Sony a77 vs Nikon D3x

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a77 and Nikon D3x. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a77 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D3x is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a77 were released 2011 and Nikon D3x was released 2008. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a77 2011
Nikon D3x 2008

Type of camera

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a77 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D3x 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 a77 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon D3x 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 a77 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D3x has 24,5 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a77 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000
Nikon D3x 24,5 MP
24385536 pixels
6048 x 4032

Nikon D3x has a 2 % larger resolution than Sony a77. 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

Sony a77 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D3x. Sony a77 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 16000 while Nikon D3x has 100 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a77 100-16000
Nikon D3x 100-6400

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 a77
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3x

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a77 can shoot up to 12 pictures per seconds and Nikon D3x can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a77 12
Nikon D3x 5

Ability to record movies

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

When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Sony a77. Unfortunately Nikon D3x does not support recording movies and movie clips.

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 D3x weighs 1260 gr (equal to 2.78 lb) which is 72% heavier than Sony a77 and its 732 gr (or 1.61 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a77 732 gr
1.61 lb
Nikon D3x 1260 gr
2.78 lb

Sony a77 vs Nikon D3x Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a77 and Nikon D3x, 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 a77
Nikon D3x
Name Sony a77 Nikon D3x
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a77
Nikon D3x
Release Year 2011 2008
Release Date 2011-08-24 2008-12-01
MSRP 1399 USD 7470 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a77
Nikon D3x
Camera Type SLT DSLR
Sensor
Sony a77
Nikon D3x
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 6000 x 4000 pixels 6048 x 4032 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 24,5 MP
Image Processor Bionz EXPEED
Image
Sony a77
Nikon D3x
ISO Range 100 - 16000 100 - 6400
White Balance Presets 8 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 a77
Nikon D3x
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 19 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 a77
Nikon D3x
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 921000 920000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 1.1× (0.73× 35mm equiv.) 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a77
Nikon D3x
Frames per second 12 fps 5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 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 +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a77
Nikon D3x
Video recording Yes No
Video format MPEG4
H.264
AVCHD
N/A
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Sony a77
Nikon D3x
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Sony a77
Nikon D3x
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
No
Remote Control Yes (Optional) Yes
GPS Yes
Built-in
Yes
Optional through GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Sony a77
Nikon D3x
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Rechargeable NP-FM500H battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL4a rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 470 shots 4400 shots
Width 143 mm 160 mm
Height 104 mm 157 mm
Depth 81 mm 88 mm
Weight 732 gram 1260 gram