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Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony A390

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
56
Overall
46
Nikon 1 J1 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony A390 Key Specs

Nikon 1 J1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 234g - 106 x 61 x 30mm
  • Revealed January 2012
  • Refreshed by Nikon 1 J2
Sony A390
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Revealed July 2010
  • Succeeded the Sony A380
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Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony A390 Overview

Below, we are reviewing the Nikon 1 J1 and Sony A390, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Nikon and Sony. There is a sizable difference among the sensor resolutions of the 1 J1 (10MP) and A390 (14MP) and the 1 J1 (1") and A390 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor size.

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The 1 J1 was manufactured 19 months later than the A390 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. The two cameras come with different body type with the Nikon 1 J1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A390 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving through a in depth comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the 1 J1 matches up vs the A390 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J1 over the Sony A390

 1 J1 A390 
RevealedJanuary 2012July 2010More recent by 19 months
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Nikon 1 J1

 A390 1 J1 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Nikon 1 J1 and Sony A390

 1 J1 A390 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony A390 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to lug around your camera, you have to factor its weight and volume. The Nikon 1 J1 features outside measurements of 106mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2") along with a weight of 234 grams (0.52 lbs) and the Sony A390 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") along with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Check the Nikon 1 J1 and Sony A390 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the 1 J1 compared to the A390.

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony A390 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the 1 J1 and A390 is 91 and 66 respectively.

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony A390 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony A390 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be hard to see the gap in sensor measurements purely by viewing technical specs. The visual here should offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the 1 J1 and A390.

As you can tell, both of the cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The 1 J1 because of its smaller sensor will make shooting shallower DOF more difficult and the Sony A390 will provide you with more detail due to its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The fresher 1 J1 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony A390 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony A390 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony A390 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A390 as a Portrait photography camera
48
you can focus manually
sensor size is decent (1")
saves RAW files
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
72
manual focus
decent MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon 1 J1
Street photography with Sony A390
69
sensor size is decent (1")
saves RAW files
lighter than average (234g)
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
76
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon 1 J1
Sports photography with Sony A390
48
silent shutter (1/16,000s)
sensor size is decent (1")
features tracking focus
comes with phase detect AF
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
terrible battery (230 CIPA)
60
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
max fps low (3.0 frames per second)
bad battery power (230 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A390 as a Travel photography camera
60
lighter than average (234g)
has built in flash
terrible battery (230 CIPA)
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
53
decent MP (14MP)
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse recording
bad battery power (230 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 Landscape photography factors
Sony A390 Landscape photography factors
56
you can focus manually
change lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
sensor size is decent (1")
saves RAW files
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
terrible battery (230 CIPA)
61
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen is small (2.7")
bad battery power (230 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 Vlogging info
Sony A390 Vlogging info
30
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (234 grams)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
does not have mic jack
9
can't shoot video
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Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony A390 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 J1 and Sony A390
 Nikon 1 J1Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon 1 J1 Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2012-01-20 2010-07-28
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 13.2 x 8.8mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 116.2mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3872 x 2592 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 135 9
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon 1 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 13 143
Focal length multiplier 2.7 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.49x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Highest silent shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/60 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 1072 x 720 (60 fps) 640 x 240 (400), 320 x 120 (1200) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 234g (0.52 lbs) 549g (1.21 lbs)
Dimensions 106 x 61 x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 56 66
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 22.5
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.0 11.5
DXO Low light rating 372 607
Other
Battery life 230 photos 230 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL20 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $625 $500