• 35mm 860.4mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D3S
  • Sony Alpha ILCE-A7
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Nikon D2Hs
D2Hs vs D3S
 
Successor: Nikon D4
D3S vs D4
Sony A7 II
A7 vs A7 II
General
Model Number: D3S A7
Alternate Model Number(s):   ILCE-7
Camera Format: Pro SLR Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $5199.95 $1999.99
Street Price:   $748.00
Date Available: 2009-11-30 2013-12-07
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 49.7 oz (1,410 g)
includes batteries
27.1 oz (769 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 6.3 x 6.2 x 3.4 in.
(160 x 157 x 88 mm)
5.0 x 3.7 x 1.9 in.
(127 x 94 x 48 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Sony
Effective Megapixels: 12.1 24.3
Sensor Format: 35mm 35mm
Sensor size: 860.4mm2 (36.00mm x 23.90mm) 855.62mm2 (35.80mm x 23.90mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 8.46 microns 5.97 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.0x 1.0x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No Yes
DxO Sensor Score: 82 90
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 23.5 24.8
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.0 14.2
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 3,253 2,248
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4256 x 2832 (12.1 MP, 3:2),
3184 x 2120 (6.8 MP, 3:2),
2128 x 1416 (3.0 MP, 3:2),
2784 x 1848 (5.1 MP, Other),
2080 x 1384 (2.9 MP, 3:2),
1392 x 920 (1.3 MP, Other),
3552 x 2832 (10.1 MP, 5:4),
2656 x 2120 (5.6 MP, 5:4),
1776 x 1416 (2.5 MP, 5:4),
3552 x 2368 (8.4 MP, 3:2),
2656 x 1776 (4.7 MP, 3:2),
1776 x 1184 (2.1 MP, 3:2)
6000 x 4000 (24.0 MP, 3:2),
3936 x 2624 (10.3 MP, 3:2),
3008 x 2000 (6.0 MP, 3:2),
3936 x 2624 (10.3 MP, 3:2),
3008 x 2000 (6.0 MP, 3:2),
1968 x 1312 (2.6 MP, 3:2),
6000 x 3376 (20.3 MP, 16:9),
3936 x 2216 (8.7 MP, 16:9),
3008 x 1688 (5.1 MP, 16:9),
3936 x 2216 (8.7 MP, 16:9),
3008 x 1688 (5.1 MP, 16:9),
1968 x 1112 (2.2 MP, Other),
12416 x 1856 (23.0 MP, Other),
8192 x 1856 (15.2 MP, Other),
2160 x 5536 (12.0 MP, Other),
2160 x 3872 (8.4 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; compr JPEG, RAW (14-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 9.0 5.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (24)
640x424 (24)
320x216 (24)
1920x1080 (60p(28Mbps)/​60i(24/​17Mbps)/​24p(24/​17Mbps))
1440x1080 (30p(12Mbps))
640x480 (30p(3Mbps))
Movie File Format: Motion JPEG AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC, stereo
Composite Video Out: Yes No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: Yes n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Nikon F Sony E
Lens: n/a Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS SEL2870
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):   28 - 70mm
Focal Length (actual):   28 - 70mm
Zoom Ratio:   2.50x
Aperture Range:   f/3.5 - f/22 (wide) / f/5.6 - f/36 (tele); 7 diaphragm blades (circular)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   40 cm to Infinity
15.7 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a 55.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: No Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a Up to 4x; up to 2x Clear Image Digital Zoom
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 51-point TTL phase detection via Nikon Multi-CAM 3500FX with 15 cross-type and 36 line-type sensors Fast Hybrid AF (Phase-detect + Contrast-detect AF): 117 points (phase-detection AF), 25 points (contrast-detection AF); Multi Point (25 points) / Center-weighted / Flexible Spot (S/M/L) / Zone
Auto Focus Assist Light? No Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD EVF / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, interchangeable screen, 100%, 0.7x, 18mm eyepoint, -3.0 to +1.0 EVF: 0.5-inch (1.30cm) 2.4M-dot XGA color OLED, 100% coverage, 0.71x magnification, -4.0 to +3.0 diopter
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a 2,359,296 dots (786,432 pixels)
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.70x 0.71x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.70x 0.71x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 920,000 dots 921,600 dots (307,200 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 27.0x 18.8x
Top Deck Display: Yes No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 12800 25600
Minimum ISO (native): 200 100
ISO Settings: Auto, 200 - 12,800, plus down to 100 in Lo-1, up to 102,400 in Hi-3 Auto (100-6400), 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 25600; Low extention to ISO 50; up to 51200 in MFNR mode
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, twelve manual modes can be preset with fine-tuning; color temperature setting, custom Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (4 settings), Flash, Custom, Color Temp./ Filter (2500-9900K with 15-step Magenta/Green compensation), Underwater
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/8000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 1005-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II, Center-weighted, Spot (1.5%) centered on selected focus area 1200-zone Evaluative Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: None Scene Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night Scene, Hand-held Twilight, Anti Motion Blur; Sweep Panorama; HDR: Auto Exposure Difference, Exposure difference Level (1-6 EV at 1.0 EV step),
Self Timer: 2/5/10/20 seconds 2 or 10; 3/5 shots after 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: No No
Flash Modes: n/a Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Hi-speed Sync, Wireless; Red-eye reduction: On/Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: n/a n/a
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 1/250
Flash Exposure Compensation:   +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: ISO-type hot-shoe contact; safety lock provided; PC Sync terminal Multi Interface Hot shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: Yes No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; compr RAW (14-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: Motion JPEG AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC, stereo
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: Yes
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No Yes
Headphone Jack: No Yes
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional wired Optional via RM-VPR1, USB or Wi-Fi
Connections (extended): HDMI Out, DC Input, 10-pin Expansion Terminal, External Stereo Mic Multi-Terminal Micro USB (with remote support), Type-D Micro HDMI, Microphone and Headphone jacks
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.34 0.67
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.34 0.79
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 58 Unlimited
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 0.34 0.79
Camera penalizes early shutter press? Yes No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 9.0 5.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 90 50
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 9.1 5.0
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 41 28
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 9.1 5.0
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 36 24
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.20 seconds 0.23 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR): 0.51 seconds  
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR): 0.423 seconds  
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.043 seconds 0.132 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.043 seconds 0.023 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Optical Viewfinder AF lag: 51-point Auto-Area Full AF = 0.361s Live View AF Lag: Hand-held mode Full AF = 0.511s Tripod mode Full AF = 2.66s Tripod mode Prefocused = 0.423 Full AF shutter lag, Multi-area AF mode = 0.230s
Startup Time: 0.3 seconds 2.1 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds 0.7 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:    
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   340 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 4200 shots 270 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL4a Proprietary
Usable Battery Types: Lithium Ion rechargeable NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL4a Lithium Ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes No
Internal Charging Supported: No Yes
Software
Included Software: PictureProject Image Data Converter 4, PlayMemories Home
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS Windows Vista/7/8; Mac OS X 10.6 or later. (PlayMemories Home is Windows only.)
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: World's smallest, lightest interchangeable lens full-frame camera (along with Sony A7R); Fast Hybrid AF; Compatible with Sony's E-mount lens system and new full-frame lenses.