Sony A99 has a
24.0MP Full frame (35.8 x 23.8 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Bionz processor. On the other hand, Nikon D3X has a
25.0MP Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Expeed processor.
Below you can see the A99 and D3X sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Sony A99 and Nikon D3X Cameras
Sony A99 and Nikon D3X have almost the same sensor size, so neither of them has any significant advantage over the other in terms of providing control over depth of field when used with the same focal length and aperture.
DxOMark Sensor Scores
Both Sony A99 and Nikon D3X sensors have been tested by DxoMark. DxoMark scores camera sensors for color depth (DXO Portrait), dynamic range (DXO Landscape) and low-light sensitivity (DXO Sports), and also gives them an overall score. Of the two cameras that we are comparing, A99 has scored 89, 1 points higher than D3X.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Sony A99
89
25.0 bits
14.0 Evs
1555 ISO
Nikon D3X
88
24.7 bits
13.7 Evs
1992 ISO
Sensor size sets the circle of confusion, so it drives how much depth of field each
of these bodies gives you at a given aperture. You can calculate it exactly for the
Sony A99
or the
Nikon D3X ,
including hyperfocal distance.