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Nikon D3S vs Sony A58

The Nikon D3S and the Sony Alpha SLT-A58 are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in October 2009 and February 2013. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are based on a full frame (D3S) and an APS-C (A58) sensor. The Nikon has a resolution of 12.1 megapixels, whereas the Sony provides 19.8 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Nikon D3S
versus
Sony A58
Nikon D3S   Sony A58
Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
Nikon F mount lenses Sony A mount lenses
12.1 MP – Full Frame sensor 19.8 MP – APS-C sensor
720/24p Video 1080/60i Video
ISO 200-12,800 (100 - 102,400) ISO 100-16,000 (100 - 25,600)
Optical viewfinder Electronic viewfinder (1440k dots)
3.0" LCD – 921k dots 2.7" LCD – 460k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Tilting screen (no touchscreen)
11 shutter flaps per second 5 shutter flaps per second
Lens stabilization onlyIn-body stabilization
Weathersealed bodynot weather sealed
4200 shots per battery charge690 shots per battery charge
160 x 157 x 88 mm, 1240 g 129 x 95 x 78 mm, 492 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Nikon D3S and the Sony Alpha SLT-A58? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Nikon D3S and the Sony A58 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Nikon D3S vs Sony A58
Compare D3S versus A58 top
Comparison D3S or A58 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony A58 is considerably smaller (51 percent) than the Nikon D3S. Moreover, the A58 is substantially lighter (60 percent) than the D3S. It is worth mentioning in this context that the D3S is splash and dust resistant, while the A58 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.

Concerning battery life, the D3S gets 4200 shots out of its Nikon EN-EL4a battery, while the A58 can take 690 images on a single charge of its Sony NP-FM500H power pack. As can be seen in the images above, the D3S has a battery grip built in. This facilitates image-taking in portrait orientation and gives it additional battery power. In order to provide similar functionality for the A58, there are third party battery grips available as optional accessories (see here on ebay).

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

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Body Specifications
  empty Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon D3S 160 mm 157 mm 88 mm 1240 g 4200 Y Oct 2009 US$ 5 199ebay.com
2.
 
Sony A58 129 mm 95 mm 78 mm 492 g 690 n Feb 2013 US$ 599ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 1D Mark III 156 mm 157 mm 80 mm 1155 g 2200 Y Feb 2007 US$ 4 499ebay.com
4.
 
Canon 1D Mark IV 156 mm 157 mm 80 mm 1230 g 1500 Y Oct 2009 US$ 4 999ebay.com
5.
 
Nikon D2Xs 158 mm 150 mm 86 mm 1252 g 3800 Y Jun 2006 US$ 4 699ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon D3 160 mm 157 mm 88 mm 1300 g 4300 Y Aug 2007 US$ 4 999ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon D3X 160 mm 157 mm 88 mm 1260 g 4400 Y Dec 2008 US$ 7 999ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D4 160 mm 157 mm 91 mm 1340 g 2600 Y Jan 2012 US$ 5 999ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D4S 160 mm 157 mm 91 mm 1350 g 3020 Y Feb 2014 US$ 6 499ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D5 160 mm 159 mm 92 mm 1415 g 3780 Y Jan 2016 US$ 6 499ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D300S 147 mm 115 mm 81 mm 938 g 950 Y Jul 2009 US$ 1 799ebay.com
12.
 
Nikon D700 147 mm 123 mm 77 mm 1074 g 1000 Y Jul 2008 US$ 2 999ebay.com
13.
 
Nikon D3300 124 mm 98 mm 76 mm 430 g 700 n Jan 2014 US$ 499ebay.com
14.
 
Sony A7 II 127 mm 96 mm 60 mm 599 g 350 Y Nov 2014 US$ 1 999ebay.com
15.
 
Sony A68 143 mm 104 mm 81 mm 610 g 540 n Nov 2015 US$ 699ebay.com
16.
 
Sony A6000 120 mm 67 mm 45 mm 344 g 360 n Feb 2014 US$ 599ebay.com
17.
 
