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Samsung TL500 vs Sony A390

Portability
88
Imaging
34
Features
54
Overall
42
Samsung TL500 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54

Samsung TL500 vs Sony A390 Key Specs

Samsung TL500
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 24-72mm (F1.8-2.4) lens
  • 386g - 114 x 63 x 29mm
  • Introduced July 2010
  • Alternate Name is EX1
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
  • Replaced the Sony A380
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Samsung TL500 vs Sony A390 Overview

Below, we will be comparing the Samsung TL500 versus Sony A390, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Samsung and Sony. There exists a substantial gap between the sensor resolutions of the TL500 (10MP) and A390 (14MP) and the TL500 (1/1.7") and A390 (APS-C) use different sensor dimensions.

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The TL500 was unveiled very close to the A390 which means that they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Samsung TL500 being a Compact camera and the Sony A390 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick summation of how the TL500 grades against the A390 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Samsung TL500 over the Sony A390

 TL500 A390 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution614k230kClearer screen (+384k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Samsung TL500

 A390 TL500 

Common features in the Samsung TL500 and Sony A390

 TL500 A390 
LaunchedJuly 2010July 2010Similar age
Manually focus More precise focus
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Samsung TL500 vs Sony A390 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to consider its weight and size. The Samsung TL500 has external measurements of 114mm x 63mm x 29mm (4.5" x 2.5" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 386 grams (0.85 lbs) and the Sony A390 has specifications of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Contrast the Samsung TL500 versus Sony A390 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the TL500 vs the A390.

Samsung TL500 vs Sony A390 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the TL500 and A390 is 88 and 66 respectively.

Samsung TL500 vs Sony A390 top view buttons comparison

Samsung TL500 vs Sony A390 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is difficult to imagine the gap between sensor sizes merely by looking at a spec sheet. The image underneath should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the TL500 and A390.

As you can see, each of the cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The TL500 using its tinier sensor is going to make getting bokeh tougher and the Sony A390 will give greater detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively.

Samsung TL500 vs Sony A390 sensor size comparison

Samsung TL500 vs Sony A390 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung TL500 vs Sony A390 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung TL500 Portrait photography details
Sony A390 Portrait photography details
40
focusing manually
supports RAW files
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
72
manual focus
MP count decent (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Samsung TL500
Street photography with Sony A390
66
screen articulates
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
more heavy than others (386 grams)
76
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Samsung TL500 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A390 as a Sports photography camera
29
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
lack of phase detect AF
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames/s)
bad battery life (230 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Samsung TL500 Travel photography details
Sony A390 Travel photography details
64
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
rather wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
no Timelapse function
more heavy than others (386g)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
53
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse function
bad battery life (230 CIPA)
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung TL500 Landscape photography information
Sony A390 Landscape photography information
52
focusing manually
rather wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
MP count low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
no Timelapse function
61
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is small (2.7 inch)
bad battery life (230 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung TL500 Vlogging info
Sony A390 Vlogging info
64
rather wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
display is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution low (640 x 480 pxls)
no microphone socket
more heavy than others (386 grams)
9
can't shoot video
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Samsung TL500 vs Sony A390 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung TL500 and Sony A390
 Samsung TL500Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
General Information
Make Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung TL500 Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
Also called EX1 -
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2010-07-09 2010-07-28
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" APS-C
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 24-72mm (3.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/1.8-2.4 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 4.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 614k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.49x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed - 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow syncro, Manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 640x480 None
Video file format H.264 -
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 386g (0.85 lb) 549g (1.21 lb)
Dimensions 114 x 63 x 29mm (4.5" x 2.5" x 1.1") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 40 66
DXO Color Depth rating 19.2 22.5
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.1 11.5
DXO Low light rating 129 607
Other
Battery life - 230 photos
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID SLB-07A NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (10 sec, 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC, internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $527 $500