Sony a390 vs Nikon Z f

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

Manufacturing

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

Sony a390 were released 2010 and Nikon Z f was released 2023. That is a 13 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a390 2010
Nikon Z f 2023

Type of camera

Sony a390 is a DSLR camera while Nikon Z f is a Mirrorless camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a390 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon Z f 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 Z f 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 Z f has 25 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 Z f 25 MP
24385536 pixels
6048 x 4032

Nikon Z f has a 74 % 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 Z f has a larger ISO-range than Sony a390. Nikon Z f has an ISO range that stretches from 50 to 204800 while Sony a390 has 100 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a390 100-3200
Nikon Z f 50-204800

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 Z f

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 Z f can shoot up to 14 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a390 2,5
Nikon Z f 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 Z f. 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 Z f weighs 710 gr (equal to 1.57 lb) which is 29% heavier than Sony a390 and its 549 gr (or 1.21 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a390 549 gr
1.21 lb
Nikon Z f 710 gr
1.57 lb

Sony a390 vs Nikon Z f Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a390 and Nikon Z f, 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 Z f
Name Sony a390 Nikon Z f
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a390
Nikon Z f
Release Year 2010 2023
Release Date 2010-06-09 2023-09-20
MSRP 599 USD 1999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a390
Nikon Z f
Camera Type DSLR Mirrorless
Sensor
Sony a390
Nikon Z f
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 BSI-CMOS
Resolution 4592 x 3056 pixels 6048 x 4032 pixels
Megapixels 14 MP 25 MP
Image Processor Bionz
Image
Sony a390
Nikon Z f
ISO Range 100 - 3200 50 - 204800
White Balance Presets 6 8
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 8 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a390
Nikon Z f
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 9 273
Lens Mount Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon Z

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 Z f
Articulated LCD Tilting Fully articulated
Screen size 2.7” 3.2”
Screen dots 230400 2100000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type N/A N/A
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.74× (0.49× 35mm equiv.) 0.8×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 3690000
Photography features
Sony a390
Nikon Z f
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
Partial
Average
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a390
Nikon Z f
Video recording No Yes
Video format N/A H.264
H.265
Video resolution N/A 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone No Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Sony a390
Nikon Z f
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a390
Nikon Z f
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless No Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n/a/ac)
Remote Control Yes (Optional) No
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a390
Nikon Z f
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FH50 rechargeable battery & charger
EN-EL15c
Battery Life (CIPA) 230 shots 380 shots
Width 128 mm 144 mm
Height 97 mm 103 mm
Depth 86 mm 49 mm
Weight 549 gram 710 gram