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Nikon D3500 vs Sony A390

Portability
72
Imaging
69
Features
70
Overall
69
Nikon D3500 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A390 Key Specs

Nikon D3500
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 365g - 124 x 97 x 70mm
  • Released August 2018
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D3400
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
  • Released July 2010
  • Replaced the Sony A380
Photography Glossary

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A390 Overview

Here is a extensive review of the Nikon D3500 versus Sony A390, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. There exists a crucial gap between the image resolutions of the D3500 (24MP) and A390 (14MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The D3500 was introduced 8 years later than the A390 and that is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before going in to a thorough comparison, below is a simple summation of how the D3500 grades vs the A390 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3500 over the Sony A390

 D3500 A390 
ReleasedAugust 2018July 2010Fresher by 99 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Nikon D3500

 A390 D3500 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Nikon D3500 and Sony A390

 D3500 A390 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A390 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry your camera often, you will want to take into account its weight and volume. The Nikon D3500 provides exterior measurements of 124mm x 97mm x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 365 grams (0.80 lbs) while the Sony A390 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Look at the Nikon D3500 versus Sony A390 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have during that time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the D3500 and the A390.

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A390 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D3500 and A390 is 72 and 66 respectively.

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A390 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A390 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is hard to picture the difference between sensor sizing merely by reading a spec sheet. The graphic here will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the D3500 and A390.

As you can see, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You should expect the Nikon D3500 to offer extra detail using its extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The younger D3500 should have an advantage in sensor technology.

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A390 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A390 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A390 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3500 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A390 as a Portrait photography camera
81
you can focus manually
good megapixels (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection focusing
exports RAW files
72
has manual focus
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3500 Street photography features
Sony A390 Street photography features
69
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lighter than others (365g)
good ISO range (25,600)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
76
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3500 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A390 as a Sports photography camera
70
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
great battery power (1,550 shots)
has phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
60
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
bad battery life (230 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3500 Travel photography features
Sony A390 Travel photography features
71
great battery power (1,550 per charge)
lighter than others (365g)
supports bluetooth
good megapixels (24MP)
flash built-in
no Time Lapse function
doesn't have selfie friendly display
53
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse mode
bad battery life (230 CIPA)
does not have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3500 Landscape photography information
Sony A390 Landscape photography information
75
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a good size (3")
good megapixels (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
great battery power (1,550 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
no Time Lapse function
61
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is small (2.7 inches)
bad battery life (230 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3500 Vlogging info
Sony A390 Vlogging info
31
offers face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (365g)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
no external mic jack
9
can't shoot video
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Nikon D3500 vs Sony A390 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3500 and Sony A390
 Nikon D3500Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon D3500 Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2018-08-29 2010-07-28
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 4 Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 6000 x 4000 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 25600 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 921k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.49x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, Auto slow sync, Auto slow sync with red-eye reduction, Auto with red-eye reduction, Fill-flash, Off, Rear-curtain sync, Rear-curtain with slow sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Slow sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 365g (0.80 pounds) 549g (1.21 pounds)
Dimensions 124 x 97 x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 66
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.5
DXO Low light rating not tested 607
Other
Battery life 1550 photographs 230 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL14a NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs (1-9 exposures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots One One
Retail cost $397 $500