Nikon D5500 vs Nikon D3s

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D5500 and Nikon D3s. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Nikon D5500

Nikon D3s

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon D5500 were released 2015 and Nikon D3s was released 2009. That is a 6 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera	Released
Nikon D5500	2015
Nikon D3s	2009

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D5500 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor while Nikon D3s has a "Nikon FX"-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 **
Nikon D5500	75 mm Nikon DX sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon D3s	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:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Nikon D5500 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D3s has 12,1 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera	Megapixels
Nikon D5500	24 MP 24000000 pixels 6000 x 4000
Nikon D3s	12,1 MP 12052992 pixels 4256 x 2832

Nikon D5500 has a 99 % larger resolution than Nikon D3s. 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

Nikon D3s has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D5500. Nikon D3s has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 102400 while Nikon D5500 has 100 to 25600.

Camera	ISO Range
Nikon D5500	100-25600
Nikon D3s	200-102400

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Nikon D3s has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D5500 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D5500 there is a need for having an autofocus motor inside the lens. We really encourage you to look closely at our lens compatibility charts at the links below.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D5500
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3s

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D5500 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D3s can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds.

Camera	FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D5500	5
Nikon D3s	11

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon D5500 and Nikon D3s can shoot movies.

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.

Nikon D3s weighs 1240 gr (equal to 2.73 lb) which is 195% heavier than Nikon D5500 and its 420 gr (or 0.93 lb).

Camera	Weight
Nikon D5500	420 gr 0.93 lb
Nikon D3s	1240 gr 2.73 lb