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Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-3N

Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54
Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3N front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
52
Overall
55

Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-3N 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
  • Launched July 2010
  • Succeeded the Sony A380
Sony NEX-3N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 62 x 35mm
  • Introduced February 2013
  • Succeeded the Sony NEX-F3
  • New Model is Sony a5000
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Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-3N Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Sony A390 versus Sony NEX-3N, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both produced by Sony. The resolution of the A390 (14MP) and the NEX-3N (16MP) is pretty close and they enjoy the same exact sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The A390 was introduced 3 years before the NEX-3N and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Sony A390 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony NEX-3N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight into a thorough comparison, below is a short introduction of how the A390 matches up vs the NEX-3N when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Sony NEX-3N

 A390 NEX-3N 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3N over the Sony A390

 NEX-3N A390 
IntroducedFebruary 2013July 2010Fresher by 31 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Sony A390 and Sony NEX-3N

 A390 NEX-3N 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-3N Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to factor in its weight and volume. The Sony A390 has external measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") having a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs) and the Sony NEX-3N has sizing of 110mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4") with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Look at the Sony A390 versus Sony NEX-3N in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the A390 and the NEX-3N.

Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-3N size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the A390 and NEX-3N is 66 and 89 respectively.

Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-3N top view buttons comparison

Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-3N Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be hard to imagine the difference in sensor sizing purely by researching technical specs. The graphic underneath will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the A390 and NEX-3N.

As you can tell, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You should expect the Sony NEX-3N to result in extra detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures far more aggressively. The older A390 will be behind in sensor tech.

Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-3N sensor size comparison

Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A390 Portrait photography info
Sony NEX-3N Portrait photography info
72
has manual focus
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
66
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
external flash not possible
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Street Comparison

Sony A390 Street photography features
Sony NEX-3N Street photography features
76
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
77
screen tilts up and down
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sony A390 Sports photography highlights
Sony NEX-3N Sports photography highlights
60
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
low frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
terrible battery life (230 CIPA)
53
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
good battery life (480 CIPA)
slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
no image stabilization
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony A390 Travel photography details
Sony NEX-3N Travel photography details
53
good MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
terrible battery life (230 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
71
good battery life (480 shots)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A390 Landscape photography information
Sony NEX-3N Landscape photography information
61
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
tiny screen (2.7")
terrible battery life (230 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse recording
70
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
good battery life (480 CIPA)
no image stabilization
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A390 Vlogging advice
Sony NEX-3N Vlogging advice
9
can't record video
28
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
does not have microphone socket
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Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-3N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A390 and Sony NEX-3N
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A390Sony Alpha NEX-3N
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 Sony Alpha NEX-3N
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2010-07-28 2013-02-25
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 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4592 x 3056 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 3200 16000
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mount type Sony/Minolta Alpha Sony E
Total lenses 143 121
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.49x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per second 4.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless -
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 549g (1.21 pounds) 269g (0.59 pounds)
Dimensions 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") 110 x 62 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 66 74
DXO Color Depth rating 22.5 22.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.5 12.5
DXO Low light rating 607 1067
Other
Battery life 230 shots 480 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FH50 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) -
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $500 $399