• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A390 advantages over Samsung NX1100

  • Lens selection
    Good vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • 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 4.29 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 320 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Wider angle kit lens
    27 mm vs 30 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens

Samsung NX1100 advantages over Sony DSLR-A390

  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Higher effective ISO
    852 vs 607 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Thinner
    37 mm vs 83 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    922k 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
  • More pixels
    20.3 vs 14.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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 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

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

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
Samsung NX1100
Nikon D5000
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • 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
Samsung NX1100
Sony DSLR-A290
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • 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
Samsung NX1100
Sony DSLR-A580
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Samsung NX1000

Sony DSLR-A390
Samsung NX1000
  • $507
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Higher effective ISO
Samsung NX1100
Samsung NX1000
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • $500
  • APS-C

Compared to Sony NEX-3N

Sony DSLR-A390
Sony NEX-3N
  • $507
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Samsung NX1100
Sony NEX-3N
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Higher-res screen
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
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