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Nikon Z50 vs Sony A290

Portability
74
Imaging
68
Features
84
Overall
74
Nikon Z50 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Nikon Z50
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Raise to 204800)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
  • Revealed October 2019
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  • Superseded the Sony A230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

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A290 Overview

The following is a thorough analysis of the Nikon Z50 versus Sony A290, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Nikon and Sony. There is a huge difference between the resolutions of the Z50 (21MP) and A290 (14MP) but they possess the exact same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The Z50 was unveiled 9 years after the A290 which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Nikon Z50 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving through a more detailed comparison, below is a concise view of how the Z50 matches up against the A290 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Sony A290

 Z50 A290 
IntroducedOctober 2019June 2010Newer by 114 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3.2"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1040k230kClearer screen (+810k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Nikon Z50

 A290 Z50 

Common features in the Nikon Z50 and Sony A290

 Z50 A290 
Focus manually Dial exact focus

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera regularly, you need to think about its weight and volume. The Nikon Z50 provides external measurements of 127mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") along with a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs) and 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).

Analyze the Nikon Z50 versus Sony A290 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the Z50 versus the A290.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the Z50 and A290 is 74 and 66 respectively.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be hard to envision the difference between sensor dimensions purely by looking at specs. The image here will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the Z50 and A290.

All in all, both the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Nikon Z50 to resolve greater detail having an extra 7MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures