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Sony A390 vs Sony RX100 II

Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54
Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II front
Portability
89
Imaging
51
Features
74
Overall
60

Sony A390 vs Sony RX100 II 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
  • Old Model is Sony A380
Sony RX100 II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 160 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
  • 281g - 102 x 58 x 38mm
  • Revealed June 2013
  • Replaced the Sony RX100
  • Replacement is Sony RX100 III
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Sony A390 vs Sony RX100 II Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Sony A390 versus Sony RX100 II, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Large Sensor Compact and both of them are offered by Sony. There exists a significant gap among the resolutions of the A390 (14MP) and RX100 II (20MP) and the A390 (APS-C) and RX100 II (1") possess totally different sensor size.

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The A390 was introduced 3 years before the RX100 II which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Sony A390 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony RX100 II being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before delving in to a complete comparison, below is a short introduction of how the A390 scores against the RX100 II when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Sony RX100 II

 A390 RX100 II 

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 II over the Sony A390

 RX100 II A390 
RevealedJune 2013July 2010Newer by 35 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1229k230kClearer display (+999k dot)

Common features in the Sony A390 and Sony RX100 II

 A390 RX100 II 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Sony A390 vs Sony RX100 II Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor its weight and measurements. The Sony A390 features physical measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") having a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs) and the Sony RX100 II has proportions of 102mm x 58mm x 38mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 281 grams (0.62 lbs).

Check out the Sony A390 versus Sony RX100 II in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are using at the time. Following is the front view scale comparison of the A390 compared to the RX100 II.

Sony A390 vs Sony RX100 II size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A390 and RX100 II is 66 and 89 respectively.

Sony A390 vs Sony RX100 II top view buttons comparison

Sony A390 vs Sony RX100 II Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to see the difference in sensor dimensions simply by seeing a spec sheet. The picture underneath might give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the A390 and RX100 II.

As you can see, the 2 cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The A390 with its larger sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field easier and the Sony RX100 II will produce extra detail using its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The more aged A390 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Sony A390 vs Sony RX100 II sensor size comparison

Sony A390 vs Sony RX100 II Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A390 vs Sony RX100 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A390 Portrait photography advice
Sony RX100 II Portrait photography advice
72
focusing manually
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
70
manual focus
high flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
decent MP (20MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
features face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony A390 as a Street photography camera
Sony RX100 II as a Street photography camera
76
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
85
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is nice (1")
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition in class (281g)
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Sports Comparison

Sony A390 Sports photography advice
Sony RX100 II Sports photography advice
60
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
low fps (3.0 frames/s)
bad battery power (230 CIPA)
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (1")
features tracking autofocus
good battery life (350 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony A390 as a Travel photography camera
Sony RX100 II as a Travel photography camera
53
decent megapixels (14MP)
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
bad battery power (230 per charge)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
80
good battery life (350 CIPA)
lighter than competition in class (281 grams)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony A390
Landscape photography with Sony RX100 II
61
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen is small (2.7 inch)
bad battery power (230 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse recording
74
manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
delivers RAW files
good battery life (350 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A390 Vlogging info
Sony RX100 II Vlogging info
9
no video recording
37
pretty wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (281 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone support
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Sony A390 vs Sony RX100 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A390 and Sony RX100 II
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A390Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II
Class Entry-Level DSLR Large Sensor Compact
Launched 2010-07-28 2013-06-27
Physical type Compact SLR Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Bionz -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1"
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4592 x 3056 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Highest enhanced ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 160
RAW data
Minimum enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-100mm (3.6x)
Largest aperture - f/1.8-4.9
Macro focus range - 5cm
Amount of lenses 143 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 2.7
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 1,229 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech - Xtra Fine WhiteMagic TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.49x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 15.00 m (ISO Auto (W))
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 secs 1/2000 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 549 grams (1.21 pounds) 281 grams (0.62 pounds)
Dimensions 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") 102 x 58 x 38mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 66 67
DXO Color Depth score 22.5 22.5
DXO Dynamic range score 11.5 12.4
DXO Low light score 607 483
Other
Battery life 230 images 350 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FH50 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (10 sec. / 2 sec. / Self-portrait One-person/ Self-portrait Two-person/ Self timer Continuous (3 or 5 shots))
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Launch cost $500 $598