Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro vs Sony a850

This is a full comparison between the cameras Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro and Sony a850. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro is manufacturered by Fujifilm but Sony a850 is from Sony. Both Fujifilm and Sony are well known brands though.

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro were released 2004 and Sony a850 was released 2009. That is a 5 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro 2004
Sony a850 2009

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 a850 has a "Sony Full Frame"-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 a850 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** 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 a850 has 25 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 a850 25 MP
24385536 pixels
6048 x 4032

Sony a850 has a 101 % 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 a850 has a larger ISO-range than Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro. Sony a850 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 3200 while Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro has 100 to 1600.

Camera ISO Range
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro 100-1600
Sony a850 200-3200

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 a850

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 a850 can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro 1,5
Sony a850 3

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 a850 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 4% heavier than Sony a850 and its 895 gr (or 1.97 lb).

Camera Weight
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro 930 gr
2.05 lb
Sony a850 895 gr
1.97 lb

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro vs Sony a850 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro and Sony a850, 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 a850
Name Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro Sony a850
Manufacturer Fujifilm Sony
Release Date and Price
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Sony a850
Release Year 2004 2009
Release Date 2004-02-05 2009-08-27
MSRP N/A 1999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Sony a850
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Sony a850
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)
Sensor Type CCD CMOS
Resolution 4256 x 2848 pixels 6048 x 4032 pixels
Megapixels 6 MP 25 MP
Image Processor Bionz
Image
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Sony a850
ISO Range 100 - 1600 200 - 3200
White Balance Presets 7 7
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 a850
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
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
Full frame
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Sony a850
Articulated LCD N/A Fixed
Screen size 2” 3”
Screen dots 235000 921600
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Live view No No
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 94% 98%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.74×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Sony a850
Frames per second 1,5 fps 3 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 15 meters N/A
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 a850
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 a850
Memory Card Compact Flash
Compact Flash
Memory Stick Pro Duo
Connectivity
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Sony a850
HDMI Output No Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No No
Remote Control Yes (Optional) Yes (Wired or Wireless (Optional))
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Sony a850
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) N/A 880 shots
Width 148 mm 156 mm
Height 135 mm 117 mm
Depth 80 mm 82 mm
Weight 930 gram 895 gram