Pentax Q vs Sony A390

Here, we will be reviewing the Pentax Q versus Sony A390, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the Q (12MP) and the A390 (14MP) is relatively well matched but the Q (1/2.3") and A390 (APS-C) have different sensor sizes.

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The Q was manufactured 11 months after the A390 and they are of a similar generation. The two cameras feature different body design with the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A390 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going right into a complete comparison, here is a short view of how the Q matches up vs the A390 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax Q and Sony Alpha DSLR-A390. The entire galleries are provided at Pentax Q Gallery and Sony A390 Gallery.

If you are intending to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Pentax Q has got external dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") having a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs) while the Sony A390 has dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") along with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Examine the Pentax Q versus Sony A390 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have at the time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the Q against the A390.

Using size and weight, the portability score of the Q and A390 is 93 and 66 respectively.

Oftentimes, it's tough to picture the gap between sensor sizes just by looking at a spec sheet. The image underneath may provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the Q and A390.

Clearly, each of the cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The Q because of its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF harder and the Sony A390 will give extra detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures way more aggressively. The younger Q provides a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.