Sony a99 II vs Nikon D3x
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a99 II and Nikon D3x. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony a99 II is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D3x is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.
Sony a99 II were released 2016 and Nikon D3x was released 2008. That is a 8 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony a99 II | 2016 |
Nikon D3x | 2008 |
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 II | 50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier |
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 a99 II has a 42 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 a99 II |
42 MP
42177408 pixels 7952 x 5304 |
Nikon D3x |
24,5 MP
24385536 pixels 6048 x 4032 |
Sony a99 II has a 73 % larger resolution than Nikon D3x. 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 a99 II has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D3x. Sony a99 II has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Nikon D3x has 100 to 6400.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a99 II | 100-25600 |
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 a99 II
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 a99 II 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 a99 II | 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 a99 II. 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 48% heavier than Sony a99 II and its 849 gr (or 1.87 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a99 II | 849 gr 1.87 lb |
Nikon D3x | 1260 gr 2.78 lb |
Sony a99 II vs Nikon D3x Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a99 II 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 a99 II |
Nikon D3x |
Name | Sony a99 II | Nikon D3x |
Manufacturer | Sony | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a99 II |
Nikon D3x |
Release Year | 2016 | 2008 |
Release Date | 2016-09-19 | 2008-12-01 |
MSRP | 3199 USD | 7470 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony a99 II |
Nikon D3x |
Camera Type | SLT | DSLR |
Sensor |
Sony a99 II |
Nikon D3x |
Sensor Size | Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) |
Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm) Also known as "FX" |
Sensor Type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
Resolution | 7952 x 5304 pixels | 6048 x 4032 pixels |
Megapixels | 42 MP | 24,5 MP |
Image Processor | Bionz X | EXPEED |
Image |
Sony a99 II |
Nikon D3x |
ISO Range | 100 - 25600 | 100 - 6400 |
White Balance Presets | 10 | 12 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization |
Yes (Sensor-Shift (5-axis for stills and video)) |
No |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 0 stops | 0 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW + TIFF |
Optics & Focus |
Sony a99 II |
Nikon D3x |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | Yes |
Autofocus |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous LiveView |
Focus Points | 399 | 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 II |
Nikon D3x |
Articulated LCD | Tilting | Fixed |
Screen size | 3” | 3” |
Screen dots | 1228800 | 920000 |
Touch screen | No | No |
Screen type | WhiteMagic TFT LCD | Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle |
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 a99 II |
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 | 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 Highlight 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 II |
Nikon D3x |
Video recording | Yes | No |
Video format |
MPEG4 XAVC-S AVCHD |
N/A |
Video resolution |
1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160 |
N/A |
Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
Built-in Speakers | Yes | No |
Storage |
Sony a99 II |
Nikon D3x |
Memory Card |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
Compact Flash |
Connectivity |
Sony a99 II |
Nikon D3x |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | Yes | No |
Headphone Port | Yes | No |
Wireless |
Yes Built-in (802.11/b/g/n with NFC) |
No |
Remote Control | Yes (wired, wireless, or smartphone) | Yes |
GPS | No |
Yes Optional through GP-1 |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a99 II |
Nikon D3x |
Enviromentally sealed | Yes | Yes |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
NP-FM500H lithium-ion battery & charger
|
Lithium-Ion EN-EL4a rechargeable battery & charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 490 shots | 4400 shots |
Width | 143 mm | 160 mm |
Height | 104 mm | 157 mm |
Depth | 76 mm | 88 mm |
Weight | 849 gram | 1260 gram |