A potelyt.com – Photography & Imaging Resources
ad

When you use links on apotelyt.com to buy products,
the site may earn a commission.

PW

Nikon 1 V3 vs Sony A900

The Nikon 1 V3 and the Sony Alpha A900 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in March 2014 and September 2008. The V3 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the A900 is a DSLR. The cameras are based on an one-inch (V3) and a full frame (A900) sensor. The Nikon has a resolution of 18.2 megapixels, whereas the Sony provides 24.4 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Nikon 1 V3
versus
Sony A900
Nikon 1 V3   Sony A900
Mirrorless system camera Digital single lens reflex
Nikon 1 mount lenses Sony A mount lenses
18.2 MP – 1" sensor 24.4 MP – Full Frame sensor
1080/60p Video no Video
ISO 160-12,800 ISO 200-3,200 (100 - 6,400)
Viewfinder optional Optical viewfinder
3.0" LCD – 1037k dots 3.0" LCD – 922k dots
Tilting touchscreen Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
60 shutter flaps per second 5 shutter flaps per second
Lens stabilization onlyIn-body stabilization
not weather sealedWeathersealed body
310 shots per battery charge880 shots per battery charge
111 x 65 x 33 mm, 381 g 156 x 117 x 82 mm, 895 g
logo
Check V3 offers at
ebay.com
logo
Check A900 offers at
ebay.com

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Nikon 1 V3 and the Sony Alpha A900? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

ad

Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Nikon 1 V3 and the Sony A900 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Nikon 1 V3 vs Sony A900
Compare V3 versus A900 top
Comparison V3 or A900 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony A900 is considerably larger (153 percent) than the Nikon 1 V3. Moreover, the A900 is substantially heavier (135 percent) than the V3. It is noteworthy in this context that the A900 is splash and dust-proof, while the V3 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.

Concerning battery life, the V3 gets 310 shots out of its Nikon EN-EL20a battery, while the A900 can take 880 images on a single charge of its Sony NP-FM500H power pack.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

scroll hint
Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon 1 V3 111 mm 65 mm 33 mm 381 g 310 n Mar 2014 799ebay.com
2.
 
Sony A900 156 mm 117 mm 82 mm 895 g 880 Y Sep 2008 2,999ebay.com
3.
 
Canon G5 X 112 mm 76 mm 44 mm 353 g 210 n Oct 2015 799ebay.com
4.
 
Canon 100D 117 mm 91 mm 69 mm 407 g 380 n Mar 2013 549ebay.com
5.
 
Canon 5D Mark II 152 mm 114 mm 75 mm 850 g 850 Y Sep 2008 3,499ebay.com
6.
 
Fujifilm X-T10 118 mm 83 mm 41 mm 381 g 350 n May 2015 799ebay.com
7.
 
Fujifilm X-M1 117 mm 67 mm 39 mm 330 g 350 n Jun 2013 699ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D5500 124 mm 97 mm 70 mm 470 g 820 n Jan 2015 899ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon 1 J4 100 mm 60 mm 29 mm 232 g 300 n Apr 2014 549ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon 1 V2 109 mm 82 mm 46 mm 278 g 310 n Oct 2012 799ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon 1 V1 113 mm 76 mm 44 mm 383 g 350 n Sep 2011 799ebay.com
12.
 
Panasonic S1 149 mm 110 mm 97 mm 1017 g 400 Y Feb 2019 2,499 amazon.com
13.
 
Panasonic G6 122 mm 85 mm 71 mm 390 g 340 n Apr 2013 599ebay.com
14.
 
Panasonic GF6 111 mm 65 mm 38 mm 323 g 340 n Apr 2013 499ebay.com
15.
 
Sony A99 II 143 mm 104 mm 76 mm 849 g 490 Y Sep 2016 3,199ebay.com
16.
 
Sony A99 147 mm 111 mm 78 mm 812 g 500 Y Sep 2012 2,799ebay.com
17.
 
