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Panasonic S5 vs Sony A390

Portability
60
Imaging
76
Features
92
Overall
82
Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54

Panasonic S5 vs Sony A390 Key Specs

Panasonic S5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.0" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 714g - 133 x 97 x 82mm
  • Launched August 2020
  • Later Model is Panasonic S5 II
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
  • Introduced July 2010
  • Succeeded the Sony A380
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Panasonic S5 vs Sony A390 Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Panasonic S5 and Sony A390, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Sony. There is a considerable difference between the sensor resolutions of the S5 (24MP) and A390 (14MP) and the S5 (Full frame) and A390 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor measurements.

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The S5 was revealed 10 years later than the A390 and that is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic S5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A390 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick summary of how the S5 matches up versus the A390 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic S5 over the Sony A390

 S5 A390 
IntroducedAugust 2020July 2010More recent by 123 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen size3.0"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1840k230kClearer screen (+1610k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Panasonic S5

 A390 S5 

Common features in the Panasonic S5 and Sony A390

 S5 A390 
Manually focus Dial precise focus

Panasonic S5 vs Sony A390 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to lug around your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic S5 has exterior measurements of 133mm x 97mm x 82mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2") with a weight of 714 grams (1.57 lbs) whilst the Sony A390 has proportions 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 Panasonic S5 and Sony A390 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you choose at the time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the S5 versus the A390.

Panasonic S5 vs Sony A390 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the S5 and A390 is 60 and 66 respectively.

Panasonic S5 vs Sony A390 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S5 vs Sony A390 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very tough to visualise the difference between sensor measurements simply by reading a spec sheet. The photograph here might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the S5 and A390.

Clearly, both the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The S5 using its bigger sensor will make getting shallower DOF simpler and the Panasonic S5 will offer you extra detail because of its extra 10MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The fresher S5 will have a benefit in sensor tech.

Panasonic S5 vs Sony A390 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S5 vs Sony A390 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S5 vs Sony A390 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S5 Portrait photography features
Sony A390 Portrait photography features
85
has manual focus
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
offers face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
72
manual focus
resolution is good (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has face detect focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S5 Street photography information
Sony A390 Street photography information
78
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
supports touch to focus
weather proof
very good ISO range (51,200)
76
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S5 Sports photography advice
Sony A390 Sports photography advice
81
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet mode (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
weather proof
doesn't have phase detect AF
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
bad battery power (230 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S5 Travel photography info
Sony A390 Travel photography info
79
weather proof
has bluetooth
supports touch to focus
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
selfie friendly screen
53
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
no Time Lapse function
bad battery power (230 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S5 Landscape photography factors
Sony A390 Landscape photography factors
86
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Leica L mount)
screen size is good (3.0")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
very good ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
has double storage slots
61
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen is small (2.7 inches)
bad battery power (230 shots)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic S5
Vlogging with Sony A390
79
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
comes with microphone port
9
no video recording
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Panasonic S5 vs Sony A390 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S5 and Sony A390
 Panasonic Lumix DC-S5Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
Class Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2020-08-14 2010-07-28
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 35.6 x 23.8mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 847.3mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 6000 x 4000 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 51200 3200
Highest boosted ISO 204800 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Minimum boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 225 9
Lens
Lens mount type Leica L Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 31 143
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Tilting
Display sizing 3.0" 2.7"
Resolution of display 1,840k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.49x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/8000 seconds -
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes 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
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM -
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264, H.265 -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 714g (1.57 pounds) 549g (1.21 pounds)
Physical dimensions 133 x 97 x 82mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 440 images 230 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, SDXC Memory Card SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots Dual 1
Retail pricing $1,999 $500