Sony RX100 102 mm 58 mm 36 mm 240 g 330 n Jun 2012 US$ 649ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The A58 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 88 percent) than the D3S, which puts it into a different market segment. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Nikon D3S features a full frame sensor and the Sony A58 an APS-C sensor. The sensor area in the A58 is 57 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.0 and 1.5. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Nikon D3S and Sony A58 sensor measures

Despite having a smaller sensor, the A58 offers a higher resolution of 19.8 megapixels, compared with 12.1 MP of the D3S. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 4.31μm versus 8.43μm for the D3S). However, it should be noted that the A58 is much more recent (by 3 years and 4 months) than the D3S, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently.

The resolution advantage of the Sony A58 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the A58 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 27.3 x 18.2 inches or 69.3 x 46.1 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 21.8 x 14.5 inches or 55.4 x 36.9 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 18.2 x 12.1 inches or 46.2 x 30.8 cm. The corresponding values for the Nikon D3S are 21.3 x 14.2 inches or 54.1 x 36 cm for good quality, 17 x 11.3 inches or 43.2 x 28.8 cm for very good quality, and 14.2 x 9.4 inches or 36 x 24 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Nikon D3S has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 12800, which can be extended to ISO 100-102400. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Alpha SLT-A58 are ISO 100 to ISO 16000, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-25600.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

D3S versus A58 MP

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). Of the two cameras under review, the D3S has a notably higher overall DXO score than the A58 (overall score 8 points higher), which gives it an advantage in terms of imaging quality. This advantage is based on 0.2 bits higher color depth, 0.5 EV of lower dynamic range, and 2.1 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

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Sensor Characteristics
  empty Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Nikon D3S Full Frame 12.1 4256 2832720/24p23.512.0325382
2.
 
Sony A58 APS-C 19.8 5456 36321080/60i23.312.575374
3.
 
Canon 1D Mark III APS-H 10.1 3888 2592none22.711.7107871
4.
 
Canon 1D Mark IV APS-H 16.0 4896 32641080/30p22.812.0132074
5.
 
Nikon D2Xs APS-C 12.2 4288 2848none22.210.948959
6.
 
Nikon D3 Full Frame 12.1 4256 2832none23.512.2229081
7.
 
Nikon D3X Full Frame 24.4 6048 4032none24.713.7199288
8.
 
Nikon D4 Full Frame 16.2 4928 32801080/30p24.713.1296589
9.
 
Nikon D4S Full Frame 16.2 4928 32801080/60p24.413.3307489
10.
 
Nikon D5 Full Frame 20.7 5588 37124K/30p25.112.3234388
11.
 
Nikon D300S APS-C 12.2 4288 2848720/24p22.512.278770
12.
 
Nikon D700 Full Frame 12.1 4256 2832none23.512.2230380
13.
 
Nikon D3300 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.312.8138582
14.
 
Sony A7 II Full Frame 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.913.6244990
15.
 
Sony A68 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60i24.113.570179
16.
 
Sony A6000 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.113.1134782
17.
 
Sony RX100 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p22.612.439066

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the A58 provides a better video resolution than the D3S. It can shoot movie footage at 1080/60i, while the Nikon is limited to 720/24p.

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Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the A58 has an electronic viewfinder (1440k dots), while the D3S has an optical one. Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (100%), but the viewfinder of the D3S has a higher magnification than the one of the A58 (0.70x vs 0.57x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Nikon D3S and Sony A58 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

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Core Features
  empty Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Nikon D3Soptical Y3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/8000s 11.0/s n n
2.
 
Sony A581440 n2.7 / 460 tilting n 1/4000s 5.0/s Y Y
3.
 
Canon 1D Mark IIIoptical Y3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 10.0/s n n
4.
 
Canon 1D Mark IVoptical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/8000s 10.0/s n n
5.
 
Nikon D2Xsoptical Y2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s n n
6.
 
Nikon D3optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/8000s 11.0/s n n
7.
 
Nikon D3Xoptical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s n n
8.
 
Nikon D4optical Y3.2 / 921 fixed n 1/8000s 11.0/s n n
9.
 
