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Canon 650D vs Sony A290

Portability
65
Imaging
59
Features
76
Overall
65
Canon EOS 650D front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Canon 650D vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Canon 650D
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 575g - 133 x 100 x 79mm
  • Released August 2012
  • Alternative Name is EOS Rebel T4i / EOS Kiss X6i
  • Previous Model is Canon 600D
  • Newer Model is Canon 700D
Sony A290
(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
  • Introduced June 2010
  • Superseded the Sony A230
Photography Glossary

Canon 650D vs Sony A290 Overview

In this write-up, we will be evaluating the Canon 650D versus Sony A290, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by rivals Canon and Sony. There is a noticeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the 650D (18MP) and A290 (14MP) but they come with the same exact sensor size (APS-C).

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The 650D was brought out 2 years after the A290 which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before diving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick summation of how the 650D grades against the A290 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon 650D over the Sony A290

 650D A290 
IntroducedAugust 2012June 2010Newer by 27 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1040k230kSharper screen (+810k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Canon 650D

 A290 650D 

Common features in the Canon 650D and Sony A290

 650D A290 
Manual focus More precise focusing

Canon 650D vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to travel with your camera often, you will have to think about its weight and proportions. The Canon 650D offers exterior dimensions of 133mm x 100mm x 79mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.1") having a weight of 575 grams (1.27 lbs) whilst the Sony A290 has measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

See the Canon 650D versus Sony A290 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are using at the time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the 650D vs the A290.

Canon 650D vs Sony A290 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the 650D and A290 is 65 and 66 respectively.

Canon 650D vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Canon 650D vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to see the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by checking a spec sheet. The picture underneath may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the 650D and A290.

As you can see, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Canon 650D to give you greater detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more recent 650D will have an edge in sensor tech.

Canon 650D vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Canon 650D vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 650D vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 650D Portrait photography highlights
Sony A290 Portrait photography highlights
75
has manual focus
decent MP (18 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
saves RAW formats
65
you can focus manually
good megapixels (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detect focus
exports RAW files
no liveview
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon 650D
Street photography with Sony A290
69
screen can move to multiple angles
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
comes with touch to focus
does not have image stabilization
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Canon 650D Sports photography details
Sony A290 Sports photography details
58
decent MP (18MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
comes with phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
low battery (440 CIPA)
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
no liveview
max frames per second very slow (3.0 fps)
low battery power (290 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon 650D
Travel photography with Sony A290
64
comes with touch to focus
decent MP (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
does not have Timelapse mode
low battery (440 CIPA)
53
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low battery power (290 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 650D Landscape photography features
Sony A290 Landscape photography features
63
has manual focus
swap lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
decent MP (18MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
low battery (440 per charge)
does not have Timelapse mode
58
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no liveview
low battery power (290 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 650D Vlogging factors
Sony A290 Vlogging factors
71
screen is selfie friendly
built-in touchscreen
supports face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external microphone socket
does not have image stabilization
9
can't record video
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Canon 650D vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 650D and Sony A290
 Canon EOS 650DSony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Sony
Model Canon EOS 650D Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Also referred to as EOS Rebel T4i / EOS Kiss X6i -
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2012-08-20 2010-06-09
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 5 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 resolution 5184 x 3456 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 12800 3200
Highest boosted ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Cross focus points 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 Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 1,040k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology Clear View II TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.55x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom 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
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/200 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 480 (60, 50 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format H.264, Motion JPEG -
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 575 grams (1.27 lbs) 549 grams (1.21 lbs)
Dimensions 133 x 100 x 79mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.1") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 62 66
DXO Color Depth score 21.7 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score 11.2 11.5
DXO Low light score 722 615
Other
Battery life 440 photographs 290 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LP-E8 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2s, 10s+remote, 10s + continuous shots 2-10)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $498 $600