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Nikon D3100 vs Sony A390

Portability
68
Imaging
54
Features
59
Overall
56
Nikon D3100 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A390 Key Specs

Nikon D3100
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Raise to 12800)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 505g - 124 x 96 x 75mm
  • Introduced December 2010
  • Replaced the Nikon D3000
  • Renewed by Nikon D3200
Sony A390
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Revealed July 2010
  • Older Model is Sony A380
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Nikon D3100 vs Sony A390 Overview

Here, we will be looking at the Nikon D3100 vs Sony A390, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. The image resolution of the D3100 (14MP) and the A390 (14MP) is pretty similar and both cameras provide the identical sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The D3100 was introduced 5 months later than the A390 so they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before going into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple summation of how the D3100 grades versus the A390 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3100 over the Sony A390

 D3100 A390 
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Nikon D3100

 A390 D3100 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Nikon D3100 and Sony A390

 D3100 A390 
RevealedDecember 2010July 2010Similar age
Manually focus More precise focus
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A390 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D3100 comes with exterior dimensions of 124mm x 96mm x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") along with a weight of 505 grams (1.11 lbs) and the Sony A390 has dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Look at the Nikon D3100 vs Sony A390 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the D3100 vs the A390.

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A390 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the D3100 and A390 is 68 and 66 respectively.

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A390 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A390 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to see the gap between sensor sizing only by reading technical specs. The visual here will provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the D3100 and A390.

As you can tell, each of the cameras feature the identical sensor size and the exact same megapixels so you can expect similar quality of files but you really should factor the age of the products into consideration.

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A390 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A390 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A390 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3100 Portrait photography information
Sony A390 Portrait photography information
72
has manual focus
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
exports RAW files
72
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3100 Street photography details
Sony A390 Street photography details
58
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
76
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D3100
Sports photography with Sony A390
60
megapixel count good (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
has phase detect AF
max fps low (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
60
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
low frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
not so great battery pack (230 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3100 Travel photography highlights
Sony A390 Travel photography highlights
58
megapixel count good (14MP)
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse function
doesn't have selfie friendly display
53
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
not so great battery pack (230 shots)
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D3100
Landscape photography with Sony A390
65
has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
lack of Timelapse function
61
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
small screen (2.7")
not so great battery pack (230 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3100 Vlogging highlights
Sony A390 Vlogging highlights
27
includes face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
lack of microphone jack
9
lack of video recording
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Nikon D3100 vs Sony A390 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3100 and Sony A390
 Nikon D3100Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D3100 Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2010-12-21 2010-07-28
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 2 Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.1 x 15.4mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 355.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3072 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Highest enhanced ISO 12800 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 9
Cross focus points 1 -
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 309 143
Crop factor 1.6 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.49x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/200s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format MPEG-4 -
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 505 grams (1.11 lbs) 549 grams (1.21 lbs)
Physical dimensions 124 x 96 x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 67 66
DXO Color Depth score 22.5 22.5
DXO Dynamic range score 11.3 11.5
DXO Low light score 919 607
Other
Battery life 550 shots 230 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL14 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $565 $500