Sony A850 156 mm 117 mm 82 mm 895 g 880 Y Aug 2009 1,999ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
padding

Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The V3 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 73 percent) than the A900, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Nikon 1 V3 features an one-inch sensor and the Sony A900 a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the A900 is 643 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 2.7 and 1.0. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Nikon 1 V3 and Sony A900 sensor measures

With 24.4MP, the A900 offers a higher resolution than the V3 (18.2MP), but the A900 nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 5.94μm versus 2.52μm for the V3) due to its larger sensor. However, the V3 is a much more recent model (by 5 years and 6 months) than the A900, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the V3 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Sony A900 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the A900 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 30.2 x 20.2 inches or 76.8 x 51.2 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 24.2 x 16.1 inches or 61.4 x 41 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 20.2 x 13.4 inches or 51.2 x 34.1 cm. The corresponding values for the Nikon 1 V3 are 26.2 x 17.4 inches or 66.4 x 44.3 cm for good quality, 20.9 x 14 inches or 53.2 x 35.4 cm for very good quality, and 17.4 x 11.6 inches or 44.3 x 29.5 cm for excellent quality prints.

The V3 has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

The Nikon 1 V3 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 160 to ISO 12800. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Alpha A900 are ISO 200 to ISO 3200, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-6400.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

V3 versus A900 MP

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). Of the two cameras under consideration, the A900 offers substantially better image quality than the V3 (overall score 27 points higher). The advantage is based on 2.9 bits higher color depth, 1.6 EV in additional dynamic range, and 1.9 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

scroll hint
Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Nikon 1 V3 1-inch 18.2 5232 34881080/60p20.810.738452
2.
 
Sony A900 Full Frame 24.4 6048 4032none23.712.3143179
3.
 
Canon G5 X 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p21.412.347162
4.
 
Canon 100D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.811.384363
5.
 
Canon 5D Mark II Full Frame 21.0 5616 37441080/30p23.711.9181579
6.
 
Fujifilm X-T10 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/60p23.712.9154679
7.
 
Fujifilm X-M1 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/30p23.412.6137176
8.
 
Nikon D5500 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.114.0143884
9.
 
Nikon 1 J4 1-inch 18.2 5232 34881080/60p20.810.742653
10.
 
Nikon 1 V2 1-inch 14.2 4608 30721080/60p20.210.840350
11.
 
Nikon 1 V1 1-inch 10.0 3872 25921080/60i21.311.034654
12.
 
Panasonic S1 Full Frame 24.0 6000 40004K/60p25.214.5333395
13.
 
Panasonic G6 Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34561080/60p21.311.563961
14.
 
Panasonic GF6 Four Thirds 15.8 4592 34481080/60i20.710.662254
15.
 
Sony A99 II Full Frame 42.2 7952 53044K/30p25.413.4231792
16.
 
Sony A99 Full Frame 24.0 6000 40001080/60p25.014.0155589
17.
 
Sony A850 Full Frame 24.4 6048 4032none23.812.2141579
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
padding

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The V3 indeed provides movie recording capabilities, while the A900 does not. The highest resolution format that the V3 can use is 1080/60p.

ad

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the A900 has an optical viewfinder, which can be very useful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the V3 relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. That said, the V3 can be equipped with an optional viewfinder – the DF-N1000. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Nikon 1 V3, the Sony A900, and comparable cameras.

scroll hint
Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Nikon 1 V3optional n3.0 / 1037 tilting Y 1/4000s 60.0/s Y n
2.
 
Sony A900optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s n Y
3.
 
Canon G5 X2360 n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/2000s 5.9/s Y Y
4.
 
Canon 100Doptical n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/4000s 4.9/s Y n
5.
 
Canon 5D Mark IIoptical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/8000s 3.9/s n n
6.
 
Fujifilm X-T102360 n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 8.0/s Y n
7.
 
Fujifilm X-M1none n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 5.6/s Y n
8.
 
Nikon D5500optical n3.2 / 1037 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
9.
 
Nikon 1 J4none n3.0 / 1037 Fixed Y 1/4000s 60.0/s Y n
10.
 
Nikon 1 V21440 n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 15.0/s Y n
11.
 
Nikon 1 V11440 n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 10.0/s n n
12.
 
Panasonic S15760 Y3.2 / 2100 full-flex Y 1/8000s 9.0/s n Y
13.
 
Panasonic G61440 n3.0 / 1036 swivel Y 1/4000s 7.0/s Y n
14.
 
