Sony a550 vs Nikon D3

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a550 and Nikon D3. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a550 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D3 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a550 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D3 has a "Nikon FX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

** 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 a550 has a 14 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D3 has 12,1 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Sony a550 has a 16 % larger resolution than Nikon D3. 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 D3 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a550. Nikon D3 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 25600 while Sony a550 has 200 to 12800.

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 a550
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a550 can shoot up to 7 pictures per seconds and Nikon D3 can shoot up to 9 pictures per seconds.

Ability to record movies

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

Though, neither Sony a550 or Nikon D3 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.

Nikon D3 weighs 1300 gr (equal to 2.87 lb) which is 106% heavier than Sony a550 and its 632 gr (or 1.39 lb).

Sony a550 vs Nikon D3 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a550 and Nikon D3, 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 a550	Nikon D3
Name	Sony a550	Nikon D3
Manufacturer	Sony	Nikon
Release Date and Price	Sony a550	Nikon D3
Release Year	2009	2007
Release Date	2009-08-27	2007-08-23
MSRP	949 USD	4999 USD
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Camera Type	Sony a550	Nikon D3
Camera Type	DSLR	DSLR
Sensor	Sony a550	Nikon D3
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	4592 x 3056 pixels	4256 x 2832 pixels
Megapixels	14 MP	12,1 MP
Image Processor	Bionz	EXPEED
Image	Sony a550	Nikon D3
ISO Range	200 - 12800	200 - 25600
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
Optics & Focus	Sony a550	Nikon D3
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 a550	Nikon D3
Articulated LCD	Tilting	Fixed
Screen size	3”	3”
Screen dots	921600	922000
Touch screen	No	No
Screen type	N/A	N/A
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 a550	Nikon D3
Frames per second	7 fps	9 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 steps)
Videography features	Sony a550	Nikon D3
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	Sony a550	Nikon D3
Memory Card	Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC	Compact Flash
Connectivity	Sony a550	Nikon D3
HDMI Output	Yes	Yes
Microphone Port	No	No
Headphone Port	No	No
Wireless	No	No
Remote Control	Yes (Wired or Wireless (Optional))	Yes
GPS	No	Yes Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions	Sony a550	Nikon D3
Enviromentally sealed	No	Yes
Battery	Battery Pack	Battery Pack
Battery Details	Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger	EN-EL4a rechargeable Li-ion battery
Battery Life (CIPA)	480 shots	4300 shots
Width	137 mm	160 mm
Height	104 mm	157 mm
Depth	84 mm	88 mm
Weight	632 gram	1300 gram