Decision tools · Compare
D3S vs A6100
Quick take: The A6100 has the highest resolution at 24MP; the D3S is the most affordable; only the D3S is weather sealed.
16 specs side by side·15 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
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Verdictwhich should you buy?
A6100 — Beginner, Family, Travel: Best autofocus in its class for the price.
Who should buy what
A6100 (2019)
is the right camera for you if…
- First-time mirrorless buyers who want solid AF
- Families stepping up from a smartphone
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | D3SNikon · 2009 | A6100Sony · 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £268Best | £649 |
| Sensor | 12.1MP full-frame CMOS | APS-C Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 12.1MP | 24.2MPBest |
| Video | 720p/24 | 4K 30fps |
| Autofocus | 51-point phase-detect (15 cross-type) via viewfinder; contrast AF in live view (tripod mode) | 425-point phase-detect, real-time tracking |
| Stabilisation | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | No stabilisation |
| Burst Rate | 9fps | 11fpsBest |
| Battery Life | ~4200 shots (CIPA)Best | 420 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 1420g (with battery) | 396g (body only)Best |
| Dimensions | 159.5 × 157 × 87.5mm | 119.9 × 66.9 × 59.4mm |
| Weather Sealed | YesBest | Not weather sealed |
| Viewfinder | Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.7x | EVF 0.39" 1.44M-dot |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed LCD, 920k dots | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 921k-dot |
| Mount | Nikon F mount | Sony E-Mount |
| Memory Cards | Dual CompactFlash slots | SD UHS-I / Memory Stick |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0, mini HDMI, 3.5mm mic jack, 10-pin remote | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, Micro USB, Micro HDMI |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
D3S
A6100
Portrait
5.5/10
6.7/10
Street
3.7/10
7.3/10
Travel
3.8/10
6.2/10
Wedding & Events
6.5/10
5.1/10
Documentary
4.4/10
5.2/10
Sports & Action
6.2/10
6.5/10
Landscape
4.6/10
4.9/10
Wildlife
6.0/10
6.9/10
Casual
2.0/10
6.4/10
Food
3.5/10
6.2/10
Macro
3.1/10
5.2/10
Architecture
4.1/10
5.5/10
Astrophotography
6.6/10
6.0/10
Vlogging & Video
—
5.9/10
Filmmaking
—
4.9/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
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