Samsung GX-1S vs Sony A390

Samsung GX-1S vs Sony Alpha DSLR-A390: A Hands-On Deep Dive into Two Classic DSLRs

As someone who has tested cameras of all stripes for over 15 years, I often find myself revisiting models that quietly shaped the DSLR market in the 2000s and early 2010s. Two such cameras are the Samsung GX-1S (introduced 2006) and the Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 (released in 2010). Though both fall under the DSLR umbrella and sport APS-C sensors, their feature sets, handling, and target users differ significantly.

If you’re considering a budget-conscious entry or an introduction to DSLR photography from this era - or just curious how these two compare - I’ve put both through the paces across key photographic genres and workflows. Let’s unravel how these cameras fare, one feature and discipline at a time.

Form Factor and Handling: Comfortable but Distinct Ergonomics

Right from the start, you’ll find these cameras borrow styling cues typical of DSLR design but cater to slightly different grips. The GX-1S sports a mid-size SLR body with a Pentax KAF lens mount, weighing 605g and measuring roughly 125x93x66 mm. Its heft and shape provide a confident feel in-hand, especially with larger lenses attached.

By contrast, Sony’s A390 is a more compact DSLR, lighter at 549g but somewhat chunkier due to its deeper grip, roughly 128x97x86 mm. It uses the Sony/Minolta Alpha mount (compatible with Minolta’s vast lens ecosystem), a big plus for lens variety.

Samsung’s GX-1S employs a fixed 2.5” LCD, adequate but a bit small and less sharp, while the Sony A390 pains the extra effort with a tilting 2.7” screen - much more versatile for shooting at odd angles or in street photography scenarios. You’ll see that difference clearly here:

The GX-1S sports physical controls that rely on manual dexterity and traditional exposure dials. It feels like a classic photographer’s camera - full manual controls, no frills. On the other hand, the A390 integrates a slightly more modern interface with live view and more customizability, though without touchscreen support.

Personal experience? For prolonged shoots, A390’s tilting screen and lighter frame reduce fatigue. But if you cherish the traditional DSLR tactile feel and don’t mind a smaller screen, the GX-1S is solid.

Inside the Box: Sensor Tech and Image Quality Performance

Both cameras house APS-C sized CCD sensors (23.5x15.7mm), vital for achieving DSLR-level image quality and shallow depth-of-field. However, the devil is in the details.

• Samsung GX-1S: 6MP resolution - solid but low by modern standards, producing images maxing out at 3008x2008 px. The native ISO starts at 200, maxing at 3200, but remember, this was early in DSLR CCD technology’s lifecycle.

• Sony A390: 14MP resolution with a max image size of 4592x3056 px, giving you far more detail and cropping latitude. It accepts a wider ISO range starting at 100, maxing at 3200 as well, but with superior noise control thanks to improved CCD design and Bionz processing.

In everyday usage, you’ll notice the A390’s images are sharper, richer in dynamic range, and less noisy at higher ISOs. Areas like landscape and portrait photography especially benefit from this bump in resolution and tonal gradation.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and Usability in the Field

Autofocus is always a decisive factor, especially for wildlife, sports, or street shooters who demand precision and responsiveness. Here’s how these two DSLRs compare.

The Samsung GX-1S features an 11-point phase-detection autofocus system, a respectable setup for 2006, but its autofocus tracking capabilities are limited. It supports AF single and continuous, with some multi-area selection, but no face or animal eye detection.

Sony’s A390 pares down to 9 AF points but includes contrast detection autofocus for live view and face detection technology - quite advanced for an entry-level DSLR in 2010. Autofocus speed is markedly quicker during live view and tracking moving subjects, though still not at pro sports camera level.

Practically, I found the GX-1S workable in controlled environments like portrait studios or outdoor landscapes where autofocus speed is less critical. The A390 better suits action shots or casual wildlife, given its superior face detection and quicker AF acquisition.

