• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.6 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.5 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
  • Nikon D3X
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Nikon D2Xs
D2Xs vs D3X
Successor:    
General
Model Number: A900 D3X
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $2999.99 $7999.95
Street Price:   $2,499.99
Date Available: 2008-11-15 2008-12-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 33.1 oz (939 g)
includes batteries
49.1 oz (1,392 g)
includes batteries
Size: 6.2 x 4.6 x 3.2 in.
(156 x 117 x 82 mm)
6.3 x 6.2 x 3.4 in.
(160 x 157 x 88 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Sony
Effective Megapixels: 24.6 24.5
Sensor Format: 35mm 35mm
Sensor size: 861.6mm2 (35.90mm x 24.00mm) 861.6mm2 (35.90mm x 24.00mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.94 microns 5.94 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.0x 1.0x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2, 16:9 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes No
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 79 88
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 23.7 24.7
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.3 13.7
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 1,431 1,992
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 6048 x 4032 (24.4 MP, 3:2),
6048 x 3408 (20.6 MP, Other),
4400 x 2936 (12.9 MP, 3:2),
4400 x 2472 (10.9 MP, 16:9),
3984 x 2656 (10.6 MP, 3:2),
3024 x 2016 (6.1 MP, 3:2),
2896 x 1928 (5.6 MP, 3:2),
3024 x 1704 (5.2 MP, Other),
1984 x 1320 (2.6 MP, 3:2)
6048 x 4032 (24.4 MP, 3:2),
4544 x 3024 (13.7 MP, 3:2),
3024 x 2016 (6.1 MP, 3:2),
5056 x 4032 (20.4 MP, 5:4),
3792 x 3024 (11.5 MP, 5:4),
2528 x 2016 (5.1 MP, 5:4),
3968 x 2640 (10.5 MP, 3:2),
2976 x 1976 (5.9 MP, Other),
1984 x 1320 (2.6 MP, 3:2)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW, cRAW, RAW+JPEG; (ARW 2.0) JPEG (EXIF 2.21), TIFF; RAW (NEF), 12- or 14-bit
Continuous-mode frames/second: 5.0 5.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: No No
Movie Resolution:
Movie File Format:    
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: No Yes
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sony Alpha (Minolta A) Nikon F
Lens: n/a n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):    
Focal Length (actual):    
Zoom Ratio:    
Aperture Range:    
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:    
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: No No
Digital Zoom Values: n/a n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 9-point TTL phase detection with 10 assist points, center dual-cross at f/2.8. 51-point TTL phase detection via Nikon Multi-CAM 3500FX with 15 cross-type and 36 line-type sensors
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes No
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD (playback only) Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentaprism with 100% coverage, 0.74x mag., 20mm eyepoint, -3 to +1 diopter SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, interchangeable screen, 100%, 0.7x, 18mm eyepoint, -3.0 to +1.0
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.74x 0.70x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.74x 0.70x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots 922,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 19.0x 27.0x
Top Deck Display: Yes Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 3200 1600
Minimum ISO (native): 200 100
ISO Settings: Auto, 200-3200, Extensions to 100 and 6400 100 - 1600, plus down to 50 in Lo-1, up to 6,400 in Hi-2
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Color Temperature from 2,500K to 9,900K, Custom (3) Auto, seven manual modes can be preset with fine-tuning; color temperature setting, custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/8000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 40-segment Honeycomb Pattern, Center-weighted, Spot 1005-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II, Center-weighted, Spot (1.5%) centered on selected focus area
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes:   None
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2/5/10/20 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: No No
Flash Modes: n/a n/a
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: Hot shoe, PC-sync ISO-type hot-shoe contact; safety lock provided; PC Sync terminal
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / CF2 / MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / Microdrive CF1 / CF2 / Microdrive
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: Yes Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW, cRAW, RAW+JPEG; (ARW 2.0) TIFF; RAW (NEF), 12- or 14-bit
Movie File Format:    
Included Memory:   No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC:
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No Yes
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Wired or wireless Wired, 10-pin terminal or USB
Connections (extended): DC input, Multi-connector, Sync termimal, Remote terminal, HDMI Type-C minijack HDMI Out (Type-A), DC Input, 10-pin Expansion Terminal
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.40 <0.3
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.41 <0.3
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 15 31
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No Yes
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 5.0 5.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 11 31
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.18 seconds 0.16 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.153 seconds 0.050 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.072 seconds 0.045 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):   Live View Mode Full AF, Single-Area, Hand-Held Mode = 0.426s Full AF, Auto-Area, Hand-Held Mode = 0.606s Prefocused, Hand-Held Mode = 0.045s Prefocused, Tripod Mode = 0.418s
Startup Time: 0.5 seconds 0.3 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds 0.3 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:    
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 880 shots 4400 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary Proprietary EN-EL4a
Usable Battery Types: NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium Ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary EN-EL4a Lithium Ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: Image Data Converter SR, Image Data Lightbox SR, Remote Camera Control (all Windows & Macintosh), Picture Motion Browser (Windows only). Software Suite CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows 2000Pro/XP/Vista; Mac OS X (v 10.1.3+) Windows, Mac OS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: 24.6MP Full-frame CMOS sensor, In-body SteadyShot Image Stabilization, Intelligent Preview, Enhanced DRO, Magnesium-alloy Body, Dust/Moisture Resistance, 100K Shutter, 3 User Programmable Memory Modes, AF Micro-adjustment, Top Mounted LCD, Quick Navigation system, Custom button, PhotoTV HD output via HDMI optimized for Sony Bravia TVs. 24.5MP version of the D3. 5fps full resolution burst speed, 7fps in DX crop mode at 10.5 megapixels.