Panasonic GF6none n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 4.2/s Y n
15.
 
Sony A99 II2400 Y3.0 / 1229 full-flex n 1/8000s 12.0/s n Y
16.
 
Sony A992359 Y3.0 / 1229 full-flex n 1/8000s 6.0/s n Y
17.
 
Sony A850optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/8000s 3.0/s n Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
padding

One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The V3 has one, while the A900 does not. While the built-in flash of the V3 is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the V3 is one of those camera that have an additional electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Nikon 1 V3 has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

The V3 writes its imaging data to micro SDXC cards, while the A900 uses Compact Flash or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards. The A900 features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the V3 only has one slot.

ad

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Nikon 1 V3 and Sony Alpha A900 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

scroll hint
Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Nikon 1 V3-stereo / monoY-mini2.0Y--
2.
 
Sony A900Y- / ---mini2.0---
3.
 
Canon G5 XYstereo / mono--mini2.0YY-
4.
 
Canon 100DYmono / monoY-mini2.0---
5.
 
Canon 5D Mark IIYmono / monoY-mini2.0---
6.
 
Fujifilm X-T10Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y--
7.
 
Fujifilm X-M1Ystereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
8.
 
Nikon D5500Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0Y--
9.
 
Nikon 1 J4-stereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
10.
 
Nikon 1 V2-stereo / mono--mini2.0---
11.
 
Nikon 1 V1-stereo / mono--mini2.0---
12.
 
Panasonic S1Ystereo / monoYYfull3.1Y-Y
13.
 
Panasonic G6Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
14.
 
Panasonic GF6-stereo / mono--mini2.0YY-
15.
 
Sony A99 IIYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YYY
16.
 
Sony A99Ystereo / monoYYmini2.0---
17.
 
Sony A850Y- / ---mini2.0---
padding

It is notable that the V3 offers wifi support, while the A900 does not. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Sony A900 (unlike the V3) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Both the V3 and the A900 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The A900 was replaced by the Sony A99, while the V3 does not have a direct successor. Further information on the features and operation of the V3 and A900 can be found, respectively, in the Nikon 1 V3 Manual (free pdf) or the online Sony A900 Manual.

ad

Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is the Nikon 1 V3 better than the Sony A900 or vice versa? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

ilogo

Reasons to prefer the Nikon 1 V3:

  • Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
  • Broader imaging potential: Can record not only still images but also 1080/60p movies.
  • Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1037k vs 922k dots).
  • More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
  • Fewer buttons to press: Is equipped with a touch-sensitive rear screen to facilitate handling.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (60 vs 5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
  • Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
  • More compact: Is smaller (111x65mm vs 156x117mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
  • Less heavy: Is lighter (by 514g or 57 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
  • More legacy lens friendly: Can take a broad range of non-native lenses via adapters.
  • Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
  • Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (73 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More modern: Reflects 5 years and 6 months of technical progress since the A900 launch.

ilogo

Arguments in favor of the Sony Alpha A900:

  • More detail: Has more megapixels (24.4 vs 18.2MP), which boosts linear resolution by 16%.
  • Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
  • Better image quality: Scores substantially higher (27 points) in the DXO overall evaluation.
  • Richer colors: Generates noticeably more natural colors (2.9 bits more color depth).
  • More dynamic range: Captures a broader range of light and dark details (1.6 EV of extra DR).
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Can shoot in dim conditions (1.9 stops ISO advantage).
  • Easier framing: Has an optical viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
  • Easier setting verification: Features a control panel on top to check shooting parameters.
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (880 versus 310) out of a single battery charge.
  • Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
  • Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
  • Better lighting: Features a hotshoe and can thus hold and trigger an external flash gun.
  • Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
  • Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in September 2008).

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the match-up finishes in a tie (16 points each). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

V3 16:16 A900

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Nikon 1 V3 and the Sony A900 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera and Best DSLR Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the V3 or the A900. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

scroll hint
Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon 1 V33/5....76/1004.5/54/5 Mar 2014 799ebay.com
2.
 
Sony A900..+ +..+ +4.5/55/5 Sep 2008 2,999ebay.com
3.
 
Canon G5 X5/5+ +..78/1004.5/54.5/5 Oct 2015 799ebay.com
4.
 
