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Samsung NX mini vs Sony A390

Portability
93
Imaging
52
Features
68
Overall
58
Samsung NX mini front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A390 Key Specs

Samsung NX mini
(Full Review)
  • 20.5MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 160 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • 1/16000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Samsung NX-M Mount
  • 196g - 110 x 62 x 23mm
  • Announced March 2014
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
  • Announced July 2010
  • Succeeded the Sony A380
Photography Glossary

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A390 Overview

In this article, we will be evaluating the Samsung NX mini and Sony A390, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Samsung and Sony. There is a noticeable difference among the image resolutions of the NX mini (20.5MP) and A390 (14MP) and the NX mini (1") and A390 (APS-C) feature different sensor dimensions.

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The NX mini was revealed 3 years after the A390 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Samsung NX mini being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A390 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving through a in depth comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the NX mini matches up versus the A390 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Samsung NX mini over the Sony A390

 NX mini A390 
AnnouncedMarch 2014July 2010More modern by 45 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kCrisper screen (+231k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Samsung NX mini

 A390 NX mini 

Common features in the Samsung NX mini and Sony A390

 NX mini A390 
Manual focus Very precise focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A390 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry around your camera, you should consider its weight and proportions. The Samsung NX mini has got exterior dimensions of 110mm x 62mm x 23mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 0.9") having a weight of 196 grams (0.43 lbs) while the Sony A390 has measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") along with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Look at the Samsung NX mini and Sony A390 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the NX mini versus the A390.

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A390 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the NX mini and A390 is 93 and 66 respectively.

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A390 top view buttons comparison

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A390 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to imagine the gap in sensor sizes only by seeing technical specs. The picture underneath should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the NX mini and A390.

As you have seen, both of those cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The NX mini having a smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field tougher and the Samsung NX mini will show extra detail because of its extra 6.5MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots a little more aggressively. The fresher NX mini provides a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A390 sensor size comparison

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A390 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung NX mini vs Sony A390 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung NX mini Portrait photography info
Sony A390 Portrait photography info
71
manual focus
resolution is good (20.5MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
offers face detect focus
saves RAW formats
72
has manual focus
resolution is good (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Samsung NX mini as a Street photography camera
Sony A390 as a Street photography camera
81
has a tilting screen
sensor size is nice (1")
saves RAW formats
boasts touch focus
lighter than competitors (196g)
no image stabilization
76
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Samsung NX mini Sports photography factors
Sony A390 Sports photography factors
54
high shutter speed (1/16,000s)
resolution is good (20.5MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
great battery (650 shots)
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
60
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
terrible battery life (230 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Samsung NX mini Travel photography highlights
Sony A390 Travel photography highlights
76
great battery (650 shots)
lighter than competitors (196g)
boasts touch focus
resolution is good (20.5 megapixels)
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
53
resolution is good (14MP)
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse function
terrible battery life (230 CIPA)
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung NX mini as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A390 as a Landscape photography camera
68
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Samsung NX-M mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
resolution is good (20.5 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (1")
saves RAW formats
great battery (650 shots)
no image stabilization
does not have Timelapse function
61
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
terrible battery life (230 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung NX mini Vlogging features
Sony A390 Vlogging features
38
touchscreen enabled
offers face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes microphone jack
lighter than competitors (196g)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
9
lack of video recording
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Samsung NX mini vs Sony A390 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung NX mini and Sony A390
 Samsung NX miniSony Alpha DSLR-A390
General Information
Manufacturer Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung NX mini Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2014-03-19 2010-07-28
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 13.2 x 8.8mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 116.2mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 20.5 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5472 x 3648 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 160 100
RAW photos
Lowest enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 21 9
Lens
Lens mount type Samsung NX-M Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 2 143
Crop factor 2.7 1.5
Screen
Type of display Tilting Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT-LCD (180 degree tilt) -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.49x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/16000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Smart Flash, auto, auto + redeye reduction, fill-in, fill-in + redeye reduction, 1st curtain, 2nd curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/200 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 (all 30 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 196 gr (0.43 lbs) 549 gr (1.21 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 62 x 23mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 0.9") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 66
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.5
DXO Low light rating not tested 607
Other
Battery life 650 photographs 230 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID B740 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2-30 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $530 $500