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Sony A390 vs Sony a1

Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54
Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61
Imaging
81
Features
93
Overall
85

Sony A390 vs Sony a1 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
  • Announced July 2010
  • Earlier Model is Sony A380
Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Increase to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Released January 2021
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Sony A390 vs Sony a1 Overview

Here is a thorough assessment of the Sony A390 versus Sony a1, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Pro Mirrorless and both are offered by Sony. There is a large difference between the sensor resolutions of the A390 (14MP) and a1 (50MP) and the A390 (APS-C) and a1 (Full frame) come with totally different sensor sizes.

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The A390 was manufactured 11 years before the a1 and that is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Sony A390 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony a1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going through a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple summary of how the A390 grades against the a1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Sony a1

 A390 a1 

Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Sony A390

 a1 A390 
ReleasedJanuary 2021July 2010Fresher by 127 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1440k230kClearer display (+1210k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Sony A390 and Sony a1

 A390 a1 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Sony A390 vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to factor in its weight and volume. The Sony A390 offers exterior 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 a1 has sizing of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).

Check the Sony A390 versus Sony a1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the A390 vs the a1.

Sony A390 vs Sony a1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the A390 and a1 is 66 and 61 respectively.

Sony A390 vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison

Sony A390 vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its hard to see the difference between sensor sizing merely by looking at specifications. The visual here might give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the A390 and a1.

Plainly, both the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The A390 because of its tinier sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field tougher and the Sony a1 will give you greater detail due to its extra 36MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics far more aggressively. The older A390 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Sony A390 vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison

Sony A390 vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A390 vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A390 Portrait photography info
Sony a1 Portrait photography info
72
has manual focus
megapixel count good (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
88
has manual focus
above average flash sync (1/400s)
fantastic resolution (50MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has face detect focus
supports RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Sony A390 Street photography features
Sony a1 Street photography features
76
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
79
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
offers touch to focus
weather proofing
very good ISO range (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony A390
Sports photography with Sony a1
60
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
max fps very slow (3.0 frames per second)
terrible battery life (230 per charge)
90
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
quiet shooting (1/32,000s)
fast shooting (30.0 frames per second)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic resolution (50 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking focus
weather proofing
better than average battery pack (530 shots)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A390 Travel photography factors
Sony a1 Travel photography factors
53
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse recording
terrible battery life (230 CIPA)
does not contain selfie friendly display
73
better than average battery pack (530 per charge)
weather proofing
connects via bluetooth
offers touch to focus
fantastic resolution (50MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A390 Landscape photography advice
Sony a1 Landscape photography advice
61
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
terrible battery life (230 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
88
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic resolution (50MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
very good ISO range (32,000)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
better than average battery pack (530 per charge)
has double storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony A390
Vlogging with Sony a1
9
no video recording
36
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect focus
high video quality (7680 x 4320 pixels)
includes microphone port
display is not selfie friendly
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Sony A390 vs Sony a1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A390 and Sony a1
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A390Sony Alpha a1
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 Sony Alpha a1
Category Entry-Level DSLR Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2010-07-28 2021-01-26
Body design Compact SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 50 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4592 x 3056 8640 x 5760
Max native ISO 3200 32000
Max enhanced ISO - 102400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Lowest enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 759
Lens
Lens mount type Sony/Minolta Alpha Sony E
Total lenses 143 133
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 1,440 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 9,437 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.49x 0.9x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Max quiet shutter speed - 1/32000s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per sec 30.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160s 1/400s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Max video resolution None 7680x4320
Video file format - XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 549 gr (1.21 lb) 737 gr (1.62 lb)
Dimensions 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 66 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.5 not tested
DXO Low light rating 607 not tested
Other
Battery life 230 photographs 530 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FH50 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Storage slots One 2
Pricing at release $500 $6,498