Nikon D3X vs Sony A99

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Nikon D3X vs Sony A99

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35mm 861.6mm²
24.5 megapixels
ISO 100 - 1600

Go in depth with our full Nikon D3X Review.

35mm 855.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sony A99 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the A99.

Succeeded by the Sony A99 II
Compare A99 vs A99 II
Compare Nikon D3X vs Sony A99 II

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Differences

Nikon D3X advantages over Sony A99

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Fast startup
~0.30 vs 0.7 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
D3X test data on DxO Mark A99 test data on DxO Mark

1,992 vs 1,555 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

4400 vs 500 shots
Capture more photos
More cross-type AF points
15 vs 3
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
More AF points
51 vs 19
More AF points improve autofocus
Bigger JPEG buffer
31 vs 17 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony A99 advantages over Nikon D3X

Less expensive
$2800 vs $8000 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Lighter weight
828g vs 1392g
Lighter weight
More dots on screen
1229k vs 922k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Faster JPEG shooting
5.9 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 6400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Top deck display
Both provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Dual card slots
Both provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D3X User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A99 User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

Read our Nikon D3X Full Review

Read our Sony A99 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark II

Nikon D3X

Canon 5D Mark II

$2500
35mm

Fast startup
More dynamic range

$1200
35mm

Shoots 1080p video
Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Nikon D3X vs Canon 5D Mark II

Sony A99

Canon 5D Mark II

$1998
35mm

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$1200
35mm

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A99 vs Canon 5D Mark II

Compared to Nikon D3S

Nikon D3X

Nikon D3S

$2500
35mm

More dynamic range
External Mic Jack

$5200
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D3X vs Nikon D3S

Sony A99

Nikon D3S

$1998
35mm

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$5200
35mm

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A99 vs Nikon D3S

Compared to Nikon D4

Nikon D3X

Nikon D4

$2500
35mm

Longer stills battery life
More pixels

$4500
35mm

Bigger pixels
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D3X vs Nikon D4

Sony A99

Nikon D4

$1998
35mm

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$4500
35mm

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A99 vs Nikon D4

Compared to Nikon D800

Nikon D3X

Nikon D800

$2500
35mm

Bigger pixels
Longer stills battery life

$1850
35mm

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D3X vs Nikon D800

Sony A99

Nikon D800

$1998
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$1850
35mm

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A99 vs Nikon D800

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Nikon D3X

Canon 5D Mark III

$2500
35mm

Fast startup
More dynamic range

$2079
35mm

Higher effective ISO
More cross-type AF points

Compare Nikon D3X vs Canon 5D Mark III

Sony A99

Canon 5D Mark III

$1998
35mm

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$2079
35mm

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A99 vs Canon 5D Mark III

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