• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A390 advantages over Panasonic GF6

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.16 vs 3.77 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 500 vs 340 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Panasonic GF6 advantages over Sony DSLR-A390

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Thinner
    38 mm vs 83 mm
    Thinner
  • More dots on screen
    1037k 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
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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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Review Excerpt

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

Panasonic GF6
Nikon D5000
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic GF6 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

Panasonic GF6
Sony DSLR-A290
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GF6 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

Panasonic GF6
Sony DSLR-A580
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic GF6 vs Sony DSLR-A580

Compared to Olympus E-PL5

Sony DSLR-A390
Olympus E-PL5
  • $507
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $329
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen

Compare Sony DSLR-A390 vs Olympus E-PL5

Panasonic GF6
Olympus E-PL5
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $329
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Better color depth

Compare Panasonic GF6 vs Olympus E-PL5

Compared to Olympus E-PL7

Sony DSLR-A390
Olympus E-PL7
  • $507
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compare Sony DSLR-A390 vs Olympus E-PL7

Panasonic GF6
Olympus E-PL7
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • NFC
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GF6 vs Olympus E-PL7

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