• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.5 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • 35mm 847.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D3X
  • Sony Alpha ILCE-A7 III
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Nikon D2Xs
D2Xs vs D3X
Sony A7 II
A7 II vs A7 III
Successor:   Sony A7 IV
A7 III vs A7 IV
General
Model Number: D3X A7 III
Alternate Model Number(s):   ILCE-7M3
Camera Format: Pro SLR Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $7999.95 $1999.99
Street Price: $2,499.99 $1,531.33
Date Available: 2008-12-15 2018-04-10
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 49.1 oz (1,392 g)
includes batteries
33.3 oz (945 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 6.3 x 6.2 x 3.4 in.
(160 x 157 x 88 mm)
5.0 x 3.8 x 2.9 in.
(127 x 96 x 74 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Sony
Effective Megapixels: 24.5 24.2
Sensor Format: 35mm 35mm
Sensor size: 861.6mm2 (35.90mm x 24.00mm) 847.28mm2 (35.60mm x 23.80mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.94 microns 5.93 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.0x 1.0x
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 Yes
DxO Sensor Score: 88 96
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 24.7 25.0
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 13.7 14.7
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 1,992 3,730
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)
6000 x 4000 (24.0 MP, 3:2),
3936 x 2624 (10.3 MP, 3:2),
3008 x 2000 (6.0 MP, 3:2),
3936 x 2624 (10.3 MP, 3:2),
3008 x 2000 (6.0 MP, 3:2),
1968 x 1312 (2.6 MP, 3:2),
6000 x 3376 (20.3 MP, 16:9),
3936 x 2216 (8.7 MP, 16:9),
3008 x 1688 (5.1 MP, 16:9),
3936 x 2216 (8.7 MP, 16:9),
3008 x 1688 (5.1 MP, 16:9),
1968 x 1112 (2.2 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 9.9
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 3840x2160 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1920x1080 (120p/​100p/​60p/​60i/​50p/​50i/​30p/​25p/​24p)
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 E
Lens: n/a Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS SEL2870
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):   28 - 70mm
Focal Length (actual):   28 - 70mm
Zoom Ratio:   2.50x
Aperture Range:   f/3.5-22 (W) / f/5.6-36 (T)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   40 cm to Infinity
15.7 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a 55.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
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 Fast Hybrid AF (Phase-detect + Contrast-detect AF): 693 phase-detection AF points covering 93% of image area, 425 contrast AF points; Wide (693 points (phase-detection AF), 425 points (contrast-detection AF)) / Zone / Center / Flexible Spot (S/M/L) / Expanded Flexible Spot / Lock-on AF (Wide / Zone / Center / Flexible Spot (S/M/L) / Expanded Flexible Spot)
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: 0.5-inch (1.30cm), 2359K-dot XGA color OLED, 100% coverage, 0.78x magnification, -4.0 to +3.0 diopter
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 921,600 dots (307,200 px)
Touchscreen: No Yes
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 27.0x 18.8x
Top Deck Display: Yes No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 1600 51200
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 100-12800, selectable lower limit and upper limit), 100 - 51200, expandable to 50 - 204800
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 15-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, Spot Standard/Large, Entire Screen Avg., Highlight
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: None Scene Modes: Portrait, Sports Action, Macro, Landscape, Sunset, Night Scene, Night Portrait; HDR: Auto Exposure Difference, Exposure difference Level (1-6 EV at 1.0 EV step)
Self Timer: 2/5/10/20 seconds 2 or 10; 3/5 shots after 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
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / CF2 / Microdrive MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-II
Other Memory:   Slot1:SD UHS-II; 2:MS/SD UHS-I
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,USB 3.0 Super 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 via RM-VPR1, USB or Wi-Fi
Connections (extended): HDMI Out (Type-A), DC Input, 10-pin Expansion Terminal USB-C (USB 3.1 Gen 1), Multi-Terminal Micro USB (with remote support), Type-D Micro HDMI, Microphone and Headphone jacks
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): <0.3 0.57
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):   0.57
Camera penalizes early shutter press? Yes No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 5.0 9.9
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 31 163
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   9.7
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   33
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   9.7
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   30
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.16 seconds 0.20 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 0.125 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.045 seconds 0.023 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 1.7 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds 0.9 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:    
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   710 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 4400 shots 610 shots
Battery Life, Video:   115 minutes
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL4a Proprietary
Usable Battery Types: Lithium Ion rechargeable NP-FZ100 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL4a Lithium Ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NP-FZ100 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes No
Internal Charging Supported: No Yes
Software
Included Software: Software Suite CD-ROM  
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.