Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro vs Sony a57

This is a full comparison between the cameras Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro and Sony a57. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro is manufacturered by Fujifilm but Sony a57 is from Sony. Both Fujifilm and Sony are well known brands though.

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro were released 2004 and Sony a57 was released 2012. That is a 8 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro 2004
Sony a57 2012

Type of camera

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro has a "Fujifilm APS-C"-sensor while Sony a57 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.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro 75 mm
Fujifilm sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Sony a57 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** 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 a57 has 16 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro 6 MP
12121088 pixels
4256 x 2848
Sony a57 16 MP
16032768 pixels
4912 x 3264

Sony a57 has a 32 % 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 a57 has a larger ISO-range than Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro. Sony a57 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 16000 while Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro has 100 to 1600.

Camera ISO Range
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro 100-1600
Sony a57 100-16000

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 a57

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 a57 can shoot up to 12 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro 1,5
Sony a57 12

Ability to record movies

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

It is only one of these two cameras that support recording movies and movie clips and that is Sony a57. Sadly, the Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro does not support this.

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 50% heavier than Sony a57 and its 618 gr (or 1.36 lb).

Camera Weight
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro 930 gr
2.05 lb
Sony a57 618 gr
1.36 lb

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro vs Sony a57 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro and Sony a57, 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 a57
Name Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro Sony a57
Manufacturer Fujifilm Sony
Release Date and Price
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Sony a57
Release Year 2004 2012
Release Date 2004-02-05 2012-03-13
MSRP N/A 699 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Sony a57
Camera Type DSLR SLT
Sensor
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Sony a57
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 4912 x 3264 pixels
Megapixels 6 MP 16 MP
Image Processor Bionz
Image
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Sony a57
ISO Range 100 - 1600 100 - 16000
White Balance Presets 7 9
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 a57
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points N/A 15
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 a57
Articulated LCD N/A Fully articulated
Screen size 2” 3”
Screen dots 235000 921000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology
Live view No Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 94% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 1.04× (0.69× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Sony a57
Frames per second 1,5 fps 12 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 10 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation N/A +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Sony a57
Video recording No Yes
Video format N/A MPEG4
H.264
AVCHD
Video resolution N/A 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone No Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Sony a57
Memory Card Compact Flash
Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Sony a57
HDMI Output No Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (Optional) Yes (Optional)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Sony a57
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Rechargeable NP-FM500H battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) N/A 550 shots
Width 148 mm 132 mm
Height 135 mm 98 mm
Depth 80 mm 81 mm
Weight 930 gram 618 gram