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Sony A390 vs Sony HX5

Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54
Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Sony A390 vs Sony HX5 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
  • Launched July 2010
  • Superseded the Sony A380
Sony HX5
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 200g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
  • Announced June 2010
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Sony A390 vs Sony HX5 Overview

Below, we will be contrasting the Sony A390 versus Sony HX5, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both are manufactured by Sony. There exists a substantial gap between the resolutions of the A390 (14MP) and HX5 (10MP) and the A390 (APS-C) and HX5 (1/2.4") come with totally different sensor dimensions.

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The A390 was announced 2 months later than the HX5 which means that they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Sony A390 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony HX5 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief overview of how the A390 grades vs the HX5 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Sony HX5

 A390 HX5 
Manual focus Very precise focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Reasons to pick Sony HX5 over the Sony A390

 HX5 A390 
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Sony A390 and Sony HX5

 A390 HX5 
AnnouncedJuly 2010June 2010Similar age
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Sony A390 vs Sony HX5 Physical Comparison

If you're going to lug around your camera frequently, you need to factor its weight and size. The Sony A390 has external dimensions 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 HX5 has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).

Compare the Sony A390 versus Sony HX5 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the A390 and the HX5.

Sony A390 vs Sony HX5 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A390 and HX5 is 66 and 92 respectively.

Sony A390 vs Sony HX5 top view buttons comparison

Sony A390 vs Sony HX5 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's difficult to see the difference between sensor measurements merely by looking at specs. The photograph underneath will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the A390 and HX5.

All in all, both of those cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The A390 using its bigger sensor will make achieving bokeh easier and the Sony A390 will resolve more detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots much more aggressively.

Sony A390 vs Sony HX5 sensor size comparison

Sony A390 vs Sony HX5 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A390 vs Sony HX5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A390 Portrait photography information
Sony HX5 Portrait photography information
72
you can focus manually
good megapixels (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
19
lack of manual focus
no external flash support
MP count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.4")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Sony A390 Street photography features
Sony HX5 Street photography features
76
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
55
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.4")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sony A390 as a Sports photography camera
Sony HX5 as a Sports photography camera
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
bad battery (230 CIPA)
26
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.4")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A390 Travel photography features
Sony HX5 Travel photography features
53
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
missing Timelapse function
bad battery (230 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
60
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
MP count low (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A390 Landscape photography highlights
Sony HX5 Landscape photography highlights
61
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is small (2.7 inches)
bad battery (230 CIPA)
missing Timelapse function
37
pretty wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.4")
doesn't have RAW support
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A390 Vlogging highlights
Sony HX5 Vlogging highlights
9
no video recording
31
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing external mic jack
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Sony A390 vs Sony HX5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A390 and Sony HX5
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A390Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5
Category Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2010-07-28 2010-06-16
Body design Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz Bionz
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.4"
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 6.104 x 4.578mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 27.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4592 x 3056 3456 x 2592
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-250mm (10.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Number of lenses 143 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.9
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.49x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 3.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (60, 30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 549 grams (1.21 lbs) 200 grams (0.44 lbs)
Dimensions 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 66 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.5 not tested
DXO Low light score 607 not tested
Other
Battery life 230 images -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NP-FH50 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, portrait1/portrait2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo/ PRO HG-Duo, optional SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $500 $275