Sony DSLR-A390 vs Leica M-E (Typ 220)

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Sony DSLR-A390 vs Leica M-E (Typ 220)

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APS-C 369.7mm²
14.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

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

35mm 864.0mm²
18.0 megapixels
ISO 160 - 2500

Go in depth with our full Leica M-E (Typ 220) Review.

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A390 advantages over Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Lens selection
Good vs Limited
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$600 vs $5450 (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
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Leica M-E (Typ 220) advantages over Sony DSLR-A390

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.91 vs 5.16 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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.
M-E (Typ 220) test data on DxO Mark DSLR-A390 test data on DxO Mark

787 vs 607 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Thinner
37 mm vs 83 mm
Thinner
More viewfinder magnification
0.68x vs 0.49x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
18.0 vs 14.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

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
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 Sony DSLR-A390

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Buy the Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Body Only (Grey)

Review Excerpt

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

We haven’t reviewed the Leica M-E (Typ 220).
Read our Leica M-E (Typ 220) Preview

The Competition

Compared to 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

Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Nikon D5000

$7999
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$850
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Leica M-E (Typ 220) vs Nikon D5000

Compared to 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

Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Sony DSLR-A290

$7999
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$500
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Leica M-E (Typ 220) vs Sony DSLR-A290

Compared to 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

Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Sony DSLR-A580

$7999
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$900
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Leica M-E (Typ 220) vs Sony DSLR-A580

Compared to Leica M Monochrom

Sony DSLR-A390

Leica M Monochrom

$507
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$7950
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony DSLR-A390 vs Leica M Monochrom

Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Leica M Monochrom

$7999
35mm

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$7950
35mm

Higher extended ISO

Compare Leica M-E (Typ 220) vs Leica M Monochrom

Compared to Leica M (Typ 240)

Sony DSLR-A390

Leica M (Typ 240)

$507
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$6995
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Sony DSLR-A390 vs Leica M (Typ 240)

Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Leica M (Typ 240)

$7999
35mm

$6995
35mm

Higher effective ISO
More dynamic range

Compare Leica M-E (Typ 220) vs Leica M (Typ 240)

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