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Sony A390 vs Sony WX1

Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54
Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX1 front
Portability
96
Imaging
33
Features
18
Overall
27

Sony A390 vs Sony WX1 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
  • Launched July 2010
  • Superseded the Sony A380
Sony WX1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.4-5.9) lens
  • 149g - 91 x 52 x 20mm
  • Released August 2009
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Sony A390 vs Sony WX1 Overview

Following is a in depth analysis of the Sony A390 versus Sony WX1, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Ultracompact and both of them are sold by Sony. There is a significant difference between the image resolutions of the A390 (14MP) and WX1 (10MP) and the A390 (APS-C) and WX1 (1/2.4") boast totally different sensor dimensions.

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The A390 was revealed 12 months after the WX1 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both cameras feature different body design with the Sony A390 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony WX1 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before we go straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple view of how the A390 grades vs the WX1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Sony WX1

 A390 WX1 
ReleasedJuly 2010August 2009More modern by 12 months
Focus manually Very exact focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Reasons to pick Sony WX1 over the Sony A390

 WX1 A390 

Common features in the Sony A390 and Sony WX1

 A390 WX1 
Screen size2.7"2.7"Same screen sizing
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Sony A390 vs Sony WX1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to think about its weight and size. The Sony A390 features outer dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") and a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs) whilst the Sony WX1 has specifications of 91mm x 52mm x 20mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.8") with a weight of 149 grams (0.33 lbs).

Compare the Sony A390 versus Sony WX1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you use at the time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the A390 against the WX1.

Sony A390 vs Sony WX1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the A390 and WX1 is 66 and 96 respectively.

Sony A390 vs Sony WX1 top view buttons comparison

Sony A390 vs Sony WX1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes simply by looking at specs. The image here will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the A390 and WX1.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The A390 having a bigger sensor will make getting shallow DOF easier and the Sony A390 will give greater detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more modern A390 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Sony A390 vs Sony WX1 sensor size comparison

Sony A390 vs Sony WX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A390 vs Sony WX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony A390
Portrait photography with Sony WX1
72
manual focus
decent MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
19
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.4")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sony A390 as a Street photography camera
Sony WX1 as a Street photography camera
76
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
55
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.4")
no RAW format
heavier than competitors (149 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sony A390 as a Sports photography camera
Sony WX1 as a Sports photography camera
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
low frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
bad battery life (230 shots)
26
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.4")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A390 Travel photography info
Sony WX1 Travel photography info
53
decent MP (14MP)
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse mode
bad battery life (230 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
56
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
no Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors (149g)
low MP (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A390 Landscape photography info
Sony WX1 Landscape photography info
61
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen is small (2.7 inches)
bad battery life (230 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse mode
31
relatively wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.4)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.4")
no RAW format
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A390 Vlogging details
Sony WX1 Vlogging details
9
can't shoot video
28
relatively wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.4)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic support
heavier than competitors (149g)
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Sony A390 vs Sony WX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A390 and Sony WX1
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A390Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX1
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX1
Class Entry-Level DSLR Ultracompact
Launched 2010-07-28 2009-08-06
Physical type Compact SLR Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor 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, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4592 x 3056 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 100 160
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-120mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture - f/2.4-5.9
Macro focus range - 5cm
Available lenses 143 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.9
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.49x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 2s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 5.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1280x720
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
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) 149 grams (0.33 pounds)
Physical dimensions 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") 91 x 52 x 20mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 shots -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NP-FH50 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $500 $149