Sony a7S II vs Nikon D3

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a7S II and Nikon D3. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a7S II is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D3 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a7S II were released 2015 and Nikon D3 was released 2007. That is a 8 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a7S II 2015
Nikon D3 2007

Type of camera

Sony a7S II is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D3 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 a7S II 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon D3 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 a7S II has a 12 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:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a7S II 12 MP
12007680 pixels
4240 x 2832
Nikon D3 12,1 MP
12052992 pixels
4256 x 2832

Nikon D3 has a 0 % larger resolution than Sony a7S II. 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 a7S II has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D3. Sony a7S II has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 102400 while Nikon D3 has 200 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a7S II 100-102400
Nikon D3 200-25600

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 a7S II
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 a7S II can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D3 can shoot up to 9 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a7S II 5
Nikon D3 9

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 a7S II. Unfortunately Nikon D3 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 D3 weighs 1300 gr (equal to 2.87 lb) which is 107% heavier than Sony a7S II and its 627 gr (or 1.38 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a7S II 627 gr
1.38 lb
Nikon D3 1300 gr
2.87 lb

Sony a7S II vs Nikon D3 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a7S II 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 a7S II
Nikon D3
Name Sony a7S II Nikon D3
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a7S II
Nikon D3
Release Year 2015 2007
Release Date 2015-09-11 2007-08-23
MSRP 2999 USD 4999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a7S II
Nikon D3
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Sony a7S II
Nikon D3
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 4240 x 2832 pixels 4256 x 2832 pixels
Megapixels 12 MP 12,1 MP
Image Processor Bionz X EXPEED
Image
Sony a7S II
Nikon D3
ISO Range 100 - 102400 200 - 25600
White Balance Presets 10 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift (5 axis))
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a7S II
Nikon D3
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
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 169 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 a7S II
Nikon D3
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 1228800 922000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT-LCD N/A
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.78x 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a7S II
Nikon D3
Frames per second 5 fps 9 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 steps)
Videography features
Sony a7S II
Nikon D3
Video recording Yes No
Video format MPEG4
XAVC-S
AVCHD
N/A
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Sony a7S II
Nikon D3
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Sony a7S II
Nikon D3
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n with NFC)
No
Remote Control Yes (wired or smartphone) Yes
GPS No Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Sony a7S II
Nikon D3
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and charger
EN-EL4a rechargeable Li-ion battery
Battery Life (CIPA) 370 shots 4300 shots
Width 127 mm 160 mm
Height 96 mm 157 mm
Depth 60 mm 88 mm
Weight 627 gram 1300 gram