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Sony A390 vs Sony A500

Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54
Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front
Portability
63
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52

Sony A390 vs Sony A500 Key Specs

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
  • Replaced the Sony A380
Sony A500
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Launched August 2009
  • Refreshed by Sony A560
Photography Glossary

Sony A390 vs Sony A500 Overview

Let's look much closer at the Sony A390 vs Sony A500, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras and both of them are created by Sony. The image resolution of the A390 (14MP) and the A500 (12MP) is fairly well matched and both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The A390 was unveiled 12 months after the A500 so they are of a similar age. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before we go right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short view of how the A390 matches up against the A500 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Sony A500

 A390 A500 
LaunchedJuly 2010August 2009More modern by 12 months

Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Sony A390

 A500 A390 
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Sony A390 and Sony A500

 A390 A500 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Sony A390 vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera, you'll need to take into account its weight and size. The Sony A390 has got external measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") and a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs) and the Sony A500 has specifications of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).

Examine the Sony A390 vs Sony A500 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the A390 and the A500.

Sony A390 vs Sony A500 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A390 and A500 is 66 and 63 respectively.

Sony A390 vs Sony A500 top view buttons comparison

Sony A390 vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is hard to see the gap between sensor sizes just by reading through specs. The image below should give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the A390 and A500.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You can anticipate the Sony A390 to give you greater detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images more aggressively. The fresher A390 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Sony A390 vs Sony A500 sensor size comparison

Sony A390 vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A390 vs Sony A500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A390 Portrait photography features
Sony A500 Portrait photography features
72
you can focus manually
good resolution (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
63
manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Sony A390 Street photography factors
Sony A500 Street photography factors
76
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
74
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony A390
Sports photography with Sony A500
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
low fps (3.0 fps)
bad battery pack (230 CIPA)
51
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (5.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
terrible battery life (520 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Sony A390 Travel photography features
Sony A500 Travel photography features
53
good resolution (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
bad battery pack (230 CIPA)
does not feature selfie friendly display
43
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse recording
terrible battery life (520 shots)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A390 Landscape photography factors
Sony A500 Landscape photography factors
61
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen is small (2.7 inch)
bad battery pack (230 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse mode
60
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (520 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A390 Vlogging advice
Sony A500 Vlogging advice
9
no video recording
9
can't record video
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Sony A390 vs Sony A500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A390 and Sony A500
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A390Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2010-07-28 2009-08-27
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4592 x 3056 4272 x 2848
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony/Minolta Alpha Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 143 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.49x 0.53x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Highest video resolution None None
Mic 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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 549 gr (1.21 pounds) 630 gr (1.39 pounds)
Physical dimensions 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 66 64
DXO Color Depth score 22.5 21.8
DXO Dynamic range score 11.5 11.6
DXO Low light score 607 772
Other
Battery life 230 shots 520 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FH50 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $500 $638