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Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-5T

Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54
Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5T front
Portability
89
Imaging
58
Features
79
Overall
66

Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-5T 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
  • Introduced July 2010
  • Older Model is Sony A380
Sony NEX-5T
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Revealed August 2013
  • Previous Model is Sony NEX-5R
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Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-5T Overview

On this page, we are looking at the Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-5T, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are designed by Sony. The sensor resolution of the A390 (14MP) and the NEX-5T (16MP) is very well matched and both cameras boast the same sensor size (APS-C).

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The A390 was manufactured 4 years before the NEX-5T which is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Sony A390 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony NEX-5T being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple summation of how the A390 matches up versus the NEX-5T in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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

 A390 NEX-5T 

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

 NEX-5T A390 
RevealedAugust 2013July 2010Newer by 37 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution922k230kClearer display (+692k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

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

 A390 NEX-5T 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display

Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-5T Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera, you are going to need to factor its weight and proportions. The Sony A390 features outer dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") and a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5T has measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") having a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

Check the Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-5T in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the A390 and the NEX-5T.

Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-5T size comparison

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

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

Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-5T Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by looking at specifications. The pic underneath might give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the A390 and NEX-5T.

To sum up, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Sony NEX-5T to resolve extra detail due to its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will let you crop pics a bit more aggressively. The more aged A390 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-5T sensor size comparison

Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-5T Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Sony A390 Portrait photography factors
Sony NEX-5T Portrait photography factors
72
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect focus
exports RAW formats
74
focusing manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony A390 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-5T as a Street photography camera
76
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
80
screen tilts
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
features focus via touch
above average ISO range (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sony A390 as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-5T as a Sports photography camera
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 fps)
not so great battery power (230 shots)
69
good resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
supports phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Sony A390 Travel photography advice
Sony NEX-5T Travel photography advice
53
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
has built in flash
no Timelapse mode
not so great battery power (230 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
77
features focus via touch
good resolution (16MP)
selfie friendly display
missing Timelapse function
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A390 Landscape photography factors
Sony NEX-5T Landscape photography factors
61
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
small screen (2.7 inches)
not so great battery power (230 shots)
no Timelapse mode
70
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
good resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
above average ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A390 as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-5T as a Vlogging camera
9
can't shoot video
73
selfie friendly display
touch screen
supports face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lack of image stabilization
missing external microphone socket
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Sony A390 vs Sony NEX-5T Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A390 and Sony NEX-5T
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A390Sony Alpha NEX-5T
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 Sony Alpha NEX-5T
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2010-07-28 2013-08-27
Physical type Compact SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 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
Highest resolution 4592 x 3056 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 3200 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 99
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support Sony/Minolta Alpha Sony E
Number of lenses 143 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Tilting Tilting
Display size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech - Tilt Up 180° Down 50° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.49x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest 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 white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 7.00 m (ISO100)
Flash options 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
Highest flash synchronize 1/160 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x1080 (60p/60i/24p)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 549 gr (1.21 pounds) 276 gr (0.61 pounds)
Physical 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 rating 66 78
DXO Color Depth rating 22.5 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.5 13.0
DXO Low light rating 607 1015
Other
Battery life 230 photographs 330 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FH50 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ((10/2 sec. delay), Self-timer (Cont.) (with 10 sec. delay; 3/5 exposures))
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $500 $400