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Nikon D3X vs Sony Alpha DSLR-A850

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonD3XSonyAlpha DSLR-A850
Overview
ReleasedDecember 2008September 2009
Image and sensor
Camera typeDSLRDSLR
Sensor formatFull frameFull frame
Sensor typeCMOSExmor CMOS
Sensor dimensions35.9 × 24 mm35.9 × 24 mm
Effective resolution24.5 MP24.6 MP
Largest image6048 × 40326048 × 4032
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range100–1600200–3200
Sensor detail25.72 million total pixels; FX, DX and 5:4 image areas; maximum DX image 3968 × 2640 and 5:4 image 5056 × 4032. No automatic sensor-cleaning mechanism; Image Dust Off reference data can be used with optional Capture NX 2Approximately 25.7 million total photosites; anti-static coating on low-pass filter 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, compressed cRAW and RAW/cRAW+JPEG; Sony ARW 2.1; sRGB and Adobe RGB
ISO detailExpanded equivalents ISO 50–6400; Auto ISOStandard ISO 200–3200 in 1/3 EV steps; expanded ISO 100–6400
Image processorEXPEED image-processing system; Scene Recognition SystemBIONZ
Lens and shooting
Lens mountNikon F mountSony A
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationSensor shift
Maximum continuous burst5 fps3 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 unsupportedSony A-mount; Sony Alpha and Minolta/Konica Minolta AF lenses. DT APS-C lenses are not recommended for full-frame shooting because their image circle may affect metering
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, a central dual-cross sensor and ten assist points; EV 0–18 at ISO 100; AF-S, AF-A, AF-C, direct manual focus and manual focus; micro-adjustment for up to 30 lenses
Shutter1/8000 to 30 seconds and Bulb; flash sync 1/250 second; shutter tested to 300000 cyclesElectronically controlled vertical-traverse focal-plane shutter; 30 seconds to 1/8000 second and Bulb; sync 1/250 second with stabilisation off or 1/200 second with stabilisation on
Burst detailApproximately 5 fps at full FX resolution or in 5:4; up to 7 fps in the 10.5-megapixel DX crop. Recording 14-bit NEF RAW reduces the maximum to 1.8 fps in FX/5:4 or 2.6 fps in DX. Maker rates require continuous-servo AF, shutter-priority or manual exposure, at least 1/250 second and other specified default settingsFull-resolution continuous shooting up to approximately 3 fps; Sony claims 34 Extra Fine JPEGs, 16 RAW or 18 compressed RAW per burst; card and settings affect results
Stabilisation detailOptical VR depends on the attached lens; no sensor-shift stabilisationSensor-shift SteadyShot INSIDE; maker claims approximately 2.5–4 shutter-speed steps depending on lens and shooting conditions
FlashNo built-in flash; hot shoe and PC sync terminal; compatible external Speedlights provide i-TTL and Creative Lighting System functionsNo built-in flash; Sony Alpha system accessory shoe and separate flash sync terminal; ADI and pre-flash TTL control
Exposure controlsP/S/A/M; 1005-pixel RGB 3D Colour Matrix Metering II; ±5 EV compensation; Active D-LightingP/A/S/M and Auto; 40-segment honeycomb SPC metering; ±3 EV in 0.3/0.5 EV steps; Dynamic Range Optimizer and exposure bracketing; mirror lock-up
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalOptical
Screen size3″3″
Screen dots920,000921,600
Tilting screenNoNo
Display detailFixed TFT with 170° viewing angle; dots count subpixels; separate top and rear status panelsFixed Xtra Fine LCD; dots count colour subpixels; separate top status LCD
Viewfinder detailPentaprism; approximately 100% FX coverage, 97% DX coverage and 100% vertical/97% horizontal in 5:4; 0.7× magnification with 50mm at infinity; 18 mm eyepoint; replaceable focusing screen and eyepiece shutterEye-level pentaprism, approximately 98% coverage and 0.74× magnification with a 50 mm lens at infinity; supplied G screen, optional interchangeable L grid and M focusing screens
Connections and design
Wi-FiNo–
Battery life (maker's claim)4400 photographs880 photographs
Body weight1220 g850 g
Release detailNikon's original US announcement specifies December 2008 availability; Japan records 19 December. Main retains the monthSony Hong Kong's original announcement specifies September 2009 retail availability for the body; month precision retained
Recording mediaTwo CompactFlash Type I/II slots, including UDMA and Microdrive support; overflow, backup, separate RAW/JPEG recording and card-to-card copyingSeparate Memory Stick Duo/PRO Duo/PRO-HG Duo and CompactFlash Type I/II slots; UDMA Mode 5 and Microdrive support
PortsUSB 2.0 Hi-Speed, analogue NTSC/PAL output, full-size HDMI Type A, ten-pin accessory terminal and PC flash sync; optional GP-1 or MC-35 connects external GPS equipmentUSB 2.0 Hi-Speed and Mini HDMI; flash-sync terminal; PhotographyBlog also documents the wired remote-release terminal
Wireless connectionsOptional WT-4 transmitter supplies network transfer; Wi-Fi is not built into the body–
Battery life detailEN-EL4a; approximately 4400 shots under CIPA conditions with AF-S NIKKOR 24–70mm f/2.8G ED and no live view. Separate Nikon continuous test claims approximately 5300 with AF-S VR 70–200mm f/2.8 ED; EN-EL4 also supportedNP-FM500H; maker CIPA claim approximately 880 photographs; optional AC-PW10AM adapter or AC-VQ900AM adapter/charger
ChargingExternal MH-22 charger; optional MH-21 charger and EH-6 AC adapter–
DimensionsApproximately 159.5 × 157 × 87.5 mmApproximately 156.3 × 116.9 × 81.9 mm (width × height × depth, excluding protrusions)
Weight detailApproximately 1220 g excluding battery, card, body cap and accessory-shoe coverApproximately 850 g without battery, memory card or accessories
MaterialsMagnesium-alloy construction with dust and moisture seals; integrated vertical grip; not a waterproof rating–
Video
Video detailNo movie recording. Handheld live view uses phase-detection AF; Tripod live view uses contrast-detection AFNo movie recording (PhotographyBlog); Sony specifies no live view; HDMI supplies still-image playback rather than recorded Full HD movies
AudioVoice memo recording and playback for still photographs; not movie audio–

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