Sony a290 vs Nikon D3s
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a290 and Nikon D3s. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony a290 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D3s is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.
Sony a290 were released 2010 and Nikon D3s was released 2009. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony a290 | 2010 |
Nikon D3s | 2009 |
Type of camera
Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.
Sensors / crop factor
These cameras have different sensors. Sony a290 has a "Sony APS-C"-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 ** |
Sony a290 | 75 mm Sony APS-C 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 (Sony)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)
Resolution
Sony a290 has a 14 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 |
Sony a290 |
14 MP
14033152 pixels 4592 x 3056 |
Nikon D3s |
12,1 MP
12052992 pixels 4256 x 2832 |
Sony a290 has a 16 % 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 Sony a290. Nikon D3s has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 102400 while Sony a290 has 100 to 3200.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a290 | 100-3200 |
Nikon D3s | 200-102400 |
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 Sony a290
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. Sony a290 can shoot up to 2,5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D3s can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a290 | 2,5 |
Nikon D3s | 11 |
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 Nikon D3s. Sadly, the Sony a290 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.
Nikon D3s weighs 1240 gr (equal to 2.73 lb) which is 126% heavier than Sony a290 and its 549 gr (or 1.21 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a290 | 549 gr 1.21 lb |
Nikon D3s | 1240 gr 2.73 lb |
Sony a290 vs Nikon D3s Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a290 and Nikon D3s, 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 |
Sony a290 |
Nikon D3s |
Name | Sony a290 | Nikon D3s |
Manufacturer | Sony | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a290 |
Nikon D3s |
Release Year | 2010 | 2009 |
Release Date | 2010-06-09 | 2009-10-14 |
MSRP | 499 USD | 5199 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony a290 |
Nikon D3s |
Camera Type | DSLR | DSLR |
Sensor |
Sony a290 |
Nikon D3s |
Sensor Size | APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) |
Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm) Also known as "FX" |
Sensor Type | CCD | CMOS |
Resolution | 4592 x 3056 pixels | 4256 x 2832 pixels |
Megapixels | 14 MP | 12,1 MP |
Image Processor | Bionz | EXPEED |
Image |
Sony a290 |
Nikon D3s |
ISO Range | 100 - 3200 | 200 - 102400 |
White Balance Presets | 6 | 12 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization |
Yes (Sensor-Shift) |
No |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 0 stops | 0 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW + TIFF |
Optics & Focus |
Sony a290 |
Nikon D3s |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | Yes |
Autofocus |
Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous LiveView |
Focus Points | 9 | 51 |
Lens Mount |
Sony A See Compatible Lenses |
Nikon F 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 |
FX (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 |
Sony a290 |
Nikon D3s |
Articulated LCD | Fixed | Fixed |
Screen size | 2.7” | 3” |
Screen dots | 230400 | 921000 |
Touch screen | No | No |
Screen type | N/A | Low-temperature polysilicon TFT color LCD |
Live view | No | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 95% | 100% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.83× (0.55× 35mm equiv.) | 0.7× |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | N/A |
Photography features |
Sony a290 |
Nikon D3s |
Frames per second | 2,5 fps | 11 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 | 10 meters | N/A |
External Flash | Yes | Yes |
Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
Time-lapse | No | Yes |
Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony a290 |
Nikon D3s |
Video recording | No | Yes |
Video format | N/A |
Motion JPEG MPEG4 H.264 |
Video resolution | N/A |
1280 x 720 |
Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
Built-in Speakers | No | No |
Storage |
Sony a290 |
Nikon D3s |
Memory Card |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
Compact Flash |
Connectivity |
Sony a290 |
Nikon D3s |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | No | No |
Headphone Port | No | No |
Wireless | No |
Yes Optional |
Remote Control | Yes (Optional) | Yes |
GPS | No |
Yes Optional with GP-1 |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a290 |
Nikon D3s |
Enviromentally sealed | No | Yes |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
Lithium-Ion NP-FH50 rechargeable battery & charger
|
Lithium-Ion EN-EL4a rechargeable battery & charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 290 shots | 4200 shots |
Width | 128 mm | 160 mm |
Height | 97 mm | 157 mm |
Depth | 86 mm | 88 mm |
Weight | 549 gram | 1240 gram |