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Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54
Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
69
Overall
61

Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-5N 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
  • Superseded the Sony A380
Sony NEX-5N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Introduced October 2011
  • Replaced the Sony NEX-5
  • Successor is Sony NEX-5R
Photography Glossary

Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-5N Overview

Below, we will be looking at the Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-5N, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are created by Sony. The sensor resolution of the A390 (14MP) and the NEX-5N (16MP) is pretty comparable and they feature the exact same sensor size (APS-C).

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The A390 was released 14 months prior to the NEX-5N which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Sony A390 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight into a full comparison, below is a quick summation of how the A390 scores against the NEX-5N with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Sony NEX-5N

 A390 NEX-5N 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Sony A390

 NEX-5N A390 
IntroducedOctober 2011July 2010More modern by 14 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kCrisper screen (+690k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Sony A390 and Sony NEX-5N

 A390 NEX-5N 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry around your camera regularly, you're going to have to think about its weight and volume. The Sony A390 has got outside measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") having a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5N has sizing of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") and a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Compare the Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-5N in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are employing at that time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the A390 versus the NEX-5N.

Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-5N size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the A390 and NEX-5N is 66 and 89 respectively.

Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-5N top view buttons comparison

Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very hard to picture the difference in sensor sizes only by seeing specifications. The pic below might give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the A390 and NEX-5N.

Plainly, both of those cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You can expect the Sony NEX-5N to provide more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures much more aggressively. The more aged A390 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-5N sensor size comparison

Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony A390
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-5N
72
you can focus manually
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has face detection focus
supports RAW files
73
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony A390 Street photography details
Sony NEX-5N Street photography details
76
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
80
tilting screen
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
comes with focus by touch
very good ISO range (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sony A390 Sports photography factors
Sony NEX-5N Sports photography factors
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
low frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
not so great battery pack (230 shots)
58
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
great battery life (460 CIPA)
no image stabilization
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A390 Travel photography details
Sony NEX-5N Travel photography details
53
MP count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse function
not so great battery pack (230 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
70
great battery life (460 shots)
comes with focus by touch
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
no Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A390 Landscape photography information
Sony NEX-5N Landscape photography information
61
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
small screen (2.7 inch)
not so great battery pack (230 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse function
71
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
very good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
great battery life (460 per charge)
no image stabilization
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A390 Vlogging features
Sony NEX-5N Vlogging features
9
no video shooting
33
has touchscreen
offers face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
no external mic port
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Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A390 and Sony NEX-5N
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A390Sony Alpha NEX-5N
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2010-07-28 2011-10-03
Body design Compact SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 surface area 369.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4592 x 3056 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 3200 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens support Sony/Minolta Alpha Sony E
Number of lenses 143 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen sizing 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.49x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
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
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 file format - AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 549 grams (1.21 pounds) 269 grams (0.59 pounds)
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 rating 66 77
DXO Color Depth rating 22.5 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.5 12.7
DXO Low light rating 607 1079
Other
Battery life 230 shots 460 shots
Battery form 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
Storage slots One One
Price at release $500 $550