Sony A7S vs Sony A390
77 Imaging
60 Features
73 Overall
65


66 Imaging
54 Features
54 Overall
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Sony A7S vs Sony A390 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 409600
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 3840 x 2160 video
- Sony E Mount
- 489g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
- Revealed April 2014
- Newer Model is Sony A7S II
(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
- Revealed July 2010
- Succeeded the Sony A380

Sony A7S vs Sony A390 Overview
Its time to take a more detailed look at the Sony A7S versus Sony A390, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR and they are both sold by Sony. The image resolution of the A7S (12MP) and the A390 (14MP) is pretty close but the A7S (Full frame) and A390 (APS-C) use totally different sensor dimensions.

The A7S was brought out 3 years later than the A390 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Sony A7S being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A390 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before diving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief summation of how the A7S matches up vs the A390 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Sony A7S vs Sony A390 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Sony Alpha A7S & Sony Alpha DSLR-A390. The entire galleries are viewable at Sony A7S Gallery & Sony A390 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sony A7S over the Sony A390
A7S | A390 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | April 2014 | ![]() | July 2010 | More recent by 45 months |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 1230k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+1000k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Sony A7S
A390 | A7S |
---|
Common features in the Sony A7S and Sony A390
A7S | A390 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Lacking Touch friendly screen |
Sony A7S vs Sony A390 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is intending to lug around your camera often, you will want to take into account its weight and proportions. The Sony A7S features outer measurements of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") and a weight of 489 grams (1.08 lbs) and the Sony A390 has measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).
Contrast the Sony A7S versus Sony A390 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you select at the time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the A7S and the A390.

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the A7S and A390 is 77 and 66 respectively.

Sony A7S vs Sony A390 Sensor Comparison
Often, it's hard to visualise the contrast in sensor measurements only by researching a spec sheet. The photograph here will offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the A7S and A390.
As you can see, both the cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The A7S due to its bigger sensor will make getting shallow DOF less difficult and the Sony A390 will result in extra detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will help you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The younger A7S is going to have a benefit in sensor technology.

Sony A7S vs Sony A390 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

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Landscape Comparison

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Sony A7S vs Sony A390 Specifications
Sony Alpha A7S | Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Sony | Sony |
Model | Sony Alpha A7S | Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 |
Class | Pro Mirrorless | Entry-Level DSLR |
Revealed | 2014-04-06 | 2010-07-28 |
Physical type | SLR-style mirrorless | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Bionz X | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | Full frame | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 35.8 x 23.9mm | 23.5 x 15.7mm |
Sensor area | 855.6mm² | 369.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 14MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4240 x 2832 | 4592 x 3056 |
Maximum native ISO | 409600 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 25 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Sony E | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Number of lenses | 121 | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Tilting | Tilting |
Display diagonal | 3 inch | 2.7 inch |
Resolution of display | 1,230k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder resolution | 2,359k dots | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.71x | 0.49x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 5.0 frames/s | 3.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 10.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash settings | no built-in flash | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | - | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 3840 x 2160, XAVC S 1080 60p(50Mbps), 30p (50Mbps), 24p (50Mbps). 720 120p (50Mbps). AVCHD 60p (28Mbps), 60i (24Mbps/17Mbps), 24p (24Mbps/17Mbps) | - |
Maximum video resolution | 3840x2160 | None |
Video data format | MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC | - |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 489 grams (1.08 lb) | 549 grams (1.21 lb) |
Dimensions | 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") | 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 87 | 66 |
DXO Color Depth score | 23.9 | 22.5 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 13.2 | 11.5 |
DXO Low light score | 3702 | 607 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 360 shots | 230 shots |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | NP-FW50 | NP-FH50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures)) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | With downloadable app | |
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo |
Card slots | One | One |
Retail price | $1,998 | $500 |