Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro vs Nikon D800

This is a full comparison between the cameras Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro and Nikon D800. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro is manufacturered by Fujifilm but Nikon D800 is from Nikon. Both Fujifilm and Nikon are well known brands though.

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro were released 2004 and Nikon D800 was released 2012. That is a 8 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro 2004
Nikon D800 2012

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro has a "Fujifilm APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D800 has a "Nikon FX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro 75 mm
Fujifilm sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon D800 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:

Resolution

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro has a 6 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D800 has 36,3 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro 6 MP
12121088 pixels
4256 x 2848
Nikon D800 36,3 MP
36152320 pixels
7360 x 4912

Nikon D800 has a 198 % larger resolution than Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Nikon D800 has a larger ISO-range than Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro. Nikon D800 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro has 100 to 1600.

Camera ISO Range
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro 100-1600
Nikon D800 100-25600

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D800

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro can shoot up to 1,5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D800 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro 1,5
Nikon D800 6

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

It is only one of these two cameras that support recording movies and movie clips and that is Nikon D800. Sadly, the Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro does not support this.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro weighs 930 gr (equal to 2.05 lb) which is 3% heavier than Nikon D800 and its 900 gr (or 1.98 lb).

Camera Weight
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro 930 gr
2.05 lb
Nikon D800 900 gr
1.98 lb

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro vs Nikon D800 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro and Nikon D800, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Nikon D800
Name Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro Nikon D800
Manufacturer Fujifilm Nikon
Release Date and Price
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Nikon D800
Release Year 2004 2012
Release Date 2004-02-05 2012-02-07
MSRP N/A 2999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Nikon D800
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Nikon D800
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CCD CMOS
Resolution 4256 x 2848 pixels 7360 x 4912 pixels
Megapixels 6 MP 36,3 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 3
Image
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Nikon D800
ISO Range 100 - 1600 100 - 25600
White Balance Presets 7 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Nikon D800
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points N/A 51
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
FX (Full frame)
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Nikon D800
Articulated LCD N/A Fixed
Screen size 2” 3,2”
Screen dots 235000 921000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle
Live view No Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 94% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Nikon D800
Frames per second 1,5 fps 6 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 15 meters 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Average
Exposure Compensation N/A +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps)
Videography features
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Nikon D800
Video recording No Yes
Video format N/A MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution N/A 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone No Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Nikon D800
Memory Card Compact Flash
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Nikon D800
HDMI Output No Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless No Yes
Optional with Nikon Wireless Transmitter for D800 (WT-4A)
Remote Control Yes (Optional) Yes (Optional, wired or wireless)
GPS No Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Nikon D800
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) N/A 900 shots
Width 148 mm 146 mm
Height 135 mm 123 mm
Depth 80 mm 82 mm
Weight 930 gram 900 gram