Sony a7 vs Nikon D3s

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a7 and Nikon D3s. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a7 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D3s is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a7 were released 2013 and Nikon D3s was released 2009. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a7 2013
Nikon D3s 2009

Type of camera

Sony a7 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D3s is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

Even though the camera sensors might be called differently they are both considered Full frame which means that the focal length of the lenses is not affected. There is no crop factor on any of these cameras and sensors.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a7 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
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 a7 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
Sony a7 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000
Nikon D3s 12,1 MP
12052992 pixels
4256 x 2832

Sony a7 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 Sony a7. Nikon D3s has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 102400 while Sony a7 has 100 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a7 100-25600
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 a7
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 a7 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 a7 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 Sony a7 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 162% heavier than Sony a7 and its 474 gr (or 1.04 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a7 474 gr
1.04 lb
Nikon D3s 1240 gr
2.73 lb

Sony a7 vs Nikon D3s Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a7 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 a7
Nikon D3s
Name Sony a7 Nikon D3s
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a7
Nikon D3s
Release Year 2013 2009
Release Date 2013-10-16 2009-10-14
MSRP 1699 USD 5199 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a7
Nikon D3s
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Sony a7
Nikon D3s
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 4256 x 2832 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 12,1 MP
Image Processor Bionz X EXPEED
Image
Sony a7
Nikon D3s
ISO Range 100 - 25600 200 - 102400
White Balance Presets 10 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW + TIFF
Optics & Focus
Sony a7
Nikon D3s
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
LiveView
Focus Points 117 51
Lens Mount Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier 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
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 a7
Nikon D3s
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 1230000 921000
Touch screen No No
Screen type Xtra Fine LCD Low-temperature polysilicon TFT color LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.71× 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a7
Nikon D3s
Frames per second 5 fps 11 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash No No
Built-in Flash Range N/A 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 +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a7
Nikon D3s
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
AVCHD
Motion JPEG
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Sony a7
Nikon D3s
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Sony a7
Nikon D3s
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Built-In ( with NFC and wireless control via PlayMemories Mobile app)
Yes
Optional
Remote Control Yes (wired) Yes
GPS No Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Sony a7
Nikon D3s
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL4a rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 340 shots 4200 shots
Width 127 mm 160 mm
Height 94 mm 157 mm
Depth 48 mm 88 mm
Weight 474 gram 1240 gram