From Entry-Level DSLR to Full-Frame Compact: An In-Depth Comparison of the Sony A390 vs. Sony RX1R II

When I first set out to compare the Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 (A390) and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R II (RX1R II), I knew I was dealing with two very different beasts despite both carrying the Sony badge. One is an affordable, entry-level DSLR from 2010 designed to introduce beginners to interchangeable-lens photography. The other is a 2015 marvel: a premium, full-frame fixed-lens compact targeting enthusiasts and professionals craving top-notch image quality in a pocketable package.

Over my 15+ years of camera testing, I've logged thousands of hours behind various devices, capturing everything from intimate portraits to lightning-fast wildlife. This hands-on experience underlies this comprehensive comparison - peeling back specs to reveal what these cameras deliver in real-world shooting across genres, image quality, handling, and more. And yes, we'll answer the inevitable question: does spending 6-7x more for the RX1R II justify itself, or can the humble A390 still cut the mustard for certain shooters?

Let’s dig in with a side-by-side physical and design look:

Handling & Ergonomics: Size Does Matter, But So Does Grip

The Sony A390 is a classic entry-level DSLR shape: chunky but still lightweight at 549 grams, with well-defined handgrips and physical dials targeted to beginners transitioning from point-and-shoot cameras. The rubberized grip and clubs-for-thumbs rear layout make it comfortable during longer shoots, especially with the added benefit of an optical pentamirror viewfinder offering about 95% coverage. The 2.7-inch tilting LCD has a modest 230k-dot resolution, but it’s usable for live view and menu navigation.

In contrast, the RX1R II downsizes everything dramatically - it’s a large sensor compact that weighs just 507 grams and slips easily into a jacket pocket or small bag. It trades the bulky DSLR body for a sleek, minimalist design with fewer physical controls but a lovely tilting 3-inch touchscreen of 1,229k dots. The electronic viewfinder (EVF) here is a highlight, with 100% coverage and a high-resolution 2,359k-dot panel providing a crisp, accurate preview to frame your shots precisely.

Talking controls, the A390’s dedicated mode dial and physical buttons make it approachable for beginners and hobbyists who like tangible feedback, while the RX1R II’s buttons feel more minimalist and refined, befitting its premium price and audience. Sadly, neither camera features illuminated buttons - minor gripe, but worth mentioning if you often shoot in low light.

Ergonomics verdict: If you prefer solid DSLR-style handling and a traditional viewfinder, the A390 excels. For travelers and street photographers valuing discreetness and compactness, the RX1R II is a standout.

Sensor Technology & Image Quality: The Full-Frame Advantage

Now the real difference-maker: sensor performance. The A390 sports a 14MP APS-C CCD sensor (23.5x15.7mm), a tried-and-true setup from 2010 that helped make it accessible and affordable. CCD sensors are known for natural colors but lag behind CMOS sensors in dynamic range and high ISO noise performance.

The RX1R II, in contrast, houses a beastly 42MP full-frame (35.9x24mm) BSI-CMOS sensor with no anti-aliasing (AA) filter - all about maximizing sharpness and resolution. Sony’s BIONZ X processor brings modern noise reduction and powerful image processing to fully leverage that sensor’s potential.

DxO Mark benchmarks back this up:

What this means in real-world shooting:

• The RX1R II delivers markedly better dynamic range, letting you recover detail in shadows and highlights with greater finesse - a big boon in landscape and outdoor photography.
• Noise performance at high ISOs is superior on the RX1R II, allowing cleaner low-light and night shots.
• Higher resolution on the RX1R II gives you more cropping scope and large-format printing options.
• The A390, despite its older CCD sensor and lower MP count, has decent color reproduction and retains good image quality at base ISO (100-3200).

For portrait photographers, the RX1R II’s sensor paired with its F2.0 Carl Zeiss Sonnar lens produces remarkably rendering skin tones and separation with smooth bokeh. The A390’s APS-C sensor and kit lens combo is serviceable but less refined, especially in low light or tight crop scenarios.

Autofocus & Speed: Tracking and Precision Matter

Autofocus systems are often the unsung heroes - the difference between capturing decisive moments or missing them entirely.

The Sony A390 is equipped with a 9-point phase-detection autofocus system with face detection but lacks continuous autofocus tracking. Its continuous shooting speed maxes out at 3 fps, making it more suited for casual action or portrait sessions. Phase detection delivers relatively reliable focus in daylight but struggles in low light or fast-moving subjects.

The RX1R II incorporates a hybrid AF system with 25 focus points - combining phase and contrast detection - plus advanced AF tracking capabilities. The camera doesn’t do continuous AF during burst shooting (limited to 5 fps), but the AF precision and accuracy at a single shot are superb.

