• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • 35mm 860.4mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
  • Nikon D3S
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Nikon D2Hs
D2Hs vs D3S
Successor:   Nikon D4
D3S vs D4
General
Model Number: DSLR-A500 D3S
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $849.99 $5199.95
Street Price:    
Date Available: 2009-10-08 2009-11-30
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 31.7 oz (900 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
49.7 oz (1,410 g)
includes batteries
Size: 5.4 x 4.1 x 3.3 in.
(137 x 104 x 84 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  
Effective Megapixels: 12.3 12.1
Sensor Format: APS-C 35mm
Sensor size: 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) 860.4mm2 (36.00mm x 23.90mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.55 microns 8.46 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 1.0x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2, 16:9 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 64 82
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 21.8 23.5
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.6 12.0
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 772 3,253
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4272 x 2848 (12.2 MP, 3:2),
4272 x 2400 (10.3 MP, 16:9),
3104 x 2072 (6.4 MP, 3:2),
3104 x 1744 (5.4 MP, 16:9),
2128 x 1416 (3.0 MP, 3:2),
2188 x 1192 (2.6 MP, Other)
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)
Image File Format: JPEG, RAW JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; compr
Continuous-mode frames/second: 4.9 9.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (24)
640x424 (24)
320x216 (24)
Movie File Format:   Motion JPEG
Composite Video Out: No Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: n/a Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a Yes
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sony Alpha (Minolta A) Nikon F
Lens: Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM n/a
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 - ?? (T)  
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:    
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 55.0mm 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 (one cross-type sensor) with eye-start AF; Wide, Spot, Local modes 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 Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.80x mag., 19mm eyepoint, -2.5 to +1.0 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): 0.53x 0.70x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.80x 0.70x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 230,400 dots 920,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: Yes No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 13.4x 27.0x
Top Deck Display: No Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 12800 12800
Minimum ISO (native): 200 200
ISO Settings: Auto (200-1600), 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800 Auto, 200 - 12,800, plus down to 100 in Lo-1, up to 102,400 in Hi-3
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom Auto, twelve manual modes can be preset with fine-tuning; color temperature setting, custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/8000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 40-segment Multi Segment, Center-weighted, Spot; (1200 zone evaluative metering in Live View) 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: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset, Night Portrait/Night View None
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2/5/10/20 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes No
Flash Modes: Auto, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off n/a
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. n/a
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent n/a
Max Flash Sync: 1/160 1/250
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps  
External Flash Connection: Hot shoe ISO-type hot-shoe contact; safety lock provided; PC Sync terminal
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure  
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC CF1
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; compr
Movie File Format:   Motion JPEG
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 Wireless or Wired Optional wired
Connections (extended): DC input, mini-HDMI, Wired Remote HDMI Out, DC Input, 10-pin Expansion Terminal, External Stereo Mic
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.48 0.34
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.47 0.34
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 9 58
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   0.34
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No Yes
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 4.9 9.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 5 90
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): 0.18 seconds 0.20 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): 0.182 seconds 0.043 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.21 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.074 seconds 0.043 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Quick AF Live View: Center AF: 0.180s Wide-area AF: 0.181s 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
Startup Time: 0.5 seconds 0.3 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds 0.3 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.4 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 1000 shots 4200 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NP-FM500H Proprietary EN-EL4a
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium Ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H 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: Software/USB Driver CD-ROM PictureProject
OS Compatibility: Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Mac OS X (v. 10.13+) Windows, Mac OS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Exmore CMOS Sensor, Variable-angle LCD, SteadyShot In-body Sensor-shift Image Stabilization, Live View, Auto HDR, D-Range Optimizer (Auto, Level 1-5), HDMI Output.