Canon 600D vs Sony A290
66 Imaging
58 Features
72 Overall
63


66 Imaging
54 Features
47 Overall
51
Canon 600D vs Sony A290 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 18MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Raise to 12800)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Canon EF/EF-S Mount
- 570g - 133 x 100 x 80mm
- Launched March 2011
- Alternate Name is EOS Rebel T3i / EOS Kiss X5
- Previous Model is Canon 550D
- Successor is Canon 650D
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
- Revealed June 2010
- Old Model is Sony A230

Canon 600D vs Sony A290 Overview
In this article, we will be looking at the Canon 600D vs Sony A290, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by competitors Canon and Sony. There is a noticeable difference among the image resolutions of the 600D (18MP) and A290 (14MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor measurements (APS-C).

The 600D was manufactured 10 months after the A290 which means that they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).
Before getting through a complete comparison, below is a concise summary of how the 600D matches up versus the A290 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon 600D vs Sony A290 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Canon EOS 600D & Sony Alpha DSLR-A290. The entire galleries are available at Canon 600D Gallery & Sony A290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon 600D over the Sony A290
600D | A290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | March 2011 | ![]() | June 2010 | More modern by 10 months |
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+810k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Canon 600D
A290 | 600D |
---|
Common features in the Canon 600D and Sony A290
600D | A290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focusing | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Missing Touch screen |
Canon 600D vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison
If you are intending to carry around your camera often, you should consider its weight and size. The Canon 600D features exterior dimensions of 133mm x 100mm x 80mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.1") along with a weight of 570 grams (1.26 lbs) while the Sony A290 has specifications of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") and a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).
Look at the Canon 600D vs Sony A290 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you select at that time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the 600D against the A290.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the 600D and A290 is 66 and 66 respectively.

Canon 600D vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison
Generally, its tough to see the difference in sensor sizes merely by seeing technical specs. The picture here should offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the 600D and A290.
As you have seen, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Canon 600D to show greater detail due to its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures far more aggressively. The younger 600D is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon 600D vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon 600D vs Sony A290 Specifications
Canon EOS 600D | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Sony |
Model | Canon EOS 600D | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 |
Also referred to as | EOS Rebel T3i / EOS Kiss X5 | - |
Type | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Launched | 2011-03-31 | 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 dimensions | 22.3 x 14.9mm | 23.5 x 15.7mm |
Sensor area | 332.3mm² | 369.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 5184 x 3456 | 4592 x 3056 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Maximum enhanced ISO | 12800 | - |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
Cross focus points | 1 | - |
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 | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Resolution of display | 1,040k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display technology | TFT color LCD, liquid-crystal monitor | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95 percent | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.53x | 0.55x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 4.0 frames/s | 3.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 13.00 m | 10.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 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 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 480 (60, 50 fps) | - |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | - |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 | 570 grams (1.26 lbs) | 549 grams (1.21 lbs) |
Dimensions | 133 x 100 x 80mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.1") | 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 65 | 66 |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.1 | 22.6 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.5 | 11.5 |
DXO Low light score | 793 | 615 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 440 pictures | 290 pictures |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | 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 | 1 | 1 |
Retail price | $799 | $600 |