Sony a500 vs Nikon D3s

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a500 and Nikon D3s. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a500 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D3s is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

These two camera models were both released 2009.

Camera Released
Sony a500 2009
Nikon D3s 2009

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a500 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 a500 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 a500 has a 12 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 a500 12 MP
12166656 pixels
4272 x 2848
Nikon D3s 12,1 MP
12052992 pixels
4256 x 2832

Sony a500 has a 1 % 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 a500. Nikon D3s has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 102400 while Sony a500 has 200 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a500 200-12800
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 a500
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 a500 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D3s can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a500 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 a500 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 97% heavier than Sony a500 and its 630 gr (or 1.39 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a500 630 gr
1.39 lb
Nikon D3s 1240 gr
2.73 lb

Sony a500 vs Nikon D3s Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a500 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 a500
Nikon D3s
Name Sony a500 Nikon D3s
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a500
Nikon D3s
Release Year 2009 2009
Release Date 2009-08-27 2009-10-14
MSRP 549 USD 5199 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a500
Nikon D3s
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Sony a500
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 CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4272 x 2848 pixels 4256 x 2832 pixels
Megapixels 12 MP 12,1 MP
Image Processor Bionz EXPEED
Image
Sony a500
Nikon D3s
ISO Range 200 - 12800 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 a500
Nikon D3s
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
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 a500
Nikon D3s
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 230000 921000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A Low-temperature polysilicon TFT color LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.) 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a500
Nikon D3s
Frames per second 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 12 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 a500
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 a500
Nikon D3s
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Sony a500
Nikon D3s
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No Yes
Optional
Remote Control Yes (Wired or wirelss (Optional)) Yes
GPS No Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Sony a500
Nikon D3s
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL4a rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 520 shots 4200 shots
Width 137 mm 160 mm
Height 104 mm 157 mm
Depth 84 mm 88 mm
Weight 630 gram 1240 gram