Optical Viewfinders and LCD Screens: Your Composing and Reviewing Allies

Composing images with an optical viewfinder is the DSLR hallmark. Neither camera has an electronic viewfinder; instead, they use traditional pentaprism/pentamirror optical finders.

• Samsung’s GX-1S offers a pentaprism viewfinder with 0.64x magnification and 95% frame coverage - bright and clear, aiding manual focusing and framing precision.

• Sony’s A390 uses a lighter pentamirror viewfinder with 0.49x magnification, also covering 95% of the frame, but appears dimmer and less crisp compared to the GX-1S.

The back LCD screens, however, contrast meaningfully:

• GX-1S’s fixed 2.5-inch 210k-dot display is sufficient for image review but limited for detailed examination or touch interaction.

• A390’s 2.7-inch tilting 230k-dot screen adds compositional flexibility - crucial for macro, street photography, or architectural shots at awkward angles.

My preference here is clear: for adaptability and image review, Sony’s tilting screen adds real-world composure advantages.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: Your Creative Palette

Lens choice can make or break photographic ambitions. Samsung’s GX-1S uses the Pentax KAF mount, granting access to over 150 native lenses ranging from budget primes to specialty glass - an unexpected strength for an otherwise niche brand.

Sony’s Alpha mount, inherited from Minolta, similarly supports a vast collection of 143 compatible lenses, including many autofocus and lens-based IS designs, plus growing options from third parties.

If you’re aiming for quality portrait or macro lenses, both systems have solid options, but Pentax lenses tend to offer excellent value and some unique optical designs. Sony’s ecosystem edges out for autofocus lens availability and newer focusing motors.

Burst Shooting and Shutter Performance: Capturing the Decisive Moment

Burst rate and shutter speed matter for sports and wildlife enthusiasts. Both cameras max at 3 frames per second continuous shooting, which is entry-level but usable for moderate action.

Sony and Samsung tie here, but the GX-1S sports a slightly faster max mechanical shutter speed of 1/4000 sec, versus the same on the A390. Neither has an electronic shutter option or silent shutter modes, so expect familiar DSLR mechanical noise.

For anything beyond casual sports shooting, these frame rates are limiting. But for portraits, landscapes, or travel snaps, it’s acceptable.

Image Stabilization and Flash: Stabilizing Shots When It Counts

Samsung’s GX-1S lacks any image stabilization - not in-camera nor lens-based - so you’ll need to manage shutter speed carefully, especially in low light or telephoto lenses.

Sony A390 offers sensor-based stabilization - a big plus for sharpness during handheld shooting in varied conditions. This makes the A390 notably more versatile, especially in dim environments or macro shooting where tiny movements ruin focus.

Both cameras include built-in flashes with standard modes like red-eye reduction and support external flash units. The A390 offers richer flash options (slow sync, rear curtain, wireless control), enhancing creative lighting flexibility.

Video Capabilities: A Non-Starter for Both

Neither camera supports video recording - no live recording modes, no movie capture. By 2006-2010 standards, this was common, but it makes these cameras unsuitable if hybrid photo/video is important to you.

Battery Life and Storage: Keeping You Shooting Longer

Samsung’s GX-1S uses four AA batteries - a double-edged sword. They’re easy to source but heavier and bulkier, and battery life tends to drain faster. There’s no official CIPA rating, but expect modest longevity.

Sony’s A390 uses a proprietary Lithium-Ion battery pack (NP-FH50), rated to roughly 230 shots per charge. It’s lighter and more efficient, though you’ll need a charger and spares.

Both cameras accept a single memory card each: GX-1S uses SD/MMC while A390 supports SD/SDHC and Sony’s Memory Stick Pro Duo. Storage-wise, the A390 has the edge with support for larger capacity SDHC cards.

Real-Life Photographic Disciplines: Strengths and Weaknesses

Let’s put theory into practice with the genres that matter most:

• Portrait Photography: The A390’s higher resolution sensor, better dynamic range, and face detection autofocus make it superior for retaining skin tones and locking onto eyes. Samsung’s 6MP CCD produces softer images with less detail and no face detection.

