• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.5 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 42.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D3X
  • Sony Alpha ILCA-A99 II
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Nikon D2Xs
D2Xs vs D3X
Sony A99
A99 vs A99 II
Successor:    
General
Model Number: D3X A99 II
Alternate Model Number(s):   ILCA-99M2
Camera Format: Pro SLR Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $7999.95 $3199.00
Street Price: $2,499.99 $3,198.00
Date Available: 2008-12-15 2016-11-30
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 49.1 oz (1,392 g)
includes batteries
29.9 oz (849 g)
Size: 6.3 x 6.2 x 3.4 in.
(160 x 157 x 88 mm)
5.6 x 4.1 x 3.0 in.
(143 x 104 x 76 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Sony
Effective Megapixels: 24.5 42.4
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 4.51 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.0x 1.0x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed None
Self-Cleaning: No Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No Yes
DxO Sensor Score: 88 92
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 24.7 25.4
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 13.7 13.4
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 1,992 2,317
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)
7952 x 5304 (42.2 MP, 3:2),
5168 x 3448 (17.8 MP, 3:2),
3984 x 2656 (10.6 MP, 3:2),
7952 x 4472 (35.6 MP, 16:9),
5168 x 2912 (15.0 MP, Other),
3984 x 2240 (8.9 MP, 16:9),
5168 x 3448 (17.8 MP, 3:2),
3984 x 2656 (10.6 MP, 3:2),
2592 x 1728 (4.5 MP, 3:2),
5168 x 2912 (15.0 MP, Other),
3984 x 2240 (8.9 MP, 16:9),
2592 x 1456 (3.8 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)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), TIFF; RAW (NEF), 12- or 14-bit JPEG, RAW (14-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 5.0 10.5
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 3840x2160 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1920x1080 (60p/​60i/​50p/​50i/​24p)
1280x720 (30p/​25p)
1920x1080 (120p/​100p)
Movie File Format:   XAVC S / AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio: LPCM / 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 Alpha (Minolta A)
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 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 TTL Phase-detection AF: Dedicated CCD line sensors: 79 points (15 cross-type points, F2.8- sensitive at the center point); Focal Plane Phase Detection: 399 points (323 selectable points, 79 hybrid-cross auto focus points*) * When Hybrid Phase Detection AF is activated
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: 1.3cm (0.5-inch) 2.4M-dot XGA color OLED, 100% coverage, 0.78x magnification, -4.0 to +3.0 diopter, eyepoint 23mm from the eyepiece lens/18.5mm from the eyepiece frame at -1 m-1 (CIPA standard), eye sensor
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a 2,359,296 dots (786,432 pixels)
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.70x 0.78x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.70x 0.78x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 922,000 dots 1,228,800 dots (307,200 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No Yes
Selfie Screen: No Yes
Max Playback Zoom: 27.0x 24.9x
Top Deck Display: Yes Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 1600 25600
Minimum ISO (native): 100 100
ISO Settings: 100 - 1600, plus down to 50 in Lo-1, up to 6,400 in Hi-2 AUTO (ISO 100-6400, selectable lower limit and upper limit), ISO 100 - 25600, expandable to ISO 50 - 102400
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 settings), Flash, Custom, Color Temp./ Filter (2500-9900K with 57-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 3 Memory Recalls; 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, 5, 10; 3/5 shots after 2/5/10 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, PC-Sync Terminal
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / CF2 / Microdrive MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: Yes Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: TIFF; RAW (NEF), 12- or 14-bit RAW (14-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format:   XAVC S / AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio: LPCM / 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 Yes
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: Yes Yes
Headphone Jack: No Yes
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed,Bluetooth,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Wired, 10-pin terminal or USB Optional wired, infrared or via Wi-Fi
Connections (extended): HDMI Out (Type-A), DC Input, 10-pin Expansion Terminal Multi-Terminal Micro USB (with remote support), Type-D Micro HDMI (can output up to 4K/30p 8-bit 4:2:2) ; Microphone and Headphone jacks, DC input terminal
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): <0.3 <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):   <0.3
Camera penalizes early shutter press? Yes No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 5.0 10.5
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 31 61
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   11.1
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   25
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   10.6
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   24
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.16 seconds 0.11 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 0.113 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.045 seconds 0.052 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 1.2 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds 1.0 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:    
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   490 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 4400 shots 390 shots
Battery Life, Video:   135 minutes
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 Capture One Express (for Sony) free download
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: 24.5MP version of the D3. 5fps full resolution burst speed, 7fps in DX crop mode at 10.5 megapixels.