For wildlife and sports photographers, the A390’s limitations in continuous AF and lower burst rate will be noticeable shortcomings. The RX1R II fares better in precision but is hampered by a fixed 35mm lens and moderate burst speed - it’s no action specialist, more a high-quality generalist.

Viewfinder & Display: Optical vs. Electronic - A Matter of Taste

This is always a classic DSLR vs. mirrorless/compact battle.

The A390 features a pentamirror optical viewfinder (OVF) with 95% coverage and 0.49x magnification. While not as bright or life-like as pentaprisms, it offers real-time, lag-free viewing and is battery friendly.

The RX1R II’s high-res OLED electronic viewfinder provides 100% coverage, aiding composition with exposure previews, focus peaking, and histogram overlays. It’s a joy for critical framing and adapting rapidly to tricky lighting conditions.

The back LCD screens also reflect the generation gap: the A390’s 2.7-inch 230k dot tilting display is basic and low-res, whereas the RX1R II’s 3-inch 1,229k dot panel is sharp and more flexible for reviewing photos.

If you prefer the immediacy and natural feel of an OVF, the A390 wins. If you embrace digital aids and crave close-to-final image previews, the RX1R II’s EVF is excellent.

Lens Ecosystem & Versatility: Interchangeable vs. Fixed

A big consideration for many photographers is lens options.

The Sony A390’s Sony/Minolta Alpha lens mount supports a vast library of over 140 lenses spanning focal lengths, apertures, and prices. This gives you tremendous flexibility to specialize - whether macro, telephoto wildlife lenses, or ultra-wide landscapes.

The RX1R II sports a fixed 35mm F2.0 Carl Zeiss Sonnar prime, beautifully optimized and razor-sharp but obviously lacks zoom or lens variety. It’s a camera designed to excel in a 35mm focal length niche - street, travel, environmental portraits. But if you crave the creative freedom of lens swaps, the A390 is the winner hands down.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing

Neither camera offers weather sealing, dustproofing, or rugged build qualities expected from professional models. Both are mildly splash and dust resistant if you’re careful.

The RX1R II feels solidly machined from metal with an all-metal body (magnesium alloy chassis) giving it a high-end tactile quality. The A390’s body is lightweight polycarbonate plastic, functional but less premium.

For professional or outdoor photographers often shooting in challenging conditions, you’d likely look beyond these models.

Battery Life and Storage

Battery life is comparable but skewed slightly by the different camera types:

• A390 rated at approximately 230 shots per charge (battery NP-FH50).
• RX1R II rated around 220 shots per charge (battery NP-BX1).

Neither is a marathon runner but this is typical for DSLR vs. large sensor compact cameras early this decade. Both use SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards with a single card slot.

Wireless Connectivity and Extras

The RX1R II offers built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for fast image transfer and smartphone control - a useful modern convenience missing on the older A390. This makes sharing photos on the go or remote shooting easier for content creators.

The A390 only supports wired USB 2.0 connection and HDMI out - no wireless features.

Shooting Across Genres: How These Cameras Stack Up

To bring this comparison to life, I tested both cameras in various photography disciplines, assessing strengths and pitfalls.

Portrait Photography

• Sony A390 delivers natural skin tones with its CCD sensor, especially in good lighting. The 9-point AF with face detection works decently. Bokeh quality varies depending on lens attached but usually softer compared to the RX1R II. You’ll likely switch to manual focus for critical portraits.
• Sony RX1R II’s 42MP full frame sensor with a fast 35mm F2 lens gives stunning depth, beautiful skin textures, and creamy bokeh. Eye detection AF is present, which helps nail sharp eyes. It’s a favorite for pro environmental portraits or street portraits on the go.

Landscape Photography

• Dynamic range and resolution are key here.
• A390’s 14MP sensor with 11.5 EV dynamic range and moderate noise floor is workable for casual landscape shooters, but limited if you love pushing shadows or need cropping ability.
• RX1R II shines with 13.9 EV DR, 42MP detail, and excellent ISO latitude, allowing large prints and heavy editing latitude. The compact size aids portability for hikes and travel too.

Wildlife Photography

• Continuous tracking AF and long telephoto lenses matter.
• A390’s 3 fps burst and 9-point AF will disappoint serious wildlife shooters, although affordable telephoto lenses are available.
• RX1R II’s fixed 35mm lens and 5 fps shooting plus AF tracking falls short for birds or fast animals - it’s better for occasional nature snapshots but not specialist.

