Sony DSLR-A390 vs Panasonic GX85

Cameras
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Sony DSLR-A390 vs Panasonic GX85

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APS-C 369.7mm²
14.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

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

4/3 224.9mm²
16.0 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GX85 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GX85 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GX85.
Compare Panasonic GX85 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GX85 conclusion.

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A390 advantages over Panasonic GX85

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.16 vs 3.77 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

500 vs 290 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
83 mm vs 64 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Panasonic GX85 advantages over Sony DSLR-A390

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs No
Make sure you have a fast computer
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
43 mm vs 83 mm
Thinner
Newer
8 years vs 14 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More dots on screen
1040k 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
0.70x vs 0.49x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 27 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 3200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
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

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

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GX85 User Reviews

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Buy the Sony DSLR-A390

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Buy the Panasonic GX85

Kit with 12-32mm lens (Black)

Kit with 12-32mm lens (Black)
Kit with 12-32mm and 45-150mm lenses (Black)
Kit with 12-32mm lens (Silver)

All GX85 Deals

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

Excellent build-quality; Good ergonomics for its size; Built-in 5-axis Dual IS, Built-in EVF; Tilting LCD touchscreen monitor; Competitive still image quality; Excellent 4K video quality; Fast autofocus and burst modes; Generous buffers; Tons of advanced features; Built-in Wi-Fi.
EVF could be better; Sluggish RAW and RAW+JPEG buffer clearing; No external mic and headphone jacks; Slow x-sync speed; Mediocre battery life.
Read our Panasonic GX85 Review

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 GX85

Nikon D5000

$598
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$850
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX85 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 GX85

Sony DSLR-A290

$598
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$500
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX85 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 GX85

Sony DSLR-A580

$598
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$900
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX85 vs Sony DSLR-A580

Compared to Olympus E-PL8

Sony DSLR-A390

Olympus E-PL8

$507
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$599
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

Compare Sony DSLR-A390 vs Olympus E-PL8

Panasonic GX85

Olympus E-PL8

$598
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
Shoot 4K video

$599
4/3

Longer stills battery life
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic GX85 vs Olympus E-PL8

Compared to Olympus E-PL9

Sony DSLR-A390

Olympus E-PL9

$507
APS-C

Larger sensor
Less expensive

$700
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

Compare Sony DSLR-A390 vs Olympus E-PL9

Panasonic GX85

Olympus E-PL9

$598
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
Lacks anti-aliasing filter

$700
4/3

Built-in Bluetooth
Longer stills battery life

Compare Panasonic GX85 vs Olympus E-PL9

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