Sony a390 vs Nikon D5000

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a390 and Nikon D5000. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a390 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D5000 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a390 were released 2010 and Nikon D5000 was released 2009. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a390 2010
Nikon D5000 2009

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 D5000 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 D5000 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 D5000 has 12,3 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 D5000 12,3 MP
12212224 pixels
4288 x 2848

Sony a390 has a 15 % larger resolution than Nikon D5000. 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 D5000 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a390. Nikon D5000 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 6400 while Sony a390 has 100 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a390 100-3200
Nikon D5000 200-6400

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Sony a390 has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D5000 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D5000 there is a need for having an autofocus motor inside the lens. We really encourage you to look closely at our lens compatibility charts at the links below.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a390
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D5000

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 D5000 can shoot up to 4 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a390 2,5
Nikon D5000 4

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 D5000. 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 D5000 weighs 590 gr (equal to 1.3 lb) which is 7% heavier than Sony a390 and its 549 gr (or 1.21 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a390 549 gr
1.21 lb
Nikon D5000 590 gr
1.3 lb

Sony a390 vs Nikon D5000 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a390 and Nikon D5000, 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 D5000
Name Sony a390 Nikon D5000
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a390
Nikon D5000
Release Year 2010 2009
Release Date 2010-06-09 2009-04-14
MSRP 599 USD 849 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a390
Nikon D5000
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Sony a390
Nikon D5000
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 12,3 MP
Image Processor Bionz EXPEED
Image
Sony a390
Nikon D5000
ISO Range 100 - 3200 200 - 6400
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
Optics & Focus
Sony a390
Nikon D5000
Autofocus Motor Yes No
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
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 D5000
Articulated LCD Tilting Fully articulated
Screen size 2.7” 2,7”
Screen dots 230400 230000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A N/A
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.74× (0.49× 35mm equiv.) 0.78× (0.52× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a390
Nikon D5000
Frames per second 2,5 fps 4 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 10 meters 17 meters
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 D5000
Video recording No Yes
Video format N/A MPEG4
Video resolution N/A 1280 x 720
Built-in Microphone No Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Sony a390
Nikon D5000
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a390
Nikon D5000
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (Optional) Yes (Optional (ML-L3))
GPS No Yes
Optional
Body & Dimensions
Sony a390
Nikon D5000
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FH50 rechargeable battery & charger
Nikon EN-EL9a Lithium-Ion battery
Battery Life (CIPA) 230 shots 510 shots
Width 128 mm 127 mm
Height 97 mm 104 mm
Depth 86 mm 80 mm
Weight 549 gram 590 gram