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Nikon D5500 vs Sony A390

Portability
71
Imaging
66
Features
85
Overall
73
Nikon D5500 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54

Nikon D5500 vs Sony A390 Key Specs

Nikon D5500
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 420g - 124 x 97 x 70mm
  • Introduced January 2015
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D5300
  • Updated by Nikon D5600
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
  • Succeeded the Sony A380
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Nikon D5500 vs Sony A390 Overview

Its time to examine more closely at the Nikon D5500 versus Sony A390, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. There is a noticeable difference between the resolutions of the D5500 (24MP) and A390 (14MP) but they use the same exact sensor size (APS-C).

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The D5500 was launched 4 years later than the A390 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before delving in to a in depth comparison, below is a quick overview of how the D5500 grades vs the A390 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D5500 over the Sony A390

 D5500 A390 
AnnouncedJanuary 2015July 2010Fresher by 55 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3.2"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1037k230kCrisper screen (+807k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Nikon D5500

 A390 D5500 

Common features in the Nikon D5500 and Sony A390

 D5500 A390 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing

Nikon D5500 vs Sony A390 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera often, you will need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D5500 has got outer measurements of 124mm x 97mm x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 420 grams (0.93 lbs) while the Sony A390 has dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon D5500 versus Sony A390 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using at the time. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the D5500 versus the A390.

Nikon D5500 vs Sony A390 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the D5500 and A390 is 71 and 66 respectively.

Nikon D5500 vs Sony A390 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D5500 vs Sony A390 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizing just by going over a spec sheet. The photograph here will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the D5500 and A390.

Clearly, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Nikon D5500 to deliver more detail utilizing its extra 10MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs a little more aggressively. The younger D5500 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon D5500 vs Sony A390 sensor size comparison

Nikon D5500 vs Sony A390 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D5500 vs Sony A390 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D5500
Portrait photography with Sony A390
79
you can focus manually
good resolution (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
supports RAW files
72
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D5500 Street photography highlights
Sony A390 Street photography highlights
75
screen articulates
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
provides focus via touch
lighter than competition (420g)
above average high ISO (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
76
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D5500 Sports photography advice
Sony A390 Sports photography advice
68
good resolution (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
better than average battery pack (820 shots)
comes with phase detect AF
slow fps (5.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
60
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
max fps very slow (3.0 frames/s)
terrible battery pack (230 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D5500
Travel photography with Sony A390
81
better than average battery pack (820 per charge)
lighter than competition (420 grams)
provides focus via touch
good resolution (24MP)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
53
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
no Timelapse function
terrible battery pack (230 CIPA)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D5500 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A390 as a Landscape photography camera
78
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
good resolution (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
above average high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
better than average battery pack (820 shots)
does not have image stabilization
61
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
terrible battery pack (230 shots)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D5500 Vlogging info
Sony A390 Vlogging info
75
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen capability
provides face detection focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external mic socket
lighter than competition (420g)
does not have image stabilization
9
no video shooting
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Nikon D5500 vs Sony A390 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D5500 and Sony A390
 Nikon D5500Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon D5500 Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2015-01-06 2010-07-28
Body design 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 surface area 366.6mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 6000 x 4000 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 25600 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 39 9
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 309 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen sizing 3.2" 2.7"
Screen resolution 1,037k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x 0.49x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 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
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/200 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 420 grams (0.93 lb) 549 grams (1.21 lb)
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 84 66
DXO Color Depth rating 24.1 22.5
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.0 11.5
DXO Low light rating 1438 607
Other
Battery life 820 shots 230 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL14,EN-EL14a NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $700 $500