Sony A390
I was never into Sony's DSLRs when they were new, but I am buying up old ones now for their superior colour reproduction. Yes, better than the newest high-end digital cameras. Initially, I chose the A390 because I was under the impression that CCD sensors were the cause of the prettier colours, and the A390 had one of the last. The more I read about the topic, the more this phenomenon appears to be related to the camera's internal processing, or the sensor's "colour filter array" (CFA). It's just a coincidence that a pivotal shift in colour science was done at a very similar time to CCD sensors being phased out in favour of CMOS.
Sony A390 + Zeiss 85mm f/1.4
Key Specifiations
Sensor:
Resolution:
Burst:
DR Stops:
E-Shutter:
SS:
AF points:
IS:
Video:
Live View:
ISO:
OVF:
LCD:
Memory:
Weight:
Battery:
APS-C CCD
14mp
2.5fps / 21 shots
11.5
1/160th
30s - 1/4,000th
9 (10%)
Yes (3 stops)
No
No
100 - 1,600
0.74x / 95%
2.7" / 230k / Tilt
SD
540g
~550 (EN-EL3e)
The issue with photographing squirrels like this on most DSLRs is that looking through the optical viewfinder to frame them and focus while squirrels are low to the ground is pretty horrible. Sony DSLRs had a solution to the live-view tilt-screens while featuring full speed autofocus (A350, A380 and A390) and also had three stops of 'in body image stabilization' with one of the most modern 14 megapixel CCD sensors ever made.
Red Squirrel | Zeiss Planar 85mm, f/1.4, iso 100
Ergonomics & Build
This was one of the entry level Sony DSLRs, so despite featuring some fascinating technology and features, it's surprisingly small and light. The grip may not be very big, but it is surprisingly deep. Not the most comfortable, but difficult to slip out of the hand. I really like the look of the camera, it had great materials and the design is decent. The buttons and dials are fine for a lower tier model, but not exactly exciting.
Trollhatten | Sony DT 18-55mm, f/5.6, iso 100
Viewfinder & Screen
The A390 has an optical viewfinder, which is perfectly normal and nothing to write home about, but the rear LCD screen is where things get rather interesting. It not only has live-view, but it tilts, making it feel a lot like a mirrorless camera. Normally this is where I would have to inform you of the downsides of contrast detect autofocus system when using this, but no... The A350, A380 and A390 Sony models all support full speed phase-detect AF in live-view. Apart from being an impressive technical feat, it also makes it superb at photographing things low to the ground. In my case, this is great for squirrels, but there are lots of use cases for it.
Botanical | Zeiss Planar 85mm, f/1.4, iso 100
Battery & Memory
The A390's battery is the same size as the old "W" series ones, found in early mirrorless cameras. In fact, it's so close in size and shape that it's easy to get them mixed up, but they are not the same as the contacts are in the middle as opposed to the side. They last a bit better here, although that's a miracle since CCD sensors are notorious power suckers, and this camera also has live view with AF and in body image stabilization.
Having a CCD sensor camera that takes SD cards feels rather surreal, but it's extremely convenient in 2025. I am using a micro SD with an adapter so I can use it directly in my laptop without a reader. Oh, how I wish that full size SD readers were still a thing in modern laptops! SD cards are also significantly cheaper than CF cards from older cameras these days, so that's a bonus too.
Trollhatten | Sony DT 18-55mm, f/5.6, iso 100
Speed
Although AF works in live-view, it still only has 9 points and is pretty slow anyway. It's great for squirrels, but not when they're in motion. Shooting speed is also pretty slow, although the buffer is decent. The flash sync is a bit meh, and the maximum shutter speed would only have been impressive half a century ago. These days, it's just standard, thus fast lenses in the sun are a little problematic.
Image Quality
The 14mp CCD sensor is absolutely superb, when paired with a decent lens of course. Any shortcomings it may have had in 2010, it certainly doesn't when putting them through DxO pureRAW today. The Zeiss planar 85mm may have a bit of LoCA, but it's sharp wide open with some pretty bokeh too. Being able to use DSLR lenses with 3 stops of image stabilization on a CCD sensor is just brilliant, too. For what you can pick up this camera for today, it's a bargain and a great tool to learn photography on too.
Bokeh Panos
Using the rear screen to shoot these with live-view on a DSLR was fantastic. Here is one with some gorgeous colours!
Bokeh Pano | Zeiss Planar 85mm, f/1.4, iso 100
Colours
Speaking of colours, I know the CCD sensor was probably not the cause of them, but they still shine here. My next challenge will be to try some of the later CMOS cameras, I cannot wait to put some of these lenses on the full frame Sony A900, but I sure will miss the light weight, stabilization, tilting screen and live-view from this camera.
Sony A1 (2021) vs Sony A390 (2010)
Conclusion
The Sony A390 can feel like a rather low camera, but it has a lot of great features for an old DSLR and can be picked up for very little money today. Its controls are rather lacklustre, with only one dial, so manual mode requires toggling aperture and shutter control with the exposure compensation. I enjoyed being able to use a DSLR in live-view mode without the typical autofocus penalties and having IBIS too. However, the focusing system is rather simple and slow. The lack of continuous and tracking made it only good for static subjects, hence the squirrels here are always eating :D.
Here are a few more sample images to illustrate the colours, which are not boosted...
