Nikon D5000 vs Sony DSLR-A390

Cameras
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Nikon D5000 vs Sony DSLR-A390

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APS-C 372.9mm²
12.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Nikon D5000 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D5000.

APS-C 369.7mm²
14.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Sony DSLR-A390 Review.

Succeeded by the Nikon D5100
Compare D5000 vs D5100
Compare Nikon D5100 vs Sony DSLR-A390

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Differences

Nikon D5000 advantages over Sony DSLR-A390

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
D5000 test data on DxO Mark DSLR-A390 test data on DxO Mark

868 vs 607 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Higher extended ISO
6400 vs 3200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony DSLR-A390 advantages over Nikon D5000

Less expensive
$600 vs $850 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
More pixels
14.2 vs 12.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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 Nikon D5000

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony DSLR-A390

Review Excerpt

Read our Nikon D5000 Full Review

We haven’t finished our review of the Sony DSLR-A390, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
See our Sony DSLR-A390 First Shots

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSLR-A200

Nikon D5000

Sony DSLR-A200

$850
APS-C

Lens selection
Tiltable Screen

$470
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5000 vs Sony DSLR-A200

Sony DSLR-A390

Sony DSLR-A200

$507
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
Higher effective ISO

$470
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Longer stills battery life

Compare Sony DSLR-A390 vs Sony DSLR-A200

Compared to Sony DSLR-A350

Nikon D5000

Sony DSLR-A350

$850
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$900
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon D5000 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 Sony DSLR-A300

Nikon D5000

Sony DSLR-A300

$850
APS-C

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

$563
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon D5000 vs Sony DSLR-A300

Sony DSLR-A390

Sony DSLR-A300

$507
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

$563
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Longer stills battery life

Compare Sony DSLR-A390 vs Sony DSLR-A300

Compared to Sony DSLR-A290

Nikon D5000

Sony DSLR-A290

$850
APS-C

Lens selection
Tiltable Screen

$500
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5000 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

Compared to Sony DSLR-A580

Nikon D5000

Sony DSLR-A580

$850
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$900
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon D5000 vs Sony DSLR-A580

Sony DSLR-A390

Sony DSLR-A580

$507
APS-C

Less expensive

$900
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Higher effective ISO

Compare Sony DSLR-A390 vs Sony DSLR-A580

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