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Nikon D5100 vs Sony A390

Portability
66
Imaging
56
Features
81
Overall
66
Nikon D5100 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A390 Key Specs

Nikon D5100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Raise to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 560g - 128 x 97 x 79mm
  • Revealed April 2011
  • Succeeded the Nikon D5000
  • Later Model is Nikon D5200
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
  • Announced July 2010
  • Older Model is Sony A380
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Nikon D5100 vs Sony A390 Overview

Its time to look much closer at the Nikon D5100 versus Sony A390, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by companies Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the D5100 (16MP) and the A390 (14MP) is relatively similar and both cameras boast the identical sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The D5100 was launched 10 months later than the A390 and they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before going right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick summary of how the D5100 grades against the A390 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D5100 over the Sony A390

 D5100 A390 
AnnouncedApril 2011July 2010Fresher by 10 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Nikon D5100

 A390 D5100 

Common features in the Nikon D5100 and Sony A390

 D5100 A390 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A390 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need to take into account its weight and volume. The Nikon D5100 has got exterior dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") and a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs) while the Sony A390 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

See the Nikon D5100 versus Sony A390 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using at that moment. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the D5100 against the A390.

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A390 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D5100 and A390 is 66 and 66 respectively.

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A390 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A390 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be hard to picture the contrast between sensor sizing simply by reading technical specs. The graphic below will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the D5100 and A390.

As you have seen, both of those cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Nikon D5100 to deliver greater detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The younger D5100 provides an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A390 sensor size comparison

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A390 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D5100 vs Sony A390 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D5100 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A390 as a Portrait photography camera
73
has manual focus
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
supports RAW files
72
manual focus
resolution is good (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detect focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D5100 Street photography info
Sony A390 Street photography info
67
fully articulated screen
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
76
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D5100 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A390 as a Sports photography camera
63
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has tracking focus
better than average battery pack (660 per charge)
comes with phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
low frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
low battery life (230 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D5100 Travel photography advice
Sony A390 Travel photography advice
77
better than average battery pack (660 shots)
good MP (16MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
53
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse mode
low battery life (230 per charge)
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D5100 Landscape photography info
Sony A390 Landscape photography info
72
has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
better than average battery pack (660 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
61
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
low battery life (230 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D5100
Vlogging with Sony A390
69
selfie friendly display
has face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have microphone socket
lack of image stabilization
9
can't shoot video
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Nikon D5100 vs Sony A390 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D5100 and Sony A390
 Nikon D5100Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D5100 Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2011-04-26 2010-07-28
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 2 Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 370.5mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4928 x 3264 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Highest enhanced ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 9
Cross focus points 1 -
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Tilting
Display diagonal 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 921k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.52x 0.49x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest 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
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format MPEG-4 -
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 560 gr (1.23 pounds) 549 gr (1.21 pounds)
Physical dimensions 128 x 97 x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 80 66
DXO Color Depth score 23.5 22.5
DXO Dynamic range score 13.6 11.5
DXO Low light score 1183 607
Other
Battery life 660 photos 230 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL14 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $0 $500