• 35mm 860.4mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800

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Differences

Nikon D3S advantages over Fujifilm X-A5

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 8.46 vs 3.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 3.1 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 4200 vs 450 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Less shutter lag
    0.20 vs 0.33 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.0 fps vs 5.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    90 vs 22 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    9.1 fps vs 5.7 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    41 vs 6 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 51200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Fujifilm X-A5 advantages over Nikon D3S

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 720p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    40 mm vs 87 mm
    Thinner
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    7 years vs 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Buy the Nikon D3S

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Fujifilm X-A5
Kit with 15-45mm PZ lens (Brown)
  • Kit with 15-45mm PZ lens (Brown)
  • Kit with 15-45mm PZ lens (Pink)
  • Kit with 15-45mm PZ lens (Silver)
All X-A5 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Impressive overall image quality; Excellent high ISO performance; Very good dynamic range from RAW files; Full HD video at 60 fps; Good battery life.

  • Slower-than-average AF speed; 4K video capped at 15fps; Very slow startup to first shot time with new power-zoom kit lens; Sluggish single-shot cycle times.

  • Read our Fujifilm X-A5 Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D3X

Nikon D3S
Nikon D3X
  • $5200
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • More dynamic range
  • External Mic Jack

Compare Nikon D3S vs Nikon D3X

Fujifilm X-A5
Nikon D3X
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Fujifilm X-A5 vs Nikon D3X

Compared to Canon 1DX

Nikon D3S
Canon 1DX
  • $5200
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $5299
  • 35mm
  • External Mic Jack
  • Shoots 1080p video

Compare Nikon D3S vs Canon 1DX

Fujifilm X-A5
Canon 1DX
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $5299
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Fujifilm X-A5 vs Canon 1DX

Compared to Nikon D4

Nikon D3S
Nikon D4
  • $5200
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • External Mic Jack
  • Shoots 1080p video

Compare Nikon D3S vs Nikon D4

Fujifilm X-A5
Nikon D4
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Fujifilm X-A5 vs Nikon D4

Compared to Fujifilm X-A3

Nikon D3S
Fujifilm X-A3
  • $5200
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3S vs Fujifilm X-A3

Fujifilm X-A5
Fujifilm X-A3
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup

Compare Fujifilm X-A5 vs Fujifilm X-A3

Compared to Canon EOS M6

Nikon D3S
Canon EOS M6
  • $5200
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $399
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3S vs Canon EOS M6

Fujifilm X-A5
Canon EOS M6
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $399
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • NFC

Compare Fujifilm X-A5 vs Canon EOS M6

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