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Sony A390 vs Sony A550

Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54
Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58

Sony A390 vs Sony A550 Key Specs

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
  • Launched July 2010
  • Older Model is Sony A380
Sony A550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Released December 2009
  • Replaced the Sony A100
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Sony A390 vs Sony A550 Overview

Below, we are contrasting the Sony A390 versus Sony A550, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras and they are both manufactured by Sony. The resolution of the A390 (14MP) and the A550 (14MP) is fairly close and they enjoy the exact same sensor sizing (APS-C).

Photography Glossary

The A390 was unveiled 8 months later than the A550 and they are both of a similar age. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before getting in to a in-depth comparison, below is a brief summary of how the A390 grades vs the A550 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Sony A550

 A390 A550 
ReleasedJuly 2010December 2009Fresher by 8 months

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Sony A390

 A550 A390 
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution922k230kSharper display (+692k dot)

Common features in the Sony A390 and Sony A550

 A390 A550 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Sony A390 vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera, you need to consider its weight and measurements. The Sony A390 enjoys external 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) whilst the Sony A550 has proportions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") with a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Contrast the Sony A390 versus Sony A550 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you choose at that moment. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the A390 compared to the A550.

Sony A390 vs Sony A550 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A390 and A550 is 66 and 63 respectively.

Sony A390 vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Sony A390 vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is difficult to imagine the difference in sensor sizing merely by researching specifications. The visual here should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the A390 and A550.

To sum up, each of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the same MP and you can expect comparable quality of files although you will want to consider the age of the cameras into account. The newer A390 provides an advantage in sensor technology.

Sony A390 vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Sony A390 vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A390 vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A390 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A550 as a Portrait photography camera
72
manual focus
megapixel count good (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
72
focusing manually
good resolution (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony A390 as a Street photography camera
Sony A550 as a Street photography camera
76
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
74
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sony A390 Sports photography features
Sony A550 Sports photography features
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
not so great battery power (230 CIPA)
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
low battery pack (480 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Sony A390 Travel photography highlights
Sony A550 Travel photography highlights
53
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse recording
not so great battery power (230 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
52
good resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low battery pack (480 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A390 Landscape photography factors
Sony A550 Landscape photography factors
61
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
small screen (2.7")
not so great battery power (230 per charge)
missing Time Lapse recording
66
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
low battery pack (480 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A390 Vlogging features
Sony A550 Vlogging features
9
lack of video recording
9
can't shoot video
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Sony A390 vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A390 and Sony A550
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A390Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2010-07-28 2009-12-09
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Bionz Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4592 x 3056 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support Sony/Minolta Alpha Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 143 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Tilting Tilting
Display size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.49x 0.53x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 7.0 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) 12.00 m
Flash options 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
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Highest video resolution None None
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 549g (1.21 pounds) 632g (1.39 pounds)
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 rating 66 66
DXO Color Depth rating 22.5 21.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.5 11.8
DXO Low light rating 607 807
Other
Battery life 230 photos 480 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FH50 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $500 $749