Nikon D3X vs Sony A57 Specifications

35mm 861.6mm²
24.5 megapixels
ISO 100 - 1600

Go in depth with our full Nikon D3X Review.

APS-C 369.7mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Sony A57 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the A57.

Detailed specifications
Nikon D3X
Sony Alpha SLT-A57

Links
Prices:
Manufacturer URL:	Manufacturer website	Manufacturer website
Predecessor:	Nikon D2Xs D2Xs vs D3X
Successor:
General
Model Number:	D3X	A57
Alternate Model Number(s):
Camera Format:	Pro SLR	SLR
Currently Manufactured:	No	No
Retail Price:	$7999.95	$799.99
Street Price:	$2,499.99
Date Available:	2008-12-15	2012-04-15
Tripod Mount:	Yes	Yes
Weight:	49.1 oz (1,392 g) includes batteries	29.2 oz (828 g) includes batteries, kit lens
Size:	6.3 x 6.2 x 3.4 in. (160 x 157 x 88 mm)	5.2 x 3.8 x 3.2 in. (132 x 98 x 81 mm)
Waterproof:	No	No
Waterproof Depth:	n/a	n/a

Image Sensor
Sensor Type:	CMOS	CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:	Sony	Sony
Effective Megapixels:	24.5	16.1
Sensor Format:	35mm	APS-C
Sensor size:	861.6mm² (35.90mm x 24.00mm)	369.72mm² (23.7mm x 15.6mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch:	5.94 microns	4.82 microns
Focal Length Multiplier:	1.0x	1.5x
Aspect Ratio:	3:2	3:2
Color Filter Type:	RGBG	RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:	Fixed	Fixed
Self-Cleaning:	No	Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization:	No	Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect:	No	No
DxO Sensor Score:	88	75
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):	24.7	23.4
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):	13.7	13.0
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):	1,992	785
Image Capture
Image Resolution:	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)	4912 x 3264 (16.0 MP, 3:2), 4912 x 2760 (13.6 MP, 16:9), 3568 x 2368 (8.4 MP, Other), 3568 x 2000 (7.1 MP, 16:9), 2448 x 1624 (4.0 MP, Other), 2448 x 1376 (3.4 MP, 16:9), 12416 x 1856 (23.0 MP, Other), 5536 x 2160 (12.0 MP, Other), 8192 x 1856 (15.2 MP, Other), 3872 x 2160 (8.4 MP, Other), 7152 x 1080 (7.7 MP, Other), 4912 x 1080 (5.3 MP, Other), 1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9)
Image File Format:	JPEG (EXIF 2.21), TIFF; RAW (NEF), 12- or 14-bit	JPEG, MPO, RAW (12-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second:	5.0	10.0
Video Capture
Can take movies:	No	Yes
Movie Resolution:		1920x1080 (60p(PS)/60i(FX)/60i(FH)/24p(FX)/24p(FH)) 1440x1080 (30p) 640x480 (30p)
Movie File Format:		AVCHD 2.0/MP4 (Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3)/MPEG-4 AAC-LC)
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 Alpha (Minolta A)
Lens:	n/a	Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):		27 - 83mm
Focal Length (actual):		18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio:		3.06x
Aperture Range:		f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 36 (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	55.0mm
Thread Type:	n/a	n/a
Optical Image Stabilization:	No	No
Digital Zoom:	No	Yes
Digital Zoom Values:	n/a	Up to 2x Precision, Up to 2x Clear Image Zoom, 1.4x (8.4MP) or 2.0x (4MP) Smart 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	Phase Detection: 15 points (3 points cross type); Wide (auto, 15 points), Zone, Spot, Local; Enhanced Object Tracking
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 type; 1.1cm (0.43") 1.44M/1.25M-dot LCD (480K/418K-dot time-multiplexed RGB), 100% coverage, 1.04x/0.97x magnification, 23.1/25.2mm eyepoint, -4 to +3 diopter
Focus Peaking:	No	Yes
EVF Resolution:	n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):	0.70x	0.69x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):	0.70x	1.04x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder:	Yes	Yes
Rear Display:	Yes	Yes
Rear Display Size (inches):	3.0	3.0
Rear Display Resolution:	922,000 dots	921,600 dots (307,200 px)
Touchscreen:	No	No
Articulating Screen:	No	Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen:	No
Selfie Screen:	No
Max Playback Zoom:	27.0x	13.6x
Top Deck Display:	Yes	No

Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):	1600	16000
Minimum ISO (native):	100	100
ISO Settings:	100 - 1600, plus down to 50 in Lo-1, up to 6,400 in Hi-2	Auto (100-3200), 100 - 16000; (Multi-frame NR mode up to ISO 25600)
Auto ISO Mode:	Yes	Yes
White Balance Settings:	Auto, seven manual modes can be preset with fine-tuning; color temperature setting, custom	Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (4), Flash, Custom, Color Temp./ Filter (2500-9900K with 15-step Magenta/Green compensation)
Shutter Speed Range:	1/8000 - 30 sec	1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode:	Yes	Yes
Exposure Compensation:	+/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps	+/- 3.0EV 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, 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, SportsAction, Macro, Landscape, Sunset, Night scene, Hand-held Twilight (6 shot layering), Night Portrait; Sweep Panorama, 3D Sweep Panorama, Auto Portrait Framing, Picture Effect (Posterization (Color, B/W), Pop Color, Retro Photo, Partial Color (R,G,B,Y), High Contrast Monochrome, Toy Camera, Soft High-key, Soft Focus, HDR Painting, Rich-tone Monochrome, Miniature), Dynamic Range Optimizer (Off/Auto/Level),
Self Timer:	2/5/10/20 seconds	2 or 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):
High Resolution Composite:	No	No
Flash
Built-in Flash:	No	Yes
Flash Modes:	n/a	Auto, Off, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100):	n/a	10.0 m / 32.8 ft.
Flash Range Description:	n/a	Lens dependent
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	Hot shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types:	CF1 / CF2 / Microdrive	MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:
Other Memory:
Dual Card Slots:	Yes	No
RAW Capture Support:	Yes	Yes
Uncompressed Format:	TIFF; RAW (NEF), 12- or 14-bit	RAW (12-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format:		AVCHD 2.0/MP4 (Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3)/MPEG-4 AAC-LC)
Included Memory:	No memory included
Included Memory Type:
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi:	No	No
NFC:		No
Bluetooth:	No	No
Built-In GPS:	No	No
Microphone Jack:	Yes	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:	Wired, 10-pin terminal or USB	Optional Wireless or Wired
Connections (extended):	HDMI Out (Type-A), DC Input, 10-pin Expansion Terminal	Type-C Mini HDMI (BRAVIA Sync, PhotoTV HD); Wired Remote Terminal, 3.5mm External Stereo Micophone Jack, DC Input

Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution):	<0.3
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):	<0.3
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):	31
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):
Camera penalizes early shutter press?	Yes
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution):	5.0	10.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution):	31	25
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):	0.16 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):
Shutter Lag (manual focus):	0.050 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):
Shutter Lag (prefocused):	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:	0.3 seconds
Play -> Record Time:	0.3 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):	4400 shots	550 shots
Battery Life, Video:
Battery Form Factor:	Proprietary EN-EL4a	Proprietary
Usable Battery Types:	Lithium Ion rechargeable	NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included:	1 x Proprietary EN-EL4a Lithium Ion rechargeable	1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter):	Yes	Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:	Yes	Yes
Internal Charging Supported:	No	No
Software
Included Software:	Software Suite CD-ROM	Sony Software CD-ROM
OS Compatibility:	Windows, Mac OS	Windows XP SP3/Vista SP2/7, Mac OS X (v.10.3 +)
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features:	24.5MP version of the D3. 5fps full resolution burst speed, 7fps in DX crop mode at 10.5 megapixels.	SteadyShot INSIDE Sensor-shift Image Stabilization (up to 4.5 EV correction), Full HD 1080p60 Video, Up to 12 fps Burst Mode (Tele-zoom Continuous Advance Priority AE), Enhanced Object Tracking AF, 2x Clear Image Digital Zoom, New Auto Portrait Framing, Tilting 921K-dot LCD, 1.44M-dot EVF.