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Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-3

Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54
Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
55
Overall
54

Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-3 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
  • Introduced July 2010
  • Older Model is Sony A380
Sony NEX-3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 297g - 117 x 62 x 33mm
  • Introduced June 2010
  • Renewed by Sony NEX-C3
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Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-3 Overview

The following is a thorough overview of the Sony A390 and Sony NEX-3, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are created by Sony. The image resolution of the A390 (14MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is very well matched and they come with the exact same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The A390 was released 2 months after the NEX-3 so they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Sony A390 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a short summation of how the A390 matches up versus the NEX-3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Sony NEX-3

 A390 NEX-3 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Sony A390

 NEX-3 A390 
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kSharper display (+690k dot)

Common features in the Sony A390 and Sony NEX-3

 A390 NEX-3 
IntroducedJuly 2010June 2010Similar age
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Sony A390 provides physical measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs) and the Sony NEX-3 has dimensions of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).

Take a look at the Sony A390 and Sony NEX-3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the A390 and the NEX-3.

Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-3 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A390 and NEX-3 is 66 and 89 respectively.

Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-3 top view buttons comparison

Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be tough to visualise the gap between sensor dimensions only by looking at technical specs. The image below will offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the A390 and NEX-3.

As you have seen, both of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the identical megapixels so you can expect similar quality of pictures though you need to take the age of the products into consideration.

Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-3 sensor size comparison

Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A390 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-3 as a Portrait photography camera
72
has manual focus
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes face detect focus
exports RAW formats
72
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony A390
Street photography with Sony NEX-3
76
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
76
screen tilts
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony A390
Sports photography with Sony NEX-3
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
not so great battery power (230 per charge)
52
megapixel count decent (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
no image stabilization
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony A390
Travel photography with Sony NEX-3
53
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
no Timelapse recording
not so great battery power (230 shots)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
59
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony A390
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-3
61
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
small screen (2.7")
not so great battery power (230 CIPA)
no Timelapse recording
68
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A390 as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-3 as a Vlogging camera
9
can't record video
27
features face detect focusing
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone socket
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Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A390 and Sony NEX-3
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A390Sony Alpha NEX-3
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 Sony Alpha NEX-3
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2010-07-28 2010-06-07
Physical type Compact SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias 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 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW support
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 25
Lens
Lens support Sony/Minolta Alpha Sony E
Total lenses 143 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.49x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 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, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1280x720
Video data format - MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
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) 297g (0.65 pounds)
Dimensions 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 66 68
DXO Color Depth rating 22.5 22.1
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.5 12.0
DXO Low light rating 607 830
Other
Battery life 230 images 330 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FH50 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $500 $0