Sony a390 vs Nikon D500

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a390 and Nikon D500. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a390 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D500 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a390 were released 2010 and Nikon D500 was released 2016. That is a 6 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a390 2010
Nikon D500 2016

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 D500 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 D500 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 D500 has 21 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 D500 21 MP
20668416 pixels
5568 x 3712

Nikon D500 has a 47 % larger resolution than Sony a390. 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

Nikon D500 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a390. Nikon D500 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Sony a390 has 100 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a390 100-3200
Nikon D500 100-51200

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 D500

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 D500 can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a390 2,5
Nikon D500 10

Ability to record movies

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

It is only one of these two cameras that support recording movies and movie clips and that is Nikon D500. Sadly, the Sony a390 does not support this.

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 D500 weighs 860 gr (equal to 1.9 lb) which is 57% heavier than Sony a390 and its 549 gr (or 1.21 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a390 549 gr
1.21 lb
Nikon D500 860 gr
1.9 lb

Sony a390 vs Nikon D500 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a390 and Nikon D500, 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 D500
Name Sony a390 Nikon D500
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a390
Nikon D500
Release Year 2010 2016
Release Date 2010-06-09 2016-01-05
MSRP 599 USD 1999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a390
Nikon D500
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Sony a390
Nikon D500
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 5568 x 3712 pixels
Megapixels 14 MP 21 MP
Image Processor Bionz EXPEED 5
Image
Sony a390
Nikon D500
ISO Range 100 - 3200 100 - 51200
White Balance Presets 6 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW + TIFF
Optics & Focus
Sony a390
Nikon D500
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 9 153
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 D500
Articulated LCD Tilting Tilting
Screen size 2.7” 3.2”
Screen dots 230400 2359000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type N/A TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.74× (0.49× 35mm equiv.) 1× (0.67× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 0
Photography features
Sony a390
Nikon D500
Frames per second 2,5 fps 10 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
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a390
Nikon D500
Video recording No Yes
Video format N/A MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution N/A 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone No Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Sony a390
Nikon D500
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
XQD
Connectivity
Sony a390
Nikon D500
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless No Yes
Built-in (Wi-Fi with low energy Bluetooth)
Remote Control Yes (Optional) Yes (Optional, wired or wireless)
GPS No Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Sony a390
Nikon D500
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FH50 rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 230 shots 1240 shots
Width 128 mm 147 mm
Height 97 mm 115 mm
Depth 86 mm 81 mm
Weight 549 gram 860 gram