Sony a390 vs Nikon D7100

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a390 and Nikon D7100. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a390 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D7100 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a390 were released 2010 and Nikon D7100 was released 2013. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a390 2010
Nikon D7100 2013

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a390 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D7100 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a390 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon D7100 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Sony a390 has a 14 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D7100 has 24,1 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a390 14 MP
14033152 pixels
4592 x 3056
Nikon D7100 24,1 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000

Nikon D7100 has a 71 % larger resolution than Sony a390. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Nikon D7100 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a390. Nikon D7100 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 6400 while Sony a390 has 100 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a390 100-3200
Nikon D7100 100-6400

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a390
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D7100

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a390 can shoot up to 2,5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D7100 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a390 2,5
Nikon D7100 6

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

It is only one of these two cameras that support recording movies and movie clips and that is Nikon D7100. Sadly, the Sony a390 does not support this.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Nikon D7100 weighs 675 gr (equal to 1.49 lb) which is 23% heavier than Sony a390 and its 549 gr (or 1.21 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a390 549 gr
1.21 lb
Nikon D7100 675 gr
1.49 lb

Sony a390 vs Nikon D7100 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a390 and Nikon D7100, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Sony a390
Nikon D7100
Name Sony a390 Nikon D7100
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a390
Nikon D7100
Release Year 2010 2013
Release Date 2010-06-09 2013-02-21
MSRP 599 USD 1199 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a390
Nikon D7100
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Sony a390
Nikon D7100
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CCD CMOS
Resolution 4592 x 3056 pixels 6000 x 4000 pixels
Megapixels 14 MP 24,1 MP
Image Processor Bionz EXPEED 3
Image
Sony a390
Nikon D7100
ISO Range 100 - 3200 100 - 6400
White Balance Presets 6 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a390
Nikon D7100
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 9 51
Lens Mount Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
DX / APS-C (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony a390
Nikon D7100
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 2.7” 3,2”
Screen dots 230400 1228800
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A Wide Viewing Angle TFT-LCD monitor
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.74× (0.49× 35mm equiv.) 0.94×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a390
Nikon D7100
Frames per second 2,5 fps 6 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 10 meters 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Average
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a390
Nikon D7100
Video recording No Yes
Video format N/A MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution N/A 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone No Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Sony a390
Nikon D7100
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a390
Nikon D7100
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless No Yes
Wireless WR-1 and WR-R10
Remote Control Yes (Optional) Yes (Optional, wired MC-DC2 or wireless WR-1 and WR-R10 )
GPS No Yes
Optional
Body & Dimensions
Sony a390
Nikon D7100
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FH50 rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 230 shots 950 shots
Width 128 mm 136 mm
Height 97 mm 107 mm
Depth 86 mm 76 mm
Weight 549 gram 675 gram