• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A390 advantages over Sony A99

  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $2800 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Lighter weight
    549g vs 828g
    Lighter weight

Sony A99 advantages over Sony DSLR-A390

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.97 vs 5.16 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Better color depth
    25.0 vs 22.5 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,555 vs 607 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.9 vs 11.5 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More cross-type AF points
    3 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1229k 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 viewfinder magnification
    0.71x vs 0.49x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 14.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • More AF points
    19 vs 9
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

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
Sony A99
Nikon D5000
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection

Compared to Sony DSLR-A290

Sony DSLR-A390
Sony DSLR-A290
  • $507
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More viewfinder magnification
Sony A99
Sony DSLR-A290
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

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
Sony A99
Sony DSLR-A580
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Nikon D800

Sony DSLR-A390
Nikon D800
  • $507
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Sony A99
Nikon D800
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Sony DSLR-A390
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $507
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $2139
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Sony A99
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2139
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
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