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Pentax X70 vs Sony A390

Portability
71
Imaging
34
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X70 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54

Pentax X70 vs Sony A390 Key Specs

Pentax X70
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 50 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-624mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 410g - 110 x 83 x 90mm
  • Launched March 2009
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
  • Launched July 2010
  • Previous Model is Sony A380
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Pentax X70 vs Sony A390 Overview

Its time to look closer at the Pentax X70 versus Sony A390, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the X70 (12MP) and the A390 (14MP) is pretty comparable but the X70 (1/2.3") and A390 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor sizes.

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The X70 was announced 17 months before the A390 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Pentax X70 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A390 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting in to a more detailed comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the X70 scores vs the A390 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X70 over the Sony A390

 X70 A390 

Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Pentax X70

 A390 X70 
LaunchedJuly 2010March 2009Newer by 17 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Pentax X70 and Sony A390

 X70 A390 
Focus manually More exact focus
Screen dimension2.7"2.7"Identical screen dimensions
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Pentax X70 vs Sony A390 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to factor in its weight and measurements. The Pentax X70 provides physical dimensions of 110mm x 83mm x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5") along with a weight of 410 grams (0.90 lbs) and the Sony A390 has proportions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

See the Pentax X70 versus Sony A390 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Below is the front view scale comparison of the X70 versus the A390.

Pentax X70 vs Sony A390 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the X70 and A390 is 71 and 66 respectively.

Pentax X70 vs Sony A390 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X70 vs Sony A390 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its tough to visualise the difference in sensor dimensions merely by seeing specs. The pic below will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the X70 and A390.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The X70 using its smaller sensor will make getting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Sony A390 will produce more detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The more aged X70 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax X70 vs Sony A390 sensor size comparison

Pentax X70 vs Sony A390 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X70 vs Sony A390 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X70 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A390 as a Portrait photography camera
28
you can focus manually
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
72
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax X70 Street photography highlights
Sony A390 Street photography highlights
46
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
76
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X70 Sports photography factors
Sony A390 Sports photography factors
50
incredible zoom range (26-624mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides tracking focus
sensor has phase detect autofocus
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
60
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
low battery life (230 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X70 Travel photography advice
Sony A390 Travel photography advice
52
flash built-in
pretty wide (26mm)
very long zoom (624mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
53
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
flash built-in
missing Timelapse mode
low battery life (230 CIPA)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Pentax X70 Landscape photography information
Sony A390 Landscape photography information
35
you can focus manually
pretty wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
61
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
low battery life (230 shots)
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X70 Vlogging info
Sony A390 Vlogging info
24
pretty wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic port
9
no video shooting
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Pentax X70 vs Sony A390 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X70 and Sony A390
 Pentax X70Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model Pentax X70 Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2009-03-02 2010-07-28
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 50 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 26-624mm (24.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focus range 10cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.7" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.49x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate - 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 9.10 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Microphone 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 410g (0.90 lbs) 549g (1.21 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 83 x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 66
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.5
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.5
DXO Low light score not tested 607
Other
Battery life - 230 images
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI92 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $200 $500