Nikon D3200 vs Sony A390
67 Imaging
63 Features
63 Overall
63


66 Imaging
54 Features
54 Overall
54
Nikon D3200 vs Sony A390 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Boost to 12800)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 505g - 125 x 96 x 77mm
- Released July 2012
- Older Model is Nikon D3100
- Newer Model is Nikon D3300
(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
- Launched July 2010
- Earlier Model is Sony A380

Nikon D3200 vs Sony A390 Overview
Lets look a bit more in depth at the Nikon D3200 and Sony A390, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. There exists a crucial gap among the resolutions of the D3200 (24MP) and A390 (14MP) but they come with the exact same sensor sizing (APS-C).

The D3200 was announced 2 years later than the A390 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact SLR).
Before diving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple overview of how the D3200 scores versus the A390 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Nikon D3200 vs Sony A390 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon D3200 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A390. The whole galleries are available at Nikon D3200 Gallery and Sony A390 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D3200 over the Sony A390
D3200 | A390 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | July 2012 | ![]() | July 2010 | More recent by 25 months |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+691k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Nikon D3200
A390 | D3200 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Common features in the Nikon D3200 and Sony A390
D3200 | A390 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very exact focus | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lack of Touch screen |
Nikon D3200 vs Sony A390 Physical Comparison
If you are intending to lug around your camera frequently, you have to think about its weight and size. The Nikon D3200 has got outer measurements of 125mm x 96mm x 77mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") and a weight of 505 grams (1.11 lbs) whilst the Sony A390 has specifications of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") along with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).
Contrast the Nikon D3200 and Sony A390 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the D3200 against the A390.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D3200 and A390 is 67 and 66 respectively.

Nikon D3200 vs Sony A390 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is difficult to imagine the gap in sensor measurements merely by going through technical specs. The photograph below will give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the D3200 and A390.
As you have seen, both of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You should expect the Nikon D3200 to provide greater detail with its extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs much more aggressively. The more recent D3200 should have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon D3200 vs Sony A390 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3200 vs Sony A390 Specifications
Nikon D3200 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Nikon | Sony |
Model type | Nikon D3200 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 |
Category | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Released | 2012-07-25 | 2010-07-28 |
Physical type | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Expeed 3 | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 23.2 x 15.4mm | 23.5 x 15.7mm |
Sensor area | 357.3mm² | 369.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 24MP | 14MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 6016 x 4000 | 4592 x 3056 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Maximum enhanced ISO | 12800 | - |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 9 |
Cross type focus points | 1 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Nikon F | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Number of lenses | 309 | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.6 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen diagonal | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Resolution of screen | 921 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen tech | TFT LCD with 160� viewing angle | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95% | 95% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.53x | 0.49x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 4.0fps | 3.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 10.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash settings | Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/200s | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) | - |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | - |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Optional | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 505g (1.11 pounds) | 549g (1.21 pounds) |
Dimensions | 125 x 96 x 77mm (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 rating | 81 | 66 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 24.1 | 22.5 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 13.2 | 11.5 |
DXO Low light rating | 1131 | 607 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 540 pictures | 230 pictures |
Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | EN-EL14 | NP-FH50 |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I compliant | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Launch price | $530 | $500 |