Pentax Q vs Sony A390
93 Imaging
35 Features
47 Overall
39
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66 Imaging
54 Features
54 Overall
54
Pentax Q vs Sony A390 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 125 - 6400
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax Q Mount
- 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
- Announced June 2011
- Successor is Pentax Q10
(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
- Launched July 2010
- Succeeded the Sony A380
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Pentax Q vs Sony A390 Overview
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.
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Pentax Q vs Sony A390 Gallery
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.
Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Sony A390
Q | A390 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | June 2011 | ![]() | July 2010 | More modern by 11 months |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Pentax Q
A390 | Q | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Common features in the Pentax Q and Sony A390
Q | A390 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Lack of Touch friendly screen |
Pentax Q vs Sony A390 Physical Comparison
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.
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Using size and weight, the portability score of the Q and A390 is 93 and 66 respectively.
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Pentax Q vs Sony A390 Sensor Comparison
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.
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Pentax Q vs Sony A390 Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Pentax Q vs Sony A390 Specifications
Pentax Q | Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Pentax | Sony |
Model | Pentax Q | Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level DSLR |
Announced | 2011-06-23 | 2010-07-28 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 23.5 x 15.7mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 369.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 14MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4592 x 3056 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 125 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | 25 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Pentax Q | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Total lenses | 8 | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen size | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Screen resolution | 460k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Screen technology | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.49x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 2.0 frames per second | 3.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 5.60 m | 10.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/2000 secs | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | - |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | - |
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 | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 180g (0.40 lb) | 549g (1.21 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") | 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 47 | 66 |
DXO Color Depth score | 20.2 | 22.5 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.1 | 11.5 |
DXO Low light score | 189 | 607 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 230 shots | 230 shots |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | D-LI68 | NP-FH50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Launch cost | $695 | $500 |