• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A390 advantages over Panasonic GX1

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $950 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.16 vs 3.77 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 500 vs 310 shots
    Capture more photos

Panasonic GX1 advantages over Sony DSLR-A390

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Higher effective ISO
    703 vs 607 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Thinner
    39 mm vs 83 mm
    Thinner
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

  • Appealing design; Good grip; Very good image quality; Fast autofocus; Built-in Level Gauge.

  • Small rear buttons; Below-average battery life; Weak flash; Orange and yellow can have greenish cast in JPEGs; Shutter-induced motion blur with 14-42mm X Vario kit lens.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D5000

Sony DSLR-A390
Nikon D5000
  • $507
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
Panasonic GX1
Nikon D5000
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Thinner
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sony DSLR-A290

Sony DSLR-A390
Sony DSLR-A290
  • $507
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More viewfinder magnification
Panasonic GX1
Sony DSLR-A290
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

Compared to Sony DSLR-A580

Sony DSLR-A390
Sony DSLR-A580
  • $507
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Higher effective ISO
Panasonic GX1
Sony DSLR-A580
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Olympus E-P3

Sony DSLR-A390
Olympus E-P3
  • $507
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Thinner
Panasonic GX1
Olympus E-P3
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Fast startup

Compared to Panasonic GF6

Sony DSLR-A390
Panasonic GF6
  • $507
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen
Panasonic GX1
Panasonic GF6
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
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