Canon 100D4/5+..78/1004/54/5 Mar 2013 549ebay.com
5.
 
Canon 5D Mark II4/591/100..79/1004/5.. Sep 2008 3,499ebay.com
6.
 
Fujifilm X-T104.5/5+ +..80/1005/55/5 May 2015 799ebay.com
7.
 
Fujifilm X-M13/5+..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2013 699ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D55005/5+..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Jan 2015 899ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon 1 J43/5......4.5/54/5 Apr 2014 549ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon 1 V23/5......4.5/54/5 Oct 2012 799ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon 1 V1..+..69/1004.5/54/5 Sep 2011 799ebay.com
12.
 
Panasonic S14.5/5+ +4.5/588/1004.5/54/5 Feb 2019 2,499 amazon.com
13.
 
Panasonic G64/5+ +....5/54.5/5 Apr 2013 599ebay.com
14.
 
Panasonic GF6..+ +....4.5/54.5/5 Apr 2013 499ebay.com
15.
 
Sony A99 II....4.5/585/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2016 3,199ebay.com
16.
 
Sony A995/5....84/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2012 2,799ebay.com
17.
 
Sony A8503/5....75/100..4.5/5 Aug 2009 1,999ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
padding

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

logo
Check V3 offers at
ebay.com
logo
Check A900 offers at
ebay.com

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just use the search menu below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

~
    loader
    ad

    Specifications: Nikon 1 V3 vs Sony A900

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Nikon 1 V3 Sony A900
    Camera Type Mirrorless system camera Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Nikon 1 mount lenses Sony A mount lenses
    Launch Date March 2014 September 2008
    Launch Price USD 799 USD 2,999
    Sensor Specs Nikon 1 V3 Sony A900
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format 1" Sensor Full Frame Sensor
    Sensor Size 13.2 x 8.8 mm 35.9 x 24.0 mm
    Sensor Area 116.16 mm2 861.6 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 15.9 mm 43.2 mm
    Crop Factor 2.7x 1.0x
    Sensor Resolution 18.2 Megapixels 24.4 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 5232 x 3488 pixels 6048 x 4032 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 2.52 μm 5.94 μm
    Pixel Density 15.71 MP/cm2 2.83 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 1080/60p Video no Video
    ISO Setting 160 - 12,800 ISO 200 - 3,200 ISO
    ISO Boost no Enhancement 100 - 6,400 ISO
    Image Processor EXPEED 4 BIONZ
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 52 79
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 20.8 23.7
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 10.7 12.3
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 384 1431
    Screen Specs Nikon 1 V3 Sony A900
    Viewfinder Type Viewfinder optional Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.74x
    Top-Level Screen no Top Display Control Panel
    LCD Framing Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 1037k dots 922k dots
    LCD Attachment Tilting screen Fixed screen
    Touch Input Touchscreen no Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Nikon 1 V3 Sony A900
    Focus System On-Sensor Phase-detect Phase-detect AF
    Continuous Shooting 60 shutter flaps/s 5 shutter flaps/s
    Electronic Shutterup to 1/16000sno E-Shutter
    Time-Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer built-inno Intervalometer
    Image StabilizationLens stabilization onlyIn-body stabilization
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium mSDXC cards CF or MS cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Dual card slots
    Connectivity Specs Nikon 1 V3 Sony A900
    External Flash no Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash no PC Sync PC Sync socket
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI mini HDMI
    Microphone Port External MIC port no MIC socket
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in no Wifi
    Body Specs Nikon 1 V3 Sony A900
    Environmental Sealingnot weather sealedWeathersealed body
    Battery Type Nikon EN-EL20a Sony NP-FM500H
    Battery Life (CIPA)310 shots per charge880 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 111 x 65 x 33 mm
    (4.4 x 2.6 x 1.3 in)
    156 x 117 x 82 mm
    (6.1 x 4.6 x 3.2 in)
    Camera Weight 381 g (13.4 oz) 895 g (31.6 oz)
    logo
    Check V3 offers at
    ebay.com
    logo
    Check A900 offers at
    ebay.com

    Did you notice an error on this page? If so, please get in touch, so that we can correct the information.

    You are here Home  »  CAM-parator  »  Nikon 1 V3 vs Sony A900