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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A390

Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax XG-1 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A390 Key Specs

Pentax XG-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1248mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 567g - 119 x 89 x 98mm
  • Announced July 2014
Sony A390
(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
  • Introduced July 2010
  • Previous Model is Sony A380
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A390 Overview

The following is a extended overview of the Pentax XG-1 and Sony A390, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the XG-1 (16MP) and the A390 (14MP) is very similar but the XG-1 (1/2.3") and A390 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor sizes.

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The XG-1 was revealed 4 years after the A390 which is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A390 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting straight into a thorough comparison, below is a simple view of how the XG-1 grades versus the A390 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Sony A390

 XG-1 A390 
IntroducedJuly 2014July 2010Newer by 49 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Pentax XG-1

 A390 XG-1 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Pentax XG-1 and Sony A390

 XG-1 A390 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A390 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera often, you should factor its weight and proportions. The Pentax XG-1 has physical dimensions of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") accompanied by a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs) and the Sony A390 has measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Compare the Pentax XG-1 and Sony A390 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the XG-1 and the A390.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A390 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the XG-1 and A390 is 66 and 66 respectively.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A390 top view buttons comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A390 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is tough to envision the difference between sensor dimensions only by reviewing specs. The image underneath might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the XG-1 and A390.

All in all, both of those cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The XG-1 having a tinier sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field more challenging and the Pentax XG-1 will offer you more detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics far more aggressively. The more recent XG-1 will have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A390 sensor size comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A390 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A390 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Portrait photography info
Sony A390 Portrait photography info
40
focusing manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
72
focusing manually
decent MP (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Street photography information
Sony A390 Street photography information
43
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
heavier than competitors in class (567g)
76
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Sports photography information
Sony A390 Sports photography information
45
great zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery life (240 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
terrible battery (230 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Travel photography info
Sony A390 Travel photography info
52
good resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
great reach (1248mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low battery life (240 per charge)
heavier than competitors in class (567 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
53
decent MP (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse recording
terrible battery (230 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Landscape photography advice
Sony A390 Landscape photography advice
45
focusing manually
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
low battery life (240 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
61
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
tiny screen (2.7")
terrible battery (230 shots)
does not have Timelapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax XG-1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A390 as a Vlogging camera
25
decently wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic port
heavier than competitors in class (567g)
9
no video
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A390 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax XG-1 and Sony A390
 Pentax XG-1Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model Pentax XG-1 Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2014-07-15 2010-07-28
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 24-1248mm (52.0x) -
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.6 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 200 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.49x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 9.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.00 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 567 grams (1.25 lbs) 549 grams (1.21 lbs)
Dimensions 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 240 photos 230 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LB-060 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $599 $500