Nikon D3s vs Sony Alpha 850 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · DSLR · 12.1 MP · Full Frame
Nikon D3s
57
WINNER
|
Sony · DSLR · 24.6 MP · Full Frame
Sony Alpha 850
55
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon D3s and the Sony Alpha 850 are DSLRs from 2009 that answer different briefs. The D3s is the larger and heavier body at 160 x 157 x 88 mm and 1240 g. The Alpha 850 is the slimmer and lighter one at 156 x 117 x 82 mm and 895 g, announced earlier in the same year. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2009 | 2009 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
October 14, 2009 | August 27, 2009 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 160 x 157 x 88 mm | 156 x 117 x 82 mm |
| Camera weight | 1240 g | 895 g |
| Optics | 55/100 | 65/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Alpha 850 is the stronger choice for landscape, studio and portrait work that demands large prints or heavy cropping, with 24.6 megapixels against the D3s's 12.1. Its in-body stabilisation steadies handheld shooting with any Sony Alpha mount lens, a benefit the D3s cannot match because it has no sensor-shift system. The D3s answers for action and dim venues. It shoots at 11 fps against the Alpha 850's 3 fps, tracks subjects with 51 autofocus points instead of 9, and reaches a native ISO of 12800, extendable to 102400. Both use full-frame CMOS sensors, a pentaprism viewfinder, a 1/8000 second top shutter speed and a base ISO of 200. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
12.1 MP050 | 24.6 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4256 x 2832 | 6048 x 4032 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
24 x 36 | 24 x 35.9 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Full Frame | Full Frame |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
11 fps045 | 3 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Nikon F FX | Sony Alpha |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Expeed | Bionz |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
20030200 | 20030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
128003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
1024003003280000 | 64003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
800080032000 | 800080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
510300 | 90300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
No |  Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoNeither camera records video, so motion clips call for a separate device whichever body you buy. For stills shooters the difference here is interval work: the D3s offers built-in timelapse, capturing a sequence of stills for later assembly, while the Alpha 850 does not. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
N/A | N/A |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | No |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
N/A | N/A |
| Features | 54/100 | 28/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesWeather sealing gives the D3s a practical edge for outdoor work in rain or dust, and it adds live view for precise tripod framing and manual focus checks. The Alpha 850 counters with a flip screen, which helps when framing low to the ground or over a crowd, though without live view that articulation is limited to playback and menus. The two share a 3-inch LCD screen, external flash support, and no built-in flash, GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or touch control. Neither camera can geotag images on its own, so location tagging needs an accessory or manual notes. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
✗ | ✗ |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | No |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9210001150001500000 | 9216001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
No |  Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | No |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 87/100 | 71/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe D3s holds the far larger battery rating for long shooting days: 4200 shots for its EN-EL4a against 880 shots for the Alpha 850's NP-FM500H, each measured under its own test conditions. For a full wedding or sports day, the Alpha 850's smaller rating makes spare batteries the safer plan. Both cameras have dual memory card slots, keeping a second card ready during a long shoot. The D3s takes CompactFlash Type I with UDMA, while the Alpha 850 also accepts CompactFlash Type II and Memory Stick Duo or Pro Duo cards, giving its shooters more card-format choices. Neither charges its battery over USB. | ||
| Memory card | CompactFlash (Type I), UDMA | Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | EN-EL4a | NP-FM500H |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
4200 shots1505000 | 880 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Buy the D3s if your photography is fast or unpredictable: sports, news, wildlife and dim indoor events, where 11 fps, 51 autofocus points, a high ISO ceiling, weather sealing and a 4200-shot battery rating all matter together. It is the stronger tool for long, demanding days of that kind of work.
Buy the Alpha 850 for maximum detail in landscapes, portraits and product work, where 24.6 megapixels and in-body stabilisation pay off on trips and in the studio. Both are stills-only tools, so video needs never pull you either way.