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Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-5R

Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54
Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5R front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
76
Overall
64

Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-5R 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
  • Replaced the Sony A380
Sony NEX-5R
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Launched August 2012
  • Old Model is Sony NEX-5N
  • Later Model is Sony NEX-5T
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Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-5R Overview

Its time to examine more closely at the Sony A390 and Sony NEX-5R, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both sold by Sony. The resolution of the A390 (14MP) and the NEX-5R (16MP) is relatively well matched and they come with the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The A390 was launched 3 years prior to the NEX-5R which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Sony A390 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony NEX-5R being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a quick summary of how the A390 grades versus the NEX-5R with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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

 A390 NEX-5R 

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

 NEX-5R A390 
LaunchedAugust 2012July 2010More modern by 25 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kCrisper screen (+690k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

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

 A390 NEX-5R 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-5R Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry around your camera often, you will need to think about its weight and measurements. The Sony A390 provides 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) whilst the Sony NEX-5R has proportions of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

Examine the Sony A390 and Sony NEX-5R in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you choose during that time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the A390 against the NEX-5R.

Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-5R size comparison

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

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

Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-5R Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be difficult to envision the difference between sensor sizes merely by reading through specifications. The pic underneath may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the A390 and NEX-5R.

To sum up, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Sony NEX-5R to give more detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots a little more aggressively. The more aged A390 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-5R sensor size comparison

Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Sony A390 Portrait photography details
Sony NEX-5R Portrait photography details
72
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
74
focusing manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony A390
Street photography with Sony NEX-5R
76
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
80
screen tilts
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
provides focus via touch
above average ISO range (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sony A390 Sports photography advice
Sony NEX-5R Sports photography advice
60
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
slow fps (3.0 frames per second)
bad battery pack (230 shots)
68
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
comes with phase detect autofocus
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Sony A390 Travel photography info
Sony NEX-5R Travel photography info
53
decent megapixels (14MP)
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse mode
bad battery pack (230 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
73
provides focus via touch
MP count good (16 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony A390
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-5R
61
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen is small (2.7 inches)
bad battery pack (230 per charge)
missing Time Lapse mode
75
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
above average ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony A390
Vlogging with Sony NEX-5R
9
can't record video
31
touchscreen
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
no external mic socket
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Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-5R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A390 and Sony NEX-5R
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A390Sony Alpha NEX-5R
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 Sony Alpha NEX-5R
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2010-07-28 2012-08-29
Physical type 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 14MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4592 x 3056 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 3200 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 99
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony/Minolta Alpha Sony E
Number of lenses 143 121
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Tilting Tilting
Display sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology - Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.49x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 10.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
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
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum 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
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 pounds) 276g (0.61 pounds)
Dimensions 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 66 78
DXO Color Depth score 22.5 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 11.5 13.1
DXO Low light score 607 910
Other
Battery life 230 pictures 330 pictures
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 With downloadable app
Storage type SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $500 $750