Nikon D4Soptical Y3.2 / 921 fixed n 1/8000s 11.0/s n n
10.
 
Nikon D5optical Y3.2 / 2359 fixed Y 1/8000s 14.0/s n n
11.
 
Nikon D300Soptical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/8000s 7.0/s Y n
12.
 
Nikon D700optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/8000s 8.0/s Y n
13.
 
Nikon D3300optical n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
14.
 
Sony A7 II2400 n3.0 / 1230 tilting n 1/8000s 5.0/s n Y
15.
 
Sony A681440 Y2.7 / 460 tilting n 1/4000s 8.0/s Y Y
16.
 
Sony A60001440 n3.0 / 922 tilting n 1/4000s 11.0/s Y n
17.
 
Sony RX100none n3.0 / 1229 fixed n 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

One feature that is present on the D3S, but is missing on the A58 is a top-level LCD. While being, of course, smaller than the rear screen, the control panel conveys some of the essential shooting information and can be convenient for quick and easy settings verification.

The Nikon D3S has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

The D3S writes its imaging data to Compact Flash cards, while the A58 uses SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards. The D3S features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the A58 only has one slot.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Nikon D3S and Sony Alpha SLT-A58 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
  empty Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Nikon D3SYstereo / ---mini2.0---
2.
 
Sony A58Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0---
3.
 
Canon 1D Mark IIIY- / ----2.0---
4.
 
Canon 1D Mark IVYstereo / -Y-mini2.0---
5.
 
Nikon D2XsY- / ----2.0---
6.
 
Nikon D3Y- / ---mini2.0---
7.
 
Nikon D3XY- / ---mini2.0---
8.
 
Nikon D4Ymono / monoYYmicro2.0---
9.
 
Nikon D4SYmono / monoYYmini2.0---
10.
 
Nikon D5Ystereo / monoYYmini3.0---
11.
 
Nikon D300SYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
12.
 
Nikon D700Y- / ---mini2.0---
13.
 
Nikon D3300Ymono / monoY-mini2.0---
14.
 
Sony A7 IIYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
15.
 
Sony A68Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0---
16.
 
Sony A6000Ystereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
17.
 
Sony RX100-stereo / mono--micro2.0---

It is notable that the A58 has a microphone port, which can help to improve the quality of audio recordings by attaching an external microphone. The D3S does not feature such a mic input.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Nikon D3S (unlike the A58) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Both the D3S and the A58 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The D3S was replaced by the Nikon D4, while the A58 was followed by the Sony A68. Further information on the features and operation of the D3S and A58 can be found, respectively, in the Nikon D3S Manual (free pdf) or the online Sony A58 Manual.

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Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is there a clear favorite between the Nikon D3S and the Sony A58? Which camera is better? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

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Advantages of the Nikon D3S:

  • Better image quality: Scores markedly higher (8 points) in the DXO overall assessment.
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Requires less light for good images (2.1 stops ISO advantage).
  • Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.70x vs 0.57x).
  • Easier setting verification: Features an LCD display on top to control shooting parameters.
  • Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 2.7") for image review and settings control.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (921k vs 460k dots).
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (11 vs 5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
  • More portrait friendly: Features an integrated vertical grip for easier portrait shooting.
  • Longer lasting: Can take more shots (4200 versus 690) on a single battery charge.
  • Better sealing: Is weather sealed to enable shooting in dusty or wet environments.
  • Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
  • Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in October 2009).

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Reasons to prefer the Sony Alpha SLT-A58:

  • More detail: Has more megapixels (19.8 vs 12.1MP), which boosts linear resolution by 28%.
  • Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (1080/60i vs 720/24p).
  • Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
  • More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
  • More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
  • More compact: Is smaller (129x95mm vs 160x157mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
  • Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 748g or 60 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
  • Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
  • Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (88 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More modern: Reflects 3 years and 4 months of technical progress since the D3S launch.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the D3S is the clear winner of the match-up (16 : 11 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional sports photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a street photog, and a person interested in family portraits has distinct needs from a landscape shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

D3S 16:11 A58

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Nikon D3S and the Sony A58 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the D3S or the A58 perform in practice. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
  empty  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon D3S5/5....89/1004.5/55/5 Oct 2009 US$ 5 199ebay.com
2.
 
