Sony a390 vs Nikon Z50
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a390 and Nikon Z50. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony a390 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon Z50 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.
Sony a390 were released 2010 and Nikon Z50 was released 2019. That is a 9 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony a390 | 2010 |
Nikon Z50 | 2019 |
Type of camera
Sony a390 is a DSLR camera while Nikon Z50 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 Z50 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 Z50 | 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 Z50 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 Z50 |
21 MP
20668416 pixels 5568 x 3712 |
Nikon Z50 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 Z50 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a390. Nikon Z50 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 Z50 | 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 Z50
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 Z50 can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a390 | 2,5 |
Nikon Z50 | 11 |
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 Z50. 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.
Sony a390 weighs 549 gr (equal to 1.21 lb) which is 22% heavier than Nikon Z50 and its 450 gr (or 0.99 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a390 | 549 gr 1.21 lb |
Nikon Z50 | 450 gr 0.99 lb |
Sony a390 vs Nikon Z50 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a390 and Nikon Z50, 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 Z50 |
Name | Sony a390 | Nikon Z50 |
Manufacturer | Sony | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a390 |
Nikon Z50 |
Release Year | 2010 | 2019 |
Release Date | 2010-06-09 | 2019-10-10 |
MSRP | 599 USD | 859 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony a390 |
Nikon Z50 |
Camera Type | DSLR | Mirrorless |
Sensor |
Sony a390 |
Nikon Z50 |
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 6 |
Image |
Sony a390 |
Nikon Z50 |
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 |
Optics & Focus |
Sony a390 |
Nikon Z50 |
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 | 209 |
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 |
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 Z50 |
Articulated LCD | Tilting | Tilting |
Screen size | 2.7” | 3.2” |
Screen dots | 230400 | 1040000 |
Touch screen | No | Yes |
Screen type | N/A | TFT LCD |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Optical (pentamirror) | Electronic |
Viewfinder Coverage | 95% | 100% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.74× (0.49× 35mm equiv.) | 1.02× (0.68× 35mm equiv.) |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | 2360000 |
Photography features |
Sony a390 |
Nikon Z50 |
Frames per second | 2,5 fps | 11 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 | 7 meters |
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 Z50 |
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 Z50 |
Memory Card |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Sony a390 |
Nikon Z50 |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | No | Yes |
Headphone Port | No | No |
Wireless | No |
Yes Built-in (802.11ac + Bluetooth) |
Remote Control | Yes (Optional) | Yes (via smartphone) |
GPS | No | No |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a390 |
Nikon Z50 |
Enviromentally sealed | No | Yes |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
Lithium-Ion NP-FH50 rechargeable battery & charger
|
EN-EL25 lithium-ion battery & charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 230 shots | 320 shots |
Width | 128 mm | 127 mm |
Height | 97 mm | 94 mm |
Depth | 86 mm | 60 mm |
Weight | 549 gram | 450 gram |