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Panasonic S1 vs Sony A390

Portability
54
Imaging
75
Features
84
Overall
78
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54

Panasonic S1 vs Sony A390 Key Specs

Panasonic S1
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 1021g - 149 x 110 x 97mm
  • Announced February 2019
Sony A390
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Display
  • 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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Panasonic S1 vs Sony A390 Overview

The following is a extended analysis of the Panasonic S1 versus Sony A390, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Sony. There is a significant difference between the image resolutions of the S1 (24MP) and A390 (14MP) and the S1 (Full frame) and A390 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor dimensions.

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The S1 was revealed 8 years after the A390 which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Panasonic S1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A390 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving into a complete comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the S1 scores against the A390 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Sony A390

 S1 A390 
AnnouncedFebruary 2019July 2010Newer by 104 months
Display dimensions3.2"2.7"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution2100k230kCrisper display (+1870k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Panasonic S1

 A390 S1 

Common features in the Panasonic S1 and Sony A390

 S1 A390 
Focus manually More precise focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Panasonic S1 vs Sony A390 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera frequently, you should take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic S1 provides exterior dimensions of 149mm x 110mm x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8") having a weight of 1021 grams (2.25 lbs) and the Sony A390 has specifications of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") having a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic S1 versus Sony A390 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you choose at that time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the S1 and the A390.

Panasonic S1 vs Sony A390 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the S1 and A390 is 54 and 66 respectively.

Panasonic S1 vs Sony A390 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Sony A390 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very hard to visualise the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by going over technical specs. The pic here will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the S1 and A390.

As you can tell, both cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The S1 using its larger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field easier and the Panasonic S1 will deliver extra detail because of its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop images more aggressively. The fresher S1 will have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic S1 vs Sony A390 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Sony A390 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S1 vs Sony A390 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic S1
Portrait photography with Sony A390
85
manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/320 seconds)
good MP (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
has face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
72
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S1 Street photography advice
Sony A390 Street photography advice
70
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
features touch focus
environment proof
above average ISO range (51,200)
more heavy than competitors in class (1,021 grams)
76
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S1 Sports photography factors
Sony A390 Sports photography factors
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shooting (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking focus
environment proof
bad battery pack (380 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
bad battery life (230 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A390 as a Travel photography camera
59
environment proof
has bluetooth
features touch focus
good MP (24MP)
bad battery pack (380 CIPA)
more heavy than competitors in class (1,021g)
display is not selfie friendly
53
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse function
bad battery life (230 CIPA)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S1 Landscape photography advice
Sony A390 Landscape photography advice
81
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Leica L mount)
screen is a good size (3.2 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
does not have anti aliasing filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
two card slots
bad battery pack (380 CIPA)
61
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen is small (2.7 inches)
bad battery life (230 per charge)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A390 as a Vlogging camera
32
touch screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
comes with microphone socket
display is not selfie friendly
more heavy than competitors in class (1,021 grams)
9
can't record video
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Panasonic S1 vs Sony A390 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S1 and Sony A390
 Panasonic Lumix DC-S1Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2019-02-01 2010-07-28
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 35.6 x 23.8mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 847.3mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 6000 x 4000 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 51200 3200
Max enhanced ISO 204800 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Min enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 225 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Leica L Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 30 143
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen diagonal 3.2" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 2,100k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 5,760k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x 0.49x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/8000s -
Continuous shutter rate 9.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/320s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM -
Max video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264, H.265 -
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes (can be charged with high-power laptop/tablet chargers or portable power banks) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1021 grams (2.25 lb) 549 grams (1.21 lb)
Physical dimensions 149 x 110 x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 95 66
DXO Color Depth score 25.2 22.5
DXO Dynamic range score 14.5 11.5
DXO Low light score 3333 607
Other
Battery life 380 pictures 230 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage - SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots 2 1
Launch price $2,498 $500