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Samsung NX5 vs Sony A390

Portability
80
Imaging
55
Features
50
Overall
53
Samsung NX5 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54

Samsung NX5 vs Sony A390 Key Specs

Samsung NX5
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 499g - 123 x 87 x 40mm
  • Introduced June 2010
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
  • Revealed July 2010
  • Superseded the Sony A380
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Samsung NX5 vs Sony A390 Overview

Below, we are looking at the Samsung NX5 vs Sony A390, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Samsung and Sony. The sensor resolution of the NX5 (15MP) and the A390 (14MP) is fairly similar and they use the exact same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

Photography Glossary

The NX5 was revealed within a month of the A390 so they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Samsung NX5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A390 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving through a complete comparison, below is a concise summary of how the NX5 matches up against the A390 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Samsung NX5 over the Sony A390

 NX5 A390 
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Samsung NX5

 A390 NX5 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Samsung NX5 and Sony A390

 NX5 A390 
RevealedJune 2010July 2010Similar generation
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Samsung NX5 vs Sony A390 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera regularly, you will want to factor in its weight and volume. The Samsung NX5 has got physical measurements of 123mm x 87mm x 40mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 499 grams (1.10 lbs) whilst the Sony A390 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") having a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Check the Samsung NX5 vs Sony A390 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you select at that moment. Here is the front view scale comparison of the NX5 compared to the A390.

Samsung NX5 vs Sony A390 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the NX5 and A390 is 80 and 66 respectively.

Samsung NX5 vs Sony A390 top view buttons comparison

Samsung NX5 vs Sony A390 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be tough to visualize the gap between sensor sizing only by reading a spec sheet. The visual below will offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the NX5 and A390.

As you can see, both of those cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different resolution. You should anticipate the Samsung NX5 to offer you more detail because of its extra 1MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images somewhat more aggressively.

Samsung NX5 vs Sony A390 sensor size comparison

Samsung NX5 vs Sony A390 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung NX5 vs Sony A390 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung NX5 Portrait photography features
Sony A390 Portrait photography features
73
has manual focus
decent megapixels (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
72
manual focus
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Samsung NX5 Street photography details
Sony A390 Street photography details
60
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (499g)
76
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Samsung NX5 Sports photography details
Sony A390 Sports photography details
52
decent megapixels (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
great battery pack (400 CIPA)
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
lack of phase detect autofocus
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
not so great battery pack (230 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Samsung NX5 Travel photography factors
Sony A390 Travel photography factors
63
great battery pack (400 shots)
decent megapixels (15 megapixels)
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition in class (499g)
does not have selfie friendly screen
53
resolution is good (14MP)
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
not so great battery pack (230 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Samsung NX5
Landscape photography with Sony A390
68
has manual focus
swap lenses (Samsung NX mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
decent megapixels (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
great battery pack (400 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
lack of Timelapse mode
61
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
small screen (2.7 inches)
not so great battery pack (230 per charge)
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung NX5 Vlogging details
Sony A390 Vlogging details
24
offers face detect autofocus
does not have selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone jack
more heavy than competition in class (499g)
9
no video recording
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Samsung NX5 vs Sony A390 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung NX5 and Sony A390
 Samsung NX5Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
General Information
Company Samsung Sony
Model Samsung NX5 Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2010-06-01 2010-07-28
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip DRIM Engine Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.4 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 365.0mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 15MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4592 x 3056 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 15 9
Lens
Lens mount Samsung NX Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 32 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech Active Matrix OLED screen -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x 0.49x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 11.00 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, 1st/2nd Curtain, Smart Flash, Manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format H.264 -
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 499g (1.10 lb) 549g (1.21 lb)
Dimensions 123 x 87 x 40mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 1.6") 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 400 photographs 230 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BP1130 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 sec to 30 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots One One
Price at release $499 $500