Sony a99 vs Nikon D3s

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a99 and Nikon D3s. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a99 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D3s is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a99 were released 2012 and Nikon D3s was released 2009. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a99 2012
Nikon D3s 2009

Type of camera

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 a99 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 a99 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 a99 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000
Nikon D3s 12,1 MP
12052992 pixels
4256 x 2832

Sony a99 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 a99. Nikon D3s has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 102400 while Sony a99 has 100 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a99 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 a99
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 a99 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds and Nikon D3s can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a99 6
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 a99 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 53% heavier than Sony a99 and its 812 gr (or 1.79 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a99 812 gr
1.79 lb
Nikon D3s 1240 gr
2.73 lb

Sony a99 vs Nikon D3s Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a99 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 a99
Nikon D3s
Name Sony a99 Nikon D3s
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a99
Nikon D3s
Release Year 2012 2009
Release Date 2012-09-12 2009-10-14
MSRP 2799 USD 5199 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a99
Nikon D3s
Camera Type SLT DSLR
Sensor
Sony a99
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 EXPEED
Image
Sony a99
Nikon D3s
ISO Range 100 - 25600 200 - 102400
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 a99
Nikon D3s
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
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 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 a99
Nikon D3s
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 1229000 921000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT Xtra Fine color 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 a99
Nikon D3s
Frames per second 6 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 a99
Nikon D3s
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
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 a99
Nikon D3s
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Sony a99
Nikon D3s
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No Yes
Optional
Remote Control Yes (Wired or Wireless (Optional)) Yes
GPS Yes
Built-in
Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Sony a99
Nikon D3s
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL4a rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 500 shots 4200 shots
Width 147 mm 160 mm
Height 111 mm 157 mm
Depth 78 mm 88 mm
Weight 812 gram 1240 gram