Sony Alpha a390

344 reviews

Apr, 2024

Positive
usability (176)
price (69)
portability (61)
image quality (60)
screen (54)

Negative
battery (14)
focus (7)
shutter (5)
video (5)
color (3)

General overview
Price comparison

alaTest has collected and analyzed 344 reviews of Sony Alpha a390. The average rating for this product is 4.4/5, compared to an average rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras for all reviews. Views about the screen and image quality are on the whole positive. The portability and price also get good feedback. Reviews about the energy efficiency and zoom are different, and some have doubts about the exposure and shutter.

usability, price, portability, image quality, screen

battery, focus, video, shutter, exposure

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Digital Compact Cameras the Sony Alpha a390 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 88/100 = Very good quality.

See all Sony Digital Cameras

Review analysis

(Based on 344 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Review Ratings

(43% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews (46% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews (8% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews (1% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews (2% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

usability
Show positive (83%)Show negative (17%)(Show all)

price
Show positive (75%)Show negative (25%)(Show all)

portability
Show positive (79%)Show negative (21%)(Show all)

image quality
Show positive (87%)Show negative (13%)(Show all)

screen
Show positive (92%)Show negative (8%)(Show all)

Show more features

Showing 261 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

Disclaimer:

Below is a list of reviews for this or similar products. If you think this grouping is wrong please click here to flag.
Read more on our FAQ’s page.

Showing 1 - 96 of 261 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (83)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Sony Alpha a390

alaTest has collected and analyzed 12 user reviews of Sony Alpha a390 from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 4.8/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.co.uk. People are impressed by the size and lens. The design and usability are also appreciated.

portability, usability, design, lens, size

100% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Sony Alpha a390

alaTest has collected and analyzed 74 user reviews of Sony Alpha a390 from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.5/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.2/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.com. Reviewers are impressed by the performance and design. The portability and price also get good feedback. Opinions are divided on the low light performance, while the focus and video get negative views.

usability, price, portability, design, performance

video, focus

97% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Expert review by : Rod Lawton (techradar.com)

Sony Alpha A390 review

Sony's A390 SLR has a 14.2Mp sensor, Live View and tilting LCD

Versatile ; Cheap

Unrefined ; Not very nice to handle ; Tough competition

Aug, 2010

Partner Source

Read the full review

Expert review by : William Perceval (pocket-lint.com)

Sony Alpha 390

The Sony Alpha 390 is a subtle upgrade over the previous A380 incarnation. With essentially the same specs as its predecessor, albeit with a full and proper grip to replace the difficult-to-hold sunken mishap of the A380. So is the A390 a DSLR released...

Affordable, Quick AF Live View is class-leading, the grip makes a return to form

It's no more than an a380 in a new body, AF not always quick and accurate, no AF-assist lamp

The A390 is essentially an A380 rewrapped in a new body. Grateful though we should be for this - as the new, more substantial grip is essential for extended use of a DSLR camera - it fails to offer much "new". Of course, for those first time buyers...

Jul, 2010

Partner Source

Read the full review

Expert review by : PC Advisor (techadvisor.co.uk)

Sony DSLR-A390 review

The Sony DSLR-A390 is an entry-level digital SLR camera that can take great pictures, but it's not high on usability.

May, 2010

Read the full review

Expert review by (channel5.com)

Sony Alpha α390

The Sony Alpha α390 is a 14.2 megapixel digital SLR camera with auto-focus, image stabilisation, an ISO of 3200 to cope with low and bright light conditions. On-screen guides explaining how to use its features make the a930 an ideal entry-level digital...

May, 2011

Read the full review

Expert review by (channel5.com)

Sony A390

Although Canon and Nikon get all the praise when it comes to the DSLR market, if you're just starting out and don't have any lenses, Sony's Alpha DSLR range is also well worth a look, with the Sony A390 a good choice. The good Available from just £350,...

The Sony A390 is worth a look if price means everything to you, but there are definitely better DSLRs on the market, and in this case it's probably worth spending a little more on something like the Canon EOS 1100D. Sure, in some ways the Sony has more...

May, 2011

Read the full review

Expert review by : Debbi Allen (digicambuyer.co.uk)

Sony Alpha 390

Sony Alpha 390 Review

Just misses the top marks due to what it lacks, rather than what it offers. A few more features would make this an excellent contender

Oct, 2010

Read the full review

Expert review by (ephotozine.com)

Sony Alpha A390 DSLR Review

A light, compact digital SLR sporting a 14.2 meagpixel sensor, in-body image stabilisation and quick AF live view with an articulated screen.

In body image stabilisation; Quick AF during Live View; Articulating screen; Compact, lightweight design; Support for SDHC and Sony's own Memory Stick Duo cards

Limited exposure compensation range

Aug, 2010

Read the full review

Expert review by : Mike Lowe (whatdigitalcamera.com)

Sony Alpha A390 review

Does Sony's latest DSLR offer anything new over the previous A380 model? The What Digital Camera Sony A390 review investigates...

Live View, help guide, improved grip over previous design

No AF-assist lamp, small screen, no new technology over the previous a380 model

Aug, 2010

Read the full review

Expert review by : Elias Plastiras (goodgearguide.com.au)

Sony DSLR-A390 (DSLRA390Y) digital SLR camera

Sony's DSLR-A390 captures clear and vibrant images, but doesn't feel good to use

Good clarity, vibrant images, menu system provides helpful hints, uses SD in addition to Memory Stick Pro Duo, ships with good quality 55-200mm lens, good Live View implementation

Feels uncomfortable, needs more and better placed buttons, no video mode

Sony's DLSR-A390 is capable of capturing vibrant and clear images, but its body could use some work. For starters, we'd like a dedicated button for the flash and for zooming in on photos in playback mode, and it's awkward to change the aperture in...

Aug, 2010

Partner Source

Read the full review

Expert review by : Barnaby Britton (dpreview.com)

Sony Alpha 390 Review

This is the latest in our series of new 'Quick Reviews.' We will be using this format for cameras that are operationally similar and identical in terms of output to models we've already reviewed. We test to confirm the image quality is identical, then...

Good RAW resolution ; Reliable metering (most of the time - see 'cons') ; Fastest AF in live view among 'traditional' DSLRs (but see disadvantages below) ; Coherent ergonomics for live view operation ; Much improved handgrip over A380 (but still less...

Soft JPEGs at all ISO settings ; High ISO performance not on the same level as direct competitors ; Smallest viewfinder of any APS-C DSLR ; Protruding screen obstructs use of viewfinder, especially if you're wearing glasses ; Limited external controls...

The Sony Alpha 390 isn't a bad camera as such, but there are so many better options on the market that it is hard to recommend. Ultimately, so little has changed compared to its predecessor that its specifications and performance do now look very out...

Jul, 2010

Read the full review