Sony A583/5......4.5/54.5/5 Feb 2013 US$ 599ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 1D Mark III............ Feb 2007 US$ 4 499ebay.com
4.
 
Canon 1D Mark IV5/5....89/100.... Oct 2009 US$ 4 999ebay.com
5.
 
Nikon D2Xs............ Jun 2006 US$ 4 699ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon D3......+ +5/54.5/5 Aug 2007 US$ 4 999ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon D3X......86/1004/55/5 Dec 2008 US$ 7 999ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D4........4.5/54.5/5 Jan 2012 US$ 5 999ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D4S5/5......4.5/54.5/5 Feb 2014 US$ 6 499ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D5....4/589/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2016 US$ 6 499ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D300S5/5+ +..82/1004/54.5/5 Jul 2009 US$ 1 799ebay.com
12.
 
Nikon D700..89/100..+ +4.5/54.5/5 Jul 2008 US$ 2 999ebay.com
13.
 
Nikon D33003/5+..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Jan 2014 US$ 499ebay.com
14.
 
Sony A7 II5/5+4/582/1004.5/55/5 Nov 2014 US$ 1 999ebay.com
15.
 
Sony A683/5......4/54/5 Nov 2015 US$ 699ebay.com
16.
 
Sony A60005/5+4.5/580/1004.5/55/5 Feb 2014 US$ 599ebay.com
17.
 
Sony RX1005/5+ +..78/1004/55/5 Jun 2012 US$ 649ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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    Specifications: Nikon D3S vs Sony A58

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Nikon D3S Sony A58
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Nikon F mount lenses Sony A mount lenses
    Launch Date October 2009 February 2013
    Launch Price USD 5,199 USD 599
    Sensor Specs Nikon D3S Sony A58
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format Full Frame Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 36.0 x 23.9 mm 23.5 x 15.6 mm
    Sensor Area 860.4 mm2 366.6 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 43.2 mm 28.2 mm
    Crop Factor 1.0x 1.5x
    Sensor Resolution 12.1 Megapixels 19.8 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4256 x 2832 pixels 5456 x 3632 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 8.43 μm 4.31 μm
    Pixel Density 1.40 MP/cm2 5.41 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 720/24p Video 1080/60i Video
    ISO Setting 200 - 12,800 ISO 100 - 16,000 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 102,400 ISO 100 - 25,600 ISO
    Image Processor EXPEED BIONZ
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 82 74
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 23.5 23.3
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 12.0 12.5
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 3253 753
    Screen Specs Nikon D3S Sony A58
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100% 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.70x 0.57x
    Viewfinder Resolution 1440k dots
    Top-Level Screen Control Panel no Top Display
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 2.7inch
    LCD Resolution 921k dots 460k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Tilting screen
    Shooting Specs Nikon D3S Sony A58
    Focus System Phase-detect AF Phase-detect AF
    Manual Focusing Aidno Peaking FeatureFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/8000s 1/4000s
    Continuous Shooting 11 shutter flaps/s 5 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy300 000 actuations100 000 actuations
    Time-Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer built-inno Intervalometer
    Image StabilizationLens stabilization onlyIn-body stabilization
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium CF cards MS or SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Dual card slots Single card slot
    Connectivity Specs Nikon D3S Sony A58
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash PC Sync socket no PC Sync
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI mini HDMI
    Microphone Port no MIC socket External MIC port
    Wifi Support no Wifi no Wifi
    Body Specs Nikon D3S Sony A58
    Environmental SealingWeathersealed bodynot weather sealed
    Battery Type Nikon EN-EL4a Sony NP-FM500H
    Battery Life (CIPA)4200 shots per charge690 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 160 x 157 x 88 mm
    (6.3 x 6.2 x 3.5 in)
    129 x 95 x 78 mm
    (5.1 x 3.7 x 3.1 in)
    Camera Weight 1240 g (43.7 oz) 492 g (17.4 oz)
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    Check D3S offers at
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