• APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 15.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200

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Differences

Canon T1i advantages over Sony DSLR-A390

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Thinner
    61 mm vs 83 mm
    Thinner
  • More dots on screen
    920k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.54x vs 0.49x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony DSLR-A390 advantages over Canon T1i

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $900 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 500 vs 400 shots
    Capture more photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Neither provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Buy the Canon T1i

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Buy the Sony DSLR-A390

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Canon XSi

Canon T1i
Canon XSi
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • HDMI out
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon T1i vs Canon XSi

Sony DSLR-A390
Canon XSi
  • $507
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Sony DSLR-A390 vs Canon XSi

Compared to Sony DSLR-A350

Canon T1i
Sony DSLR-A350
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T1i vs Sony DSLR-A350

Sony DSLR-A390
Sony DSLR-A350
  • $507
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • HDMI out
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sony DSLR-A390 vs Sony DSLR-A350

Compared to Pentax K2000

Canon T1i
Pentax K2000
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen
  • $556
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

Compare Canon T1i vs Pentax K2000

Sony DSLR-A390
Pentax K2000
  • $507
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $556
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony DSLR-A390 vs Pentax K2000

Compared to Nikon D5000

Canon T1i
Nikon D5000
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • More dots on screen
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon T1i vs Nikon D5000

Sony DSLR-A390
Nikon D5000
  • $507
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Sony DSLR-A390 vs Nikon D5000

Compared to Sony DSLR-A290

Canon T1i
Sony DSLR-A290
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

Compare Canon T1i vs Sony DSLR-A290

Sony DSLR-A390
Sony DSLR-A290
  • $507
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More viewfinder magnification

Compare Sony DSLR-A390 vs Sony DSLR-A290

Compare Other Cameras?