Sony a390 vs Nikon D2Xs

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a390 and Nikon D2Xs. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a390 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D2Xs is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a390 were released 2010 and Nikon D2Xs was released 2006. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a390 2010
Nikon D2Xs 2006

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a390 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D2Xs has a "Nikon DX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a390 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon D2Xs 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Sony a390 has a 14 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D2Xs has 12,2 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a390 14 MP
14033152 pixels
4592 x 3056
Nikon D2Xs 12,2 MP
12212224 pixels
4288 x 2848

Sony a390 has a 15 % larger resolution than Nikon D2Xs. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Both of these cameras offer the exact same ISO range. They both have 100 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a390 100-3200
Nikon D2Xs 100-3200

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a390
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D2Xs

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a390 can shoot up to 2,5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D2Xs can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a390 2,5
Nikon D2Xs 5

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

Though, neither Sony a390 or Nikon D2Xs can shoot movies so if that is a functionality that you are really looking for you should look elsewhere.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Nikon D2Xs weighs 1200 gr (equal to 2.65 lb) which is 119% heavier than Sony a390 and its 549 gr (or 1.21 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a390 549 gr
1.21 lb
Nikon D2Xs 1200 gr
2.65 lb

Sony a390 vs Nikon D2Xs Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a390 and Nikon D2Xs, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Sony a390
Nikon D2Xs
Name Sony a390 Nikon D2Xs
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a390
Nikon D2Xs
Release Year 2010 2006
Release Date 2010-06-09 2006-06-01
MSRP 599 USD 4699 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a390
Nikon D2Xs
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Sony a390
Nikon D2Xs
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CCD CMOS
Resolution 4592 x 3056 pixels 4288 x 2848 pixels
Megapixels 14 MP 12,2 MP
Image Processor Bionz Nikon LSI (Large Scale Integration)
Image
Sony a390
Nikon D2Xs
ISO Range 100 - 3200 100 - 3200
White Balance Presets 6 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a390
Nikon D2Xs
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 9 11
Lens Mount Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
DX / APS-C (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony a390
Nikon D2Xs
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 2.7” 2.5”
Screen dots 230400 235000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A N/A
Live view Yes No
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.74× (0.49× 35mm equiv.) 0.86× (0.57× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a390
Nikon D2Xs
Frames per second 2,5 fps 5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 10 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a390
Nikon D2Xs
Video recording No No
Video format N/A N/A
Video resolution N/A N/A
Built-in Microphone No No
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Sony a390
Nikon D2Xs
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Sony a390
Nikon D2Xs
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No No
Remote Control Yes (Optional) Supported
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a390
Nikon D2Xs
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FH50 rechargeable battery & charger
EN-EL4a rechargeable lithium-ion battery
Battery Life (CIPA) 230 shots 3800 shots
Width 128 mm 158 mm
Height 97 mm 150 mm
Depth 86 mm 86 mm
Weight 549 gram 1200 gram