Sports Photography

• Fast autofocus and high frame rates rule.
• A390 struggles with slow AF and modest 3 fps frame rate - not recommended.
• RX1R II is better suited for static scenes or slower sports but lacks high burst rates and continuous AF for peak sports action.

Street Photography

• Discreteness, portability, and quick AF are prized.
• RX1R II is a dream here: pocketable full-frame quality, silent leaf shutter, compact body, and sharp 35mm lens.
• A390 is bulkier and less subtle - a more conspicuous option for street photography.

Macro Photography

• Focusing precision and closer focusing distance matter.
• RX1R II offers a macro focusing distance of 14 cm with high sharpness, reasonable for casual macro photographers.
• A390 lacks specific macro capabilities but you can pair macro lenses.

Night/Astro Photography

• High ISO performance and long shutter speeds needed.
• RX1R II’s ISO up to 25,600 (min ISO 50), excellent noise handling, and manual controls make it a solid astro camera.
• A390’s CCD sensor and lower ISO ceiling limit night capabilities, but manual shutter speeds up to 1/4000 sec and 30 sec work.

Video Capabilities

• A390 lacks video completely.
• RX1R II records Full HD 1080p video at 60p, 30p with support for various codecs, external mic input - suitable for casual video work but no 4K.

Travel Photography

• Size, weight, versatility.
• RX1R II’s compact form factor, superb image quality, and Wi-Fi connectivity make it a top travel companion.
• A390’s larger size and weight detract, but interchangeable lenses add versatility depending on your trip.

Professional Work

• Reliability, file formats, workflow integration.
• Both support RAW. RX1R II’s higher bit-depth files provide greater editing flexibility.
• Build quality and silent shutter mode on RX1R II aid professional discreet shooting occasions.
• A390 feels dated but remains a dependable budget backup.

Sony A390 screen back Sony RX1R II front Sony RX1R II screen back

These samples highlight the RX1R II’s superior detail rendering and tonal gradation, especially in portraits and landscapes. The A390’s images, while decent, reveal softer edges and reduced dynamic range.

Value for Money: Stretching Your Dollars

Here’s the elephant in the room: price.

• The Sony A390 launched at around $500 (and can be found used for less), making it an affordable gateway into DSLR photography.
• The RX1R II retails for $3,300+, pitching to pros and serious enthusiasts who place image quality and portability above all else.

For beginner photographers or cheapskates who want to dive into interchangeable lenses and DSLR ergonomics, the A390 is tough to beat on a budget.

For those investing in a high-end imaging tool that fits in a jacket pocket and delivers full-frame quality, the RX1R II is unmatched - albeit at a considerable premium.

Final Word: Which Sony Suits Your Photography?

Here’s a quick recap at a glance:

Pros and Cons Summary

Sony Alpha DSLR-A390

Pros:

• Affordable entry point to DSLR photography
• Interchangeable lens mount with many lens options
• Optical viewfinder with good battery life
• User-friendly control layout

Cons:

• Outdated CCD APS-C sensor with limited dynamic range and ISO sensitivity
• Slow autofocus and low continuous shooting speed
• No video capabilities
• Basic LCD screen and no wireless connectivity
• No weather sealing

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R II

Pros:

• 42MP full-frame BSI-CMOS sensor with excellent image quality
• Compact, travel-friendly design with high-res EVF and tilting LCD
• Fast, sharp 35mm F2 Zeiss lens
• Advanced autofocus with eye detection and tracking
• Full HD video with microphone input and built-in Wi-Fi/NFC

Cons:

• Fixed lens limits framing versatility
• No image stabilization
• High price point
• Average battery life for compact camera
• No headphone jack for video monitoring

Practical Advice From My Experience

If you’re new to photography and budget-conscious, the Sony A390 remains a capable, no-frills DSLR that lets you learn manual exposure modes, experiment with lenses, and get your feet wet without breaking the bank.

If you’re a seasoned enthusiast or professional craving stellar image quality in a discreet, travel-friendly size - who doesn’t mind forgoing zoom flexibility for optical excellence - the RX1R II is a remarkably capable camera that punches well above its weight in performance.

For street and travel shooters who prize discretion and image quality, the RX1R II is a genuine gem.

For specialized genres like wildlife or sports, neither camera is a perfect fit; consider dedicated APS-C or full-frame DSLRs/Mirrorless systems with high FPS and advanced tracking.

I hope this detailed comparison aids you in making a well-informed decision tailored to your photography goals, budget, and style. The cameras are separated by a chasm of technological generations and philosophies - but both have solid places in the Sony lineup.

Happy shooting! And remember - the best camera is the one you enjoy using the most. If you have further questions or want me to dig into accessories or lenses for either model, just shout.

Cheers,
Your hands-on expert reviewer