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Canon 550D vs Sony A290

Portability
70
Imaging
58
Features
63
Overall
60
Canon EOS 550D front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Canon 550D vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Canon 550D
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Bump to 12800)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 530g - 129 x 98 x 62mm
  • Launched April 2010
  • Alternate Name is EOS Rebel T2i / EOS Kiss X4
  • Previous Model is Canon 500D
  • Successor is Canon 600D
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
  • Announced June 2010
  • Superseded the Sony A230
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Canon 550D vs Sony A290 Overview

Below, we are analyzing the Canon 550D and Sony A290, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by companies Canon and Sony. There is a big difference between the resolutions of the 550D (18MP) and A290 (14MP) but they feature the exact same sensor size (APS-C).

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The 550D was announced 2 months before the A290 and they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before delving in to a detailed comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the 550D grades vs the A290 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon 550D over the Sony A290

 550D A290 
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1040k230kCrisper display (+810k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Canon 550D

 A290 550D 

Common features in the Canon 550D and Sony A290

 550D A290 
AnnouncedApril 2010June 2010Similar generation
Manually focus More precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Canon 550D vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to travel with your camera, you are going to need to take into account its weight and volume. The Canon 550D offers physical measurements of 129mm x 98mm x 62mm (5.1" x 3.9" x 2.4") and a weight of 530 grams (1.17 lbs) whilst the Sony A290 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") having a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Contrast the Canon 550D and Sony A290 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the 550D versus the A290.

Canon 550D vs Sony A290 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the 550D and A290 is 70 and 66 respectively.

Canon 550D vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Canon 550D vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions just by looking at specs. The picture underneath will help offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the 550D and A290.

All in all, the two cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different resolution. You should anticipate the Canon 550D to resolve greater detail with its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos much more aggressively.

Canon 550D vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Canon 550D vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 550D vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon 550D
Portrait photography with Sony A290
74
manual focus
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
65
you can focus manually
good megapixels (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
supports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Canon 550D Street photography factors
Sony A290 Street photography factors
60
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Canon 550D as a Sports photography camera
Sony A290 as a Sports photography camera
54
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
max frames per second low (4.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
low battery pack (470 per charge)
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
not so great battery pack (290 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Canon 550D Travel photography info
Sony A290 Travel photography info
55
decent megapixels (18MP)
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
low battery pack (470 shots)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
53
good megapixels (14MP)
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse function
not so great battery pack (290 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon 550D
Landscape photography with Sony A290
63
manual focus
change lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no image stabilization
low battery pack (470 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse mode
58
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
small screen (2.7")
doesn't have liveview
not so great battery pack (290 per charge)
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon 550D
Vlogging with Sony A290
31
has face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with external mic jack
does not contain selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
9
no video recording
Photography Glossary

Canon 550D vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 550D and Sony A290
 Canon EOS 550DSony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Brand Name Canon Sony
Model Canon EOS 550D Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Also Known as EOS Rebel T2i / EOS Kiss X4 -
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2010-04-01 2010-06-09
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor 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 18 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5184 x 3456 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Max enhanced ISO 12800 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount Canon EF/EF-S Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 326 143
Focal length multiplier 1.6 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 1,040k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT color liquid-crystal LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x 0.55x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 4.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change 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
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/200 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 480 (60, 50 fps) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format H.264 -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 530 grams (1.17 lb) 549 grams (1.21 lb)
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 Overall score 66 66
DXO Color Depth score 22.0 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score 11.6 11.5
DXO Low light score 807 615
Other
Battery life 470 shots 290 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LP-E8 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 sec or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $599 $600