Sony DSLR-A390 vs Pentax KP

Cameras
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Sony DSLR-A390 vs Pentax KP

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APS-C 369.7mm²
14.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

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

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 819,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax KP Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax KP in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the KP.

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A390 advantages over Pentax KP

Bigger pixels
~ 5.16 vs 3.91 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 390 shots
Capture more photos
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Pentax KP 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
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More cross-type AF points
25 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Pentaprism viewfinder
Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
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
922k 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
0.63x vs 0.49x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
24.3 vs 14.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
More AF points
27 vs 9
More AF points improve autofocus
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs Fixed
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Faster shutter
1/24000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
819200 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
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 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
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 KP User Reviews

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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 finished our review of the Pentax KP, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Pentax KP Shooter's Report

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

Pentax KP

Nikon D5000

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$850
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

Compare Pentax KP 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

Pentax KP

Sony DSLR-A290

$999
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$500
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

Compare Pentax KP 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

Pentax KP

Sony DSLR-A580

$999
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$900
APS-C

Bigger pixels
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax KP vs Sony DSLR-A580

Compared to Nikon D5600

Sony DSLR-A390

Nikon D5600

$507
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Bigger pixels

$1032
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony DSLR-A390 vs Nikon D5600

Pentax KP

Nikon D5600

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1032
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax KP vs Nikon D5600

Compared to Canon T7i

Sony DSLR-A390

Canon T7i

$507
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$700
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

Compare Sony DSLR-A390 vs Canon T7i

Pentax KP

Canon T7i

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$700
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax KP vs Canon T7i

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