Pentax K-x vs Sony DSLR-A390

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Pentax K-x vs Sony DSLR-A390

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APS-C 369.7mm²
12.4 megapixels
ISO 200 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-x Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-x.

APS-C 369.7mm²
14.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

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

Succeeded by the Pentax K-r
Compare K-x vs K-r
Compare Pentax K-r vs Sony DSLR-A390

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Differences

Pentax K-x 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.
K-x test data on DxO Mark DSLR-A390 test data on DxO Mark

811 vs 607 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More cross-type AF points
9 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More viewfinder magnification
0.57x vs 0.49x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Faster shutter
1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
12800 vs 3200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony DSLR-A390 advantages over Pentax K-x

Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
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 Pentax K-x

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony DSLR-A390

Review Excerpt

Read our Pentax K-x 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 Nikon D5000

Pentax K-x

Nikon D5000

$702
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$850
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-x 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-A380

Pentax K-x

Sony DSLR-A380

$702
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$849
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
HDMI out

Compare Pentax K-x vs Sony DSLR-A380

Sony DSLR-A390

Sony DSLR-A380

$507
APS-C

Less expensive
Lighter weight

$849
APS-C

Compare Sony DSLR-A390 vs Sony DSLR-A380

Compared to Pentax K-7

Pentax K-x

Pentax K-7

$702
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

$1300
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
Top deck display

Compare Pentax K-x vs Pentax K-7

Sony DSLR-A390

Pentax K-7

$507
APS-C

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

$1300
APS-C

Lens selection
Longer stills battery life

Compare Sony DSLR-A390 vs Pentax K-7

Compared to Sony DSLR-A290

Pentax K-x

Sony DSLR-A290

$702
APS-C

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

$500
APS-C

Less expensive
HDMI out

Compare Pentax K-x 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 Pentax K-r

Pentax K-x

Pentax K-r

$702
APS-C

Less expensive
Shoots 24p video

$850
APS-C

Fast startup
External Mic Jack

Compare Pentax K-x vs Pentax K-r

Sony DSLR-A390

Pentax K-r

$507
APS-C

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

$850
APS-C

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

Compare Sony DSLR-A390 vs Pentax K-r

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