Pentax K-5 vs Sony A390
60 Imaging
55 Features
82 Overall
65


66 Imaging
54 Features
54 Overall
54
Pentax K-5 vs Sony A390 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 12800 (Increase to 51200)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
- Announced December 2010
- Superseded the Pentax K-7
- Later Model is Pentax K-5 IIs
(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
- Revealed July 2010
- Superseded the Sony A380

Pentax K-5 vs Sony A390 Overview
Here, we are reviewing the Pentax K-5 vs Sony A390, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the K-5 (16MP) and the A390 (14MP) is very comparable and both cameras offer the identical sensor size (APS-C).

The K-5 was unveiled 5 months after the A390 and they are of a similar age. The two cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A390 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before delving into a in depth comparison, here is a simple summation of how the K-5 grades vs the A390 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Pentax K-5 vs Sony A390 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax K-5 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A390. The full galleries are available at Pentax K-5 Gallery & Sony A390 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Sony A390
K-5 | A390 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper display (+691k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Pentax K-5
A390 | K-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Common features in the Pentax K-5 and Sony A390
K-5 | A390 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | December 2010 | ![]() | July 2010 | Same age |
Manually focus | ![]() | Very precise focus | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly display |
Pentax K-5 vs Sony A390 Physical Comparison
When you are going to carry around your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and size. The Pentax K-5 offers outer dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs) whilst the Sony A390 has specifications of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") along with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).
Check out the Pentax K-5 vs Sony A390 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the K-5 vs the A390.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-5 and A390 is 60 and 66 respectively.

Pentax K-5 vs Sony A390 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is difficult to visualize the gap in sensor sizes merely by seeing specs. The pic here should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-5 and A390.
As you can plainly see, both of these cameras feature the identical sensor size but different MP. You can expect to see the Pentax K-5 to produce more detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics way more aggressively.

Pentax K-5 vs Sony A390 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-5 vs Sony A390 Specifications
Pentax K-5 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Pentax | Sony |
Model type | Pentax K-5 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Announced | 2010-12-18 | 2010-07-28 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Prime II | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 23.7 x 15.7mm | 23.5 x 15.7mm |
Sensor surface area | 372.1mm² | 369.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4928 x 3264 | 4592 x 3056 |
Maximum native ISO | 12800 | 3200 |
Maximum enhanced ISO | 51200 | - |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 9 |
Cross type focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Pentax KAF2 | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Number of lenses | 151 | 143 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen size | 3" | 2.7" |
Resolution of screen | 921k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen technology | TFT LCD monitor | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.61x | 0.49x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 7.0fps | 3.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) | 10.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/180 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps) | - |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | - |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 740 gr (1.63 lbs) | 549 gr (1.21 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") | 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 82 | 66 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 23.7 | 22.5 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 14.1 | 11.5 |
DXO Low light rating | 1162 | 607 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 980 images | 230 images |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | D-LI90 | NP-FH50 |
Self timer | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at release | $800 | $500 |