Nikon D3s vs Nikon Z50

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D3s and Nikon Z50. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Nikon D3s

Nikon Z50

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon D3s were released 2009 and Nikon Z50 was released 2019. That is a 10 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera	Released
Nikon D3s	2009
Nikon Z50	2019

Type of camera

Nikon D3s is a DSLR camera while Nikon Z50 is a Mirrorless camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D3s has a "Nikon FX"-sensor while Nikon Z50 has a "Nikon DX"-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 **
Nikon D3s	50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon Z50	75 mm Nikon DX sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** 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:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Nikon D3s has a 12,1 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon Z50 has 21 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera	Megapixels
Nikon D3s	12,1 MP 12052992 pixels 4256 x 2832
Nikon Z50	21 MP 20668416 pixels 5568 x 3712

Nikon Z50 has a 71 % larger resolution than Nikon D3s. 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 D3s has a larger ISO-range than Nikon Z50. Nikon D3s has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 102400 while Nikon Z50 has 100 to 51200.

Camera	ISO Range
Nikon D3s	200-102400
Nikon Z50	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 Nikon D3s
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon Z50

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D3s can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds and Nikon Z50 can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds.

Camera	FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D3s	11
Nikon Z50	11

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon D3s and Nikon Z50 can shoot movies.

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.

Nikon D3s weighs 1240 gr (equal to 2.73 lb) which is 176% heavier than Nikon Z50 and its 450 gr (or 0.99 lb).

Camera	Weight
Nikon D3s	1240 gr 2.73 lb
Nikon Z50	450 gr 0.99 lb