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Sony A390 vs Sony RX1

Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54
Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 front
Portability
79
Imaging
69
Features
57
Overall
64

Sony A390 vs Sony RX1 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 RX1
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 35mm (F2.0-22.0) lens
  • 482g - 113 x 65 x 70mm
  • Announced February 2013
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Sony A390 vs Sony RX1 Overview

Its time to examine more closely at the Sony A390 vs Sony RX1, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Large Sensor Compact and they are both manufactured by Sony. There is a considerable difference between the sensor resolutions of the A390 (14MP) and RX1 (24MP) and the A390 (APS-C) and RX1 (Full frame) possess totally different sensor dimensions.

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The A390 was manufactured 3 years prior to the RX1 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Sony A390 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony RX1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before going in to a detailed comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the A390 grades against the RX1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Sony RX1

 A390 RX1 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Reasons to pick Sony RX1 over the Sony A390

 RX1 A390 
AnnouncedFebruary 2013July 2010More modern by 31 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1229k230kSharper display (+999k dot)

Common features in the Sony A390 and Sony RX1

 A390 RX1 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Sony A390 vs Sony RX1 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry around your camera often, you're going to have to factor its weight and volume. The Sony A390 has outside dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") and a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs) and the Sony RX1 has sizing of 113mm x 65mm x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8") having a weight of 482 grams (1.06 lbs).

Check out the Sony A390 vs Sony RX1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the A390 and the RX1.

Sony A390 vs Sony RX1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the A390 and RX1 is 66 and 79 respectively.

Sony A390 vs Sony RX1 top view buttons comparison

Sony A390 vs Sony RX1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be tough to see the difference between sensor sizes just by reading through specs. The picture underneath will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the A390 and RX1.

All in all, the 2 cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The A390 because of its tinier sensor will make getting shallower DOF more difficult and the Sony RX1 will give you greater detail due to its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images a little more aggressively. The more aged A390 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Sony A390 vs Sony RX1 sensor size comparison

Sony A390 vs Sony RX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A390 vs Sony RX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A390 Portrait photography highlights
Sony RX1 Portrait photography highlights
72
has manual focus
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
delivers RAW files
81
manual focus
high flash sync speed (1/4,000 seconds)
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
includes face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony A390 as a Street photography camera
Sony RX1 as a Street photography camera
76
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
66
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
good ISO range (25,600)
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than average (482 grams)
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Sony A390 Sports photography details
Sony RX1 Sports photography details
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
slow fps (3.0 frames per second)
terrible battery life (230 CIPA)
53
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
can't change focal length (35mm)
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
low battery pack (270 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A390 as a Travel photography camera
Sony RX1 as a Travel photography camera
53
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
no Timelapse function
terrible battery life (230 CIPA)
does not offer selfie friendly display
62
good MP (24MP)
has built in flash
good max aperture (f2.0)
missing Timelapse mode
low battery pack (270 per charge)
more heavy than average (482 grams)
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A390 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony RX1 as a Landscape photography camera
61
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
tiny screen (2.7")
terrible battery life (230 shots)
no Timelapse function
64
manual focus
good max aperture (f2.0)
good sized screen (3 inches)
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (35mm)
lack of image stabilization
low battery pack (270 shots)
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony A390
Vlogging with Sony RX1
9
can't record video
34
good max aperture (f2.0)
includes face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes microphone jack
does not have selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than average (482 grams)
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Sony A390 vs Sony RX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A390 and Sony RX1
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A390Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1
Type Entry-Level DSLR Large Sensor Compact
Announced 2010-07-28 2013-02-19
Body design Compact SLR Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4592 x 3056 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 3200 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mount type Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 35mm (1x)
Highest aperture - f/2.0-22.0
Total lenses 143 -
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dot 1,229k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - Xtra FineTFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Electronic and Optical (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.49x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 6.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160 secs 1/4000 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 25, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30, 25 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 549 grams (1.21 lbs) 482 grams (1.06 lbs)
Dimensions 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") 113 x 65 x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 66 93
DXO Color Depth rating 22.5 25.1
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.5 14.3
DXO Low light rating 607 2534
Other
Battery life 230 shots 270 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FH50 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $500 $2,798