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Canon 500D vs Sony A290

Portability
70
Imaging
54
Features
59
Overall
56
Canon EOS 500D front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Canon 500D vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Canon 500D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Bump to 12800)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 520g - 129 x 98 x 62mm
  • Announced June 2009
  • Additionally referred to as EOS Rebel T1i / EOS Kiss X3
  • Replaced the Canon 450D
  • New Model is Canon 550D
Sony A290
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Revealed June 2010
  • Replaced the Sony A230
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Canon 500D vs Sony A290 Overview

Its time to look a little more in depth at the Canon 500D and Sony A290, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by companies Canon and Sony. The image resolution of the 500D (15MP) and the A290 (14MP) is fairly comparable and they use the exact same sensor size (APS-C).

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The 500D was introduced 12 months before the A290 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before we go in to a in depth comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the 500D scores versus the A290 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon 500D over the Sony A290

 500D A290 
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kClearer display (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Canon 500D

 A290 500D 
RevealedJune 2010June 2009More modern by 12 months

Common features in the Canon 500D and Sony A290

 500D A290 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Canon 500D vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry around your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon 500D offers physical measurements of 129mm x 98mm x 62mm (5.1" x 3.9" x 2.4") with a weight of 520 grams (1.15 lbs) whilst the Sony A290 has dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon 500D and Sony A290 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the 500D compared to the A290.

Canon 500D vs Sony A290 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the 500D and A290 is 70 and 66 respectively.

Canon 500D vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Canon 500D vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very hard to imagine the gap in sensor sizes purely by seeing specifications. The image here might give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the 500D and A290.

To sum up, the 2 cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different megapixels. You should anticipate the Canon 500D to produce greater detail using its extra 1 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The more aged 500D will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon 500D vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Canon 500D vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 500D vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 500D Portrait photography factors
Sony A290 Portrait photography factors
72
has manual focus
megapixel count good (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
65
focusing manually
MP count good (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
exports RAW files
does not have liveview
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Street Comparison

Canon 500D Street photography factors
Sony A290 Street photography factors
59
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
fixed screen
no image stabilization
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Canon 500D as a Sports photography camera
Sony A290 as a Sports photography camera
52
megapixel count good (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
low battery life (440 shots)
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
does not have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
terrible battery power (290 shots)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Canon 500D Travel photography info
Sony A290 Travel photography info
54
megapixel count good (15MP)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
low battery life (440 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
53
MP count good (14MP)
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse function
terrible battery power (290 CIPA)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 500D Landscape photography information
Sony A290 Landscape photography information
61
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
megapixel count good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no image stabilization
low battery life (440 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse recording
58
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
does not have liveview
terrible battery power (290 per charge)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 500D Vlogging details
Sony A290 Vlogging details
27
supports face detection focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
missing external mic support
9
can't record video
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Canon 500D vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 500D and Sony A290
 Canon EOS 500DSony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Company Canon Sony
Model Canon EOS 500D Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Also referred to as EOS Rebel T1i / EOS Kiss X3 -
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2009-06-08 2010-06-09
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 22.3 x 14.9mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 332.3mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4752 x 3168 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Maximum boosted ISO 12800 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount Canon EF/EF-S Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 326 143
Crop factor 1.6 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 920k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech TFT color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x 0.55x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 13.00 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/200 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (20 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format H.264 -
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 520g (1.15 pounds) 549g (1.21 pounds)
Dimensions 129 x 98 x 62mm (5.1" x 3.9" x 2.4") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 63 66
DXO Color Depth score 21.7 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score 11.5 11.5
DXO Low light score 663 615
Other
Battery life 440 pictures 290 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LP-E5 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 sec or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $650 $600