• 35mm 860.4mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  •  
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D3S
  • Sony Alpha NEX-5
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Sony Alpha NEX-5 webpage
Predecessor: Nikon D2Hs
D2Hs vs D3S
 
Successor: Nikon D4
D3S vs D4
Sony NEX-5N
NEX-5 vs NEX-5N
General
Model Number: D3S NEX-5
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $5199.95 $699.99
Street Price:   $699.99
Date Available: 2009-11-30 2010-07-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 49.7 oz (1,410 g)
includes batteries
17.7 oz (502 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 6.3 x 6.2 x 3.4 in.
(160 x 157 x 88 mm)
4.4 x 2.4 x 1.6 in.
(111 x 60 x 40 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Sony
Effective Megapixels: 12.1 14.2
Sensor Format: 35mm APS-C
Sensor size: 860.4mm2 (36.00mm x 23.90mm) 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 8.46 microns 5.16 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.0x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2, 16:9
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 No
DxO Sensor Score: 82 69
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 23.5 22.2
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.0 12.2
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 3,253 796
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)
4592 x 3056 (14.0 MP, 3:2),
4592 x 2576 (11.8 MP, 16:9),
3344 x 2224 (7.4 MP, 3:2),
3344 x 1872 (6.3 MP, Other),
2288 x 1520 (3.5 MP, Other),
2288 x 1280 (2.9 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; compr JPEG, .ARW RAW, RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 9.0 2.7
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (24)
640x424 (24)
320x216 (24)
1920x1080 (60i)
1440x1080 (30)
640x480 (30)
Movie File Format: Motion JPEG AVCHD or MPEG-4
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 SEL1855 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):   27 - 83mm
Focal Length (actual):   18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio:   3.00x
Aperture Range:   f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 34 (T)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a 49.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: No Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a Up to 10x Precision digital zoom with prime lens attached
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 Contrast Detect: 25-area, Center, Flexible Spot; with Face Detection
Auto Focus Assist Light? No Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, interchangeable screen, 100%, 0.7x, 18mm eyepoint, -3.0 to +1.0 (Optional FDA-SV1 optical viewfinder available with 16mm FOV)
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.70x  
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.70x  
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 920,000 dots 921,600 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 27.0x 13.0x
Top Deck Display: Yes No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 12800  
Minimum ISO (native): 200  
ISO Settings: Auto, 200 - 12,800, plus down to 100 in Lo-1, up to 102,400 in Hi-3 Auto (200-1600), 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800
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, Flash, Color Temp./Filter, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 1005-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II, Center-weighted, Spot (1.5%) centered on selected focus area 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 Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night View, Hand-held Twilight, Sweep Panorama
Self Timer: 2/5/10/20 seconds 2 or 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: No No
Flash Modes: n/a Autoflash, Fill-flash, Rear sync., Slow sync., Red-eye reduction
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a 7.0 m / 23.0 ft.
Flash Range Description: n/a Bundled flash has GN of 7m/ISO 100
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation:   +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: ISO-type hot-shoe contact; safety lock provided; PC Sync terminal Smart Accessory Terminal (flash is detachable)
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: Yes No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; compr .ARW RAW, RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: Motion JPEG AVCHD or MPEG-4
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 No
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: Optional wired Optional IR Wireless
Connections (extended): HDMI Out, DC Input, 10-pin Expansion Terminal, External Stereo Mic Mini HDMI (Type C)
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.34 0.77
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.34 0.77
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 58 17
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 0.34  
Camera penalizes early shutter press? Yes No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 9.0 2.7
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 90 38
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 9.1  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 41  
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 9.1  
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 36  
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.20 seconds 0.44 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):   0.44 seconds
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 0.257 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):   0.75 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.043 seconds 0.115 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 Autofocus, Single-area AF mode, 16mm f/2.8 lens = 0.448 second
Startup Time: 0.3 seconds 1.0 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds 1.0 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:   2.8 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   330 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 4200 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL4a Proprietary InfoLithium NP-FW50
Usable Battery Types: Lithium Ion rechargeable 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
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: PictureProject PMB (Picture Motion Browser) 4.3.01 Image Data Converter SR 3.1 Image Data Lightbox SR
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS Windows 2000/XP/Vista; Mac OS X 10.1.3 or later
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Available in black or silver.