Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro vs Sony a9

This is a full comparison between the cameras Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro and Sony a9. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro is manufacturered by Fujifilm but Sony a9 is from Sony. Both Fujifilm and Sony are well known brands though.

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro were released 2004 and Sony a9 was released 2017. That is a 13 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro 2004
Sony a9 2017

Type of camera

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro is a DSLR camera while Sony a9 is a Mirrorless camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro has a "Fujifilm APS-C"-sensor while Sony a9 has a "Sony Full Frame"-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
Sony a9 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 Sony a9 has 24 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
Sony a9 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000

Sony a9 has a 98 % 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

Sony a9 has a larger ISO-range than Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro. Sony a9 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro has 100 to 1600.

Camera ISO Range
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro 100-1600
Sony a9 100-51200

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 Sony a9

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 Sony a9 can shoot up to 20 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro 1,5
Sony a9 20

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 Sony a9. 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 38% heavier than Sony a9 and its 673 gr (or 1.48 lb).

Camera Weight
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro 930 gr
2.05 lb
Sony a9 673 gr
1.48 lb

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro vs Sony a9 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro and Sony a9, 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
Sony a9
Name Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro Sony a9
Manufacturer Fujifilm Sony
Release Date and Price
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Sony a9
Release Year 2004 2017
Release Date 2004-02-05 2017-04-19
MSRP N/A 4499 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Sony a9
Camera Type DSLR Mirrorless
Sensor
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Sony a9
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)
Sensor Type CCD Stacked CMOS
Resolution 4256 x 2848 pixels 6000 x 4000 pixels
Megapixels 6 MP 24 MP
Image Processor Bionz X
Image
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Sony a9
ISO Range 100 - 1600 100 - 51200
White Balance Presets 7 10
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No Yes
(Sensor-Shift (5-axis))
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Sony a9
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points N/A 693
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Sony E

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
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
Sony a9
Articulated LCD N/A Tilting
Screen size 2” 3”
Screen dots 235000 1440000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type N/A TFT LCD
Live view No Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 94% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.78x
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 3686400
Photography features
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Sony a9
Frames per second 1,5 fps 20 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 15 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Average
Exposure Compensation N/A +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Sony a9
Video recording No Yes
Video format N/A MPEG4
H.264
AVCHD
Video resolution N/A 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone No Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Sony a9
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Sony a9
HDMI Output No Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless No Yes
Built-in (802.11/b/g/n with NFC)
Remote Control Yes (Optional) Yes (Wired or wireless)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Sony a9
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FZ100
Battery Life (CIPA) N/A 650 shots
Width 148 mm 127 mm
Height 135 mm 96 mm
Depth 80 mm 63 mm
Weight 930 gram 673 gram