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Nikon D3S vs Sony TX5

Portability
51
Imaging
57
Features
63
Overall
59
Nikon D3S front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX5 front
Portability
96
Imaging
33
Features
33
Overall
33

Nikon D3S vs Sony TX5 Key Specs

Nikon D3S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Push to 102400)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1240g - 160 x 157 x 88mm
  • Announced February 2010
  • Old Model is Nikon D3
  • Renewed by Nikon D4
Sony TX5
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.5-6.3) lens
  • 148g - 94 x 57 x 18mm
  • Launched February 2010
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Nikon D3S vs Sony TX5 Overview

Lets look more closely at the Nikon D3S versus Sony TX5, former being a Pro DSLR while the other is a Ultracompact by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the D3S (12MP) and the TX5 (10MP) is fairly well matched but the D3S (Full frame) and TX5 (1/2.4") offer different sensor measurements.

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The D3S was brought out at a similar time to the TX5 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Nikon D3S being a Large SLR camera and the Sony TX5 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before going right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise overview of how the D3S grades versus the TX5 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3S over the Sony TX5

 D3S TX5 
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony TX5 over the Nikon D3S

 TX5 D3S 
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Nikon D3S and Sony TX5

 D3S TX5 
LaunchedFebruary 2010February 2010Similar age
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Nikon D3S vs Sony TX5 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to lug around your camera frequently, you need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Nikon D3S enjoys external measurements of 160mm x 157mm x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5") accompanied by a weight of 1240 grams (2.73 lbs) and the Sony TX5 has measurements of 94mm x 57mm x 18mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 148 grams (0.33 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon D3S versus Sony TX5 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you choose at the time. Here is a front view scale comparison of the D3S and the TX5.

Nikon D3S vs Sony TX5 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the D3S and TX5 is 51 and 96 respectively.

Nikon D3S vs Sony TX5 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3S vs Sony TX5 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be hard to picture the difference between sensor measurements purely by looking at technical specs. The graphic underneath might provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the D3S and TX5.

As you have seen, both of those cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The D3S due to its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF simpler and the Nikon D3S will give you greater detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics way more aggressively.

Nikon D3S vs Sony TX5 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3S vs Sony TX5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3S vs Sony TX5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D3S
Portrait photography with Sony TX5
64
has manual focus
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW files
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
26
you can focus manually
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
MP count low (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.4")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3S Street photography factors
Sony TX5 Street photography factors
55
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
has focus via touch
weather proofing
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.4")
doesn't have RAW files
heavier than average in class (148g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D3S
Sports photography with Sony TX5
66
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proofing
great battery power (4,200 CIPA)
has phase detect AF
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
33
has image stabilization (Optical)
weather proofing
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.4")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3S Travel photography factors
Sony TX5 Travel photography factors
51
great battery power (4,200 shots)
weather proofing
low resolution sensor (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
62
weather proofing
has focus via touch
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than average in class (148 grams)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3S Landscape photography info
Sony TX5 Landscape photography info
67
has manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
great battery power (4,200 CIPA)
has dual storage slots
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
43
you can focus manually
relatively wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
weather proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual exposure
MP count low (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.4")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3S Vlogging features
Sony TX5 Vlogging features
15
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic jack
30
relatively wide (25mm)
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic port
heavier than average in class (148g)
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Nikon D3S vs Sony TX5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3S and Sony TX5
 Nikon D3SSony Cyber-shot DSC-TX5
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D3S Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX5
Class Pro DSLR Ultracompact
Announced 2010-02-16 2010-02-18
Body design Large SLR Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed Bionz
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame 1/2.4"
Sensor dimensions 36 x 23.9mm 6.104 x 4.578mm
Sensor surface area 860.4mm² 27.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 5:4 and 3:2 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4256 x 2832 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 12800 3200
Highest boosted ISO 102400 -
Lowest native ISO 200 125
RAW data
Lowest boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 51 9
Cross focus points 15 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-100mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.5-6.3
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Total lenses 309 -
Crop factor 1 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 921k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology Low-temperature polysilicon TFT color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 2 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 11.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 2.90 m
Flash settings Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps), 320 x 216 (24 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1240 gr (2.73 lb) 148 gr (0.33 lb)
Physical dimensions 160 x 157 x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5") 94 x 57 x 18mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 82 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.0 not tested
DXO Low light score 3253 not tested
Other
Battery life 4200 shots -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL4a NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes (2 sec or 10 sec, portrait1/ portrait2)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) x 2, UDMA SD/SDHC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/ Pro HG-Duo, Internal
Storage slots Two 1
Pricing at launch $5,200 $239