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Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-5

Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54
Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
58
Overall
55

Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-5 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
  • Revealed July 2010
  • Old Model is Sony A380
Sony NEX-5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 287g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Introduced June 2010
  • Successor is Sony NEX-5N
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Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-5 Overview

Let's look a bit more closely at the Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-5, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are offered by Sony. The image resolution of the A390 (14MP) and the NEX-5 (14MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras offer the identical sensor size (APS-C).

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The A390 was brought out 2 months after the NEX-5 so they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Sony A390 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony NEX-5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short overview of how the A390 grades versus the NEX-5 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Sony NEX-5

 A390 NEX-5 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Sony A390

 NEX-5 A390 
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kCrisper screen (+690k dot)

Common features in the Sony A390 and Sony NEX-5

 A390 NEX-5 
IntroducedJuly 2010June 2010Similar generation
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you are going to need to take into account its weight and size. The Sony A390 has physical dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") along with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5 has specifications of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") along with a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).

Look at the Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-5 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you select at that moment. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the A390 compared to the NEX-5.

Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-5 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A390 and NEX-5 is 66 and 89 respectively.

Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-5 top view buttons comparison

Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its difficult to imagine the difference between sensor sizes only by checking technical specs. The pic underneath should offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the A390 and NEX-5.

As you have seen, both cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same megapixels so you should expect similar quality of files however you would want to take the release date of the products into consideration.

Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-5 sensor size comparison

Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A390 Portrait photography advice
Sony NEX-5 Portrait photography advice
72
has manual focus
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
72
has manual focus
decent megapixels (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony A390 Street photography highlights
Sony NEX-5 Street photography highlights
76
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
76
screen tilts
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony A390
Sports photography with Sony NEX-5
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
slow fps (3.0 frames per second)
bad battery pack (230 shots)
52
decent megapixels (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
no image stabilization
has no phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Sony A390 Travel photography highlights
Sony NEX-5 Travel photography highlights
53
good MP (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse recording
bad battery pack (230 per charge)
does not have a selfie friendly display
59
decent megapixels (14MP)
does not have Time Lapse mode
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A390 Landscape photography information
Sony NEX-5 Landscape photography information
61
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen is small (2.7 inch)
bad battery pack (230 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse recording
68
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A390 Vlogging highlights
Sony NEX-5 Vlogging highlights
9
can't record video
28
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
does not have mic socket
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Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A390 and Sony NEX-5
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A390Sony Alpha NEX-5
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 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 dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4592 x 3056 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony/Minolta Alpha Sony E
Total lenses 143 121
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.49x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash settings 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
Max flash synchronize 1/160 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - AVCHD
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 549g (1.21 lb) 287g (0.63 lb)
Physical dimensions 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 66 69
DXO Color Depth score 22.5 22.2
DXO Dynamic range score 11.5 12.2
DXO Low light score 607 796
Other
Battery life 230 images 330 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model 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 Single Single
Launch price $500 $599