Sony a850 vs Nikon D3s

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a850 and Nikon D3s. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Sony a850

Nikon D3s

Manufacturing

Sony a850 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 a850	2009
Nikon D3s	2009

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

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 a850	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 a850 has a 25 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 a850	25 MP 24385536 pixels 6048 x 4032
Nikon D3s	12,1 MP 12052992 pixels 4256 x 2832

Sony a850 has a 102 % 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 a850. Nikon D3s has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 102400 while Sony a850 has 200 to 3200.

Camera	ISO Range
Sony a850	200-3200
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 a850
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 a850 can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds and Nikon D3s can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds.

Camera	FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a850	3
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 a850 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 39% heavier than Sony a850 and its 895 gr (or 1.97 lb).

Camera	Weight
Sony a850	895 gr 1.97 lb
Nikon D3s	1240 gr 2.73 lb