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Nikon D5000 vs Sony A390

Portability
65
Imaging
52
Features
50
Overall
51
Nikon D5000 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A390 Key Specs

Nikon D5000
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 590g - 127 x 104 x 80mm
  • Launched June 2009
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D60
  • Replacement is Nikon D5100
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
  • Earlier Model is Sony A380
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Nikon D5000 vs Sony A390 Overview

In this article, we will be evaluating the Nikon D5000 and Sony A390, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the D5000 (12MP) and the A390 (14MP) is relatively close and they feature the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The D5000 was released 13 months before the A390 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before delving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick view of how the D5000 matches up against the A390 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D5000 over the Sony A390

 D5000 A390 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Nikon D5000

 A390 D5000 
ReleasedJuly 2010June 2009More recent by 13 months

Common features in the Nikon D5000 and Sony A390

 D5000 A390 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Screen sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent screen measurement
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A390 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to lug around your camera often, you are going to need to think about its weight and size. The Nikon D5000 offers external measurements of 127mm x 104mm x 80mm (5.0" x 4.1" x 3.1") along with a weight of 590 grams (1.30 lbs) whilst the Sony A390 has specifications of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") and a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Look at the Nikon D5000 and Sony A390 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the D5000 vs the A390.

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A390 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the D5000 and A390 is 65 and 66 respectively.

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A390 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A390 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its difficult to see the difference in sensor measurements merely by viewing technical specs. The photograph here will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the D5000 and A390.

As you can tell, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Sony A390 to render greater detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures far more aggressively. The older D5000 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A390 sensor size comparison

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A390 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A390 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D5000 Portrait photography features
Sony A390 Portrait photography features
63
focusing manually
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers face detection focus
delivers RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
72
focusing manually
decent MP (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D5000 Street photography info
Sony A390 Street photography info
66
screen can move to multiple angles
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no image stabilization
76
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D5000 Sports photography details
Sony A390 Sports photography details
42
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (510 CIPA)
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
not so great battery power (230 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D5000
Travel photography with Sony A390
56
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
terrible battery life (510 shots)
MP count low (12MP)
53
decent MP (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
no Timelapse recording
not so great battery power (230 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D5000 Landscape photography advice
Sony A390 Landscape photography advice
52
focusing manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (510 per charge)
61
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
small screen (2.7")
not so great battery power (230 CIPA)
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D5000 Vlogging information
Sony A390 Vlogging information
52
screen is selfie friendly
offers face detection focus
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic port
9
no video
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Nikon D5000 vs Sony A390 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D5000 and Sony A390
 Nikon D5000Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon D5000 Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2009-06-12 2010-07-28
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4288 x 2848 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Max boosted ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen size 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.52x 0.49x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 4.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 17.00 m (at ISO 100) 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
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/200 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps), 320 x 216 (24 fps) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Microphone support
Headphone support
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 590g (1.30 lbs) 549g (1.21 lbs)
Dimensions 127 x 104 x 80mm (5.0" x 4.1" x 3.1") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 72 66
DXO Color Depth rating 22.7 22.5
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.5 11.5
DXO Low light rating 868 607
Other
Battery life 510 photos 230 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL9a NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC card SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $630 $500