Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro vs Sony a500

This is a full comparison between the cameras Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro and Sony a500. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro is manufacturered by Fujifilm but Sony a500 is from Sony. Both Fujifilm and Sony are well known brands though.

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro has a "Fujifilm APS-C"-sensor while Sony a500 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:

Resolution

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro has a 6 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a500 has 12 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Sony a500 has a 0 % larger resolution than Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Sony a500 has a larger ISO-range than Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro. Sony a500 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 12800 while Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro has 100 to 1600.

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a500

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro can shoot up to 1,5 pictures per seconds and Sony a500 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

Though, neither Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro or Sony a500 can shoot movies so if that is a functionality that you are really looking for you should look elsewhere.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro weighs 930 gr (equal to 2.05 lb) which is 48% heavier than Sony a500 and its 630 gr (or 1.39 lb).

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro vs Sony a500 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro and Sony a500, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product	Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro	Sony a500
Name	Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro	Sony a500
Manufacturer	Fujifilm	Sony
Release Date and Price	Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro	Sony a500
Release Year	2004	2009
Release Date	2004-02-05	2009-08-27
MSRP	N/A	549 USD
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Camera Type	Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro	Sony a500
Camera Type	DSLR	DSLR
Sensor	Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro	Sony a500
Sensor Size	APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm)	APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor Type	CCD	CMOS
Resolution	4256 x 2848 pixels	4272 x 2848 pixels
Megapixels	6 MP	12 MP
Image Processor		Bionz
Image	Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro	Sony a500
ISO Range	100 - 1600	200 - 12800
White Balance Presets	7	6
Custom White Balance	Yes	Yes
Image Stabilization	No	Yes (Sensor-Shift)
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating	0 stops	0 stops
Uncompressed format	RAW	RAW
Optics & Focus	Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro	Sony a500
Autofocus Motor	Yes	Yes
Autofocus	Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous	Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView
Focus Points	N/A	9
Lens Mount	Nikon F See Compatible Lenses	Sony A See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier	APS-C Sensor (1.5x) 1.5x multiplier Example: 24 mm becomes 36 mm 50 mm becomes 75 mm 100 mm becomes 150 mm 200 mm becomes 300 mm	APS-C Sensor (1.5x) 1.5x multiplier Example: 24 mm becomes 36 mm 50 mm becomes 75 mm 100 mm becomes 150 mm 200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder	Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro	Sony a500
Articulated LCD	N/A	Tilting
Screen size	2”	3”
Screen dots	235000	230000
Touch screen	No	No
Screen type	N/A	N/A
Live view	No	Yes
Viewfinder Type	Optical (pentaprism)	Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage	94%	95%
Viewfinder Magnification		0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution	N/A	N/A
Photography features	Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro	Sony a500
Frames per second	1,5 fps	5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed	30 seconds	30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed	1/4000 seconds	1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash	Yes	Yes
Built-in Flash Range	15 meters	12 meters
External Flash	Yes	Yes
Self-Timer	Yes	Yes
Time-lapse	Yes	No
Metering modes		Multi Center Weighted Spot
Exposure Compensation	N/A	+/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features	Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro	Sony a500
Video recording	No	No
Video format	N/A	N/A
Video resolution	N/A	N/A
Built-in Microphone	No	No
Built-in Speakers	No	No
Storage	Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro	Sony a500
Memory Card	Compact Flash	Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC
Connectivity	Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro	Sony a500
HDMI Output	No	Yes
Microphone Port	No	No
Headphone Port	No	No
Wireless	No	No
Remote Control	Yes (Optional)	Yes (Wired or wirelss (Optional))
GPS	No	No
Body & Dimensions	Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro	Sony a500
Enviromentally sealed	Yes	No
Battery	Battery Pack	Battery Pack
Battery Details		Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)	N/A	520 shots
Width	148 mm	137 mm
Height	135 mm	104 mm
Depth	80 mm	84 mm
Weight	930 gram	630 gram