 1/2- or 1/3-stop steps; D-Range Optimizer, 13 Creative Styles, Quick Navi and three saved shooting setups
Video
Highest video resolution1280 × 720 at 24 fps–
Video detailMotion-JPEG AVI at 1280 × 720, 640 × 424 or 320 × 216, all 24 fps; maximum five minutes at 720p or 20 minutes at lower resolutions. Handheld live view uses phase-detection AF with mirror interruption; Tripod live view uses contrast-detection AF, including initiated movie autofocusStill-image DSLR without video recording or rear-screen live view; Intelligent Preview captures a temporary image for exposure, white balance and D-Range Optimizer simulation rather than a live feed
AudioBuilt-in mono microphone and stereo microphone input; voice memo recording and playback for still photographs–
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalOptical
Screen size3″3″
Screen dots921,000921,600
Tilting screenNo–
Display detailFixed TFT with 170° viewing angle and tempered-glass cover; dots count subpixels. Original US announcement and brochure specify approximately 921000 dots; Japan rounds to approximately 920000. Separate top and rear status panelsFixed 3.0-inch Xtra Fine LCD, 921,600 dots (640 × 480 RGB subpixels), with anti-reflection coating; separate small top status LCD
Viewfinder detailPentaprism; approximately 100% FX coverage, 97% in 1.2× and DX, and 100% vertical/97% horizontal in 5:4; 0.7× magnification with 50mm at infinity; 18 mm eyepoint; replaceable focusing screen and eyepiece shutterFixed eye-level pentaprism; approximately 100% coverage and 0.74× magnification with a 50 mm lens at infinity; built-in eyepiece shutter; user-replaceable G/L/M focusing screens; optical depth-of-field preview
Connections and design
Wi-FiNo–
Battery life (maker's claim)4200 photographs880 photographs
Body weight1240 g850 g
Release detailNikon's original US announcement specifies late November 2009 availability; Japan records 27 November. Main retains the monthSony Europe’s spokesperson told Photography Bay that main-market availability began at the end of September 2008; month precision retained. Regional maker announcements give October 2008 for Hong Kong and 23 October 2008 for Japan.
Recording mediaTwo CompactFlash Type I slots, including UDMA; overflow, backup, separate RAW/JPEG recording and card-to-card copying. Type II and Microdrive unsupportedSeparate CompactFlash Type I/II (UDMA Mode 5) and Memory Stick Duo/PRO Duo/PRO-HG Duo slots; Microdrive support; user selects recording medium, without simultaneous dual-card recording (PhotographyBlog)
PortsUSB 2.0 Hi-Speed, analogue NTSC/PAL output, mini-HDMI Type C, 3.5 mm microphone input, ten-pin accessory terminal and PC flash sync; optional GP-1 or MC-35 connects external GPS equipmentUSB 2.0 Hi-Speed; HDMI mini for still-image playback; NTSC/PAL video output; wired remote-release connector, flash sync and DC input; supplied software supports computer remote control
Wireless connectionsOptional WT-4 transmitter supplies network transfer; Wi-Fi is not built into the body–
Battery life detailEN-EL4a; approximately 4200 shots under CIPA conditions with AF-S NIKKOR 24–70mm f/2.8G ED and no live view. Separate Nikon continuous test claims approximately 4700 with AF-S VR 70–200mm f/2.8 ED; EN-EL4 also supportedNP-FM500H; Sony CIPA claim approximately 880 photographs per charge; optional VG-C90AM grip holds two batteries. PhotographyBlog achieved barely half the claim during its review use.
ChargingExternal MH-22 charger; optional EH-6 AC adapterSupplied BC-VM10 external charger; optional AC-VQ900AM adaptor/charger
DimensionsApproximately 159.5 × 157 × 87.5 mmApproximately 156.3 × 116.9 × 81.9 mm (width × height × depth), excluding protrusions
Weight detailApproximately 1240 g excluding battery, card, body cap and accessory-shoe coverApproximately 850 g without battery, memory card, lens or accessories; PhotographyBlog describes just under 930 g with battery, without providing a precise loaded figure
MaterialsMagnesium-alloy construction with dust and moisture seals; integrated vertical grip; not a waterproof ratingMagnesium-alloy front, rear and upper covers with aluminium internal chassis; seals reduce dust and moisture ingress. Sony explicitly says the camera is not waterproof or splash-proof.
Colours–Black
In the box–NP-FM500H battery, BC-VM10 charger and power cord, RMT-DSLR1 wireless remote, USB and video cables, shoulder strap, eyecup, remote clip, body and shoe caps, software CD

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