• Landscape Photography: Here, resolution and dynamic range are king. A390’s 14MP sensor captures fine textures and wide tonal range. GX-1S’s 6MP can work but won’t hold up under heavy cropping or large prints.

• Wildlife Photography: Neither camera excels in burst rates or autofocus tracking. However, Sony’s sensor-based stabilization and face detection give it a slight edge for casual wildlife shooting.

• Sports Photography: Both struggle with shutter lag and low fps for fast action. The A390’s faster AF response helps but serious sports shooters will seek faster cameras.

• Street Photography: The Sony’s compact form and tilting screen allow discreet shooting and tackling street-level angles better. GX-1S is larger and less flexible.

• Macro Photography: On-sensor stabilization in the A390 significantly improves handheld macro shots compared to no stabilization on the GX-1S.

• Night/Astro Photography: Neither camera shines here. Low megapixels (GX-1S) and noise in high ISO CCD sensors limit astrophotography.

• Video Capabilities: Neither phone home.

• Travel Photography: A390’s lighter weight, better battery, and greater lens/feature versatility make it a better travel companion.

• Professional Work: As mature DSLRs, both cameras support RAW shooting. The A390’s greater color depth and dynamic range, plus USB 2.0 connectivity, make it easier to integrate into post-processing pipelines. GX-1S’s USB 1.0 and slower file transfers may hamper workflow.

Samsung GX 1S front Samsung GX 1S screen back Sony A390 screen back

Performance Ratings and Recommendations

Based on performance testing and hands-on experience, here’s how the cameras broadly score:

And zooming in on genre-specific performance:

Summary: Which One Fits Your Photography Journey?

• Choose Samsung GX-1S if you value tactile manual controls, prefer the Pentax lens mount, want a reliable DSLR for basic portrait and amateur landscape photography, and don’t mind limited resolution or modern comforts.

• Choose Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 if you want higher resolution JPEGs and RAW files, better autofocus and stabilization, a more flexible tilting screen, slightly better battery life, and overall a more comprehensive DSLR experience for a lower price.

Both cameras lack video capabilities and advanced weather sealing, so if shooting in challenging environments or needing video features is important, neither is ideal.

Technical Deep Dive: Why These Differences Exist

From my experience testing tens of CCD versus CMOS APS-C cameras, the Sony’s improvements center on incremental sensor tech, better image processors, and interface design matured over the 4+ years between releases.

Samsung’s CCD sensor, though robust, simply cannot match the dynamic range or noise handling in the A390’s sensor. Also, the lack of in-camera stabilization on the GX-1S forces dependence on tripod use or lenses with OSS.

Autofocus advances also came fast in this era, and Sony clearly invested in sensor-integrated and contrast detection AF modes beyond Samsung’s more traditional system.

Build quality and weather sealing are minimal in both cases - neither suitable for harsh conditions - but the GX-1S’s slightly larger body feels more reassuring in prolonged handheld use.

Connectivity-wise, the A390’s USB 2.0 and HDMI out means more straightforward tethering and image review. The GX-1S’s USB 1.0 is painfully slow and likely to frustrate in digital workflows.

Final Thoughts: Nostalgia Meets Practicality

In closing, both cameras offer portals to DSLR photography’s golden years but with very different philosophies. Samsung’s GX-1S caters to classicists with manual control cravings and a solid Pentax lens library. Sony’s Alpha A390 pushes accessibility, resolution, and user-friendly features for newer enthusiasts who want flexibility.

If you’re hunting for a used camera under $500-800 and care about image quality and versatility, I lean toward the A390. But if you’re invested in the Pentax mount lenses or enjoy the hands-on manual shutter priority shooting style, the GX-1S remains a compelling choice.

Either way, these cameras remind us of DSLR evolution’s rapid pace, with practical lessons still relevant for buyers today.

I hope this comparison gives you a clear picture of what each system can do and helps align your camera choice with your shooting passions and budget. Happy shooting!