Sony a390 vs Nikon D6
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a390 and Nikon D6. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony a390 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D6 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.
Sony a390 were released 2010 and Nikon D6 was released 2020. That is a 10 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony a390 | 2010 |
Nikon D6 | 2020 |
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 D6 has a "Nikon FX"-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 D6 | 50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier |
** 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 D6 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 D6 |
21 MP
20668416 pixels 5568 x 3712 |
Nikon D6 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 D6 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a390. Nikon D6 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 102400 while Sony a390 has 100 to 3200.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a390 | 100-3200 |
Nikon D6 | 100-102400 |
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 D6
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 D6 can shoot up to 14 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a390 | 2,5 |
Nikon D6 | 14 |
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 D6. 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 D6 weighs 1270 gr (equal to 2.8 lb) which is 131% heavier than Sony a390 and its 549 gr (or 1.21 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a390 | 549 gr 1.21 lb |
Nikon D6 | 1270 gr 2.8 lb |
Sony a390 vs Nikon D6 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a390 and Nikon D6, 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 D6 |
Name | Sony a390 | Nikon D6 |
Manufacturer | Sony | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a390 |
Nikon D6 |
Release Year | 2010 | 2020 |
Release Date | 2010-06-09 | 2019-09-04 |
MSRP | 599 USD | 6499 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony a390 |
Nikon D6 |
Camera Type | DSLR | DSLR |
Sensor |
Sony a390 |
Nikon D6 |
Sensor Size | APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) |
Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm) Also known as "FX" |
Sensor Type | CCD | CMOS |
Resolution | 4592 x 3056 pixels | 5568 x 3712 pixels |
Megapixels | 14 MP | 21 MP |
Image Processor | Bionz | EXPEED 6 |
Image |
Sony a390 |
Nikon D6 |
ISO Range | 100 - 3200 | 100 - 102400 |
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 D6 |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | Yes |
Autofocus |
Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Touch Face Detection LiveView |
Focus Points | 9 | 105 |
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 |
FX (Full frame) No multiplier Example: 24 mm remains 24 mm 50 mm remains 50 mm 100 mm remains 100 mm 200 mm remains 200 mm |
Screen & Viewfinder |
Sony a390 |
Nikon D6 |
Articulated LCD | Tilting | Fixed |
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.) | 0.72x |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | 0 |
Photography features |
Sony a390 |
Nikon D6 |
Frames per second | 2,5 fps | 14 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 900 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, 1 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony a390 |
Nikon D6 |
Video recording | No | Yes |
Video format | N/A |
MPEG4 H.264 |
Video resolution | N/A |
1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160 |
Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
Built-in Speakers | No | Yes |
Storage |
Sony a390 |
Nikon D6 |
Memory Card |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
Compact Flash Express XQD |
Connectivity |
Sony a390 |
Nikon D6 |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | No | Yes |
Headphone Port | No | Yes |
Wireless | No |
Yes Built-in (802.11ac + Bluetooth) |
Remote Control | Yes (Optional) | Yes (Wired or smartphone) |
GPS | No |
Yes Built-in |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a390 |
Nikon D6 |
Enviromentally sealed | No | Yes |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
Lithium-Ion NP-FH50 rechargeable battery & charger
|
EN-EL18c lithium-ion battery & charager
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 230 shots | 3580 shots |
Width | 128 mm | 160 mm |
Height | 97 mm | 163 mm |
Depth | 86 mm | 92 mm |
Weight | 549 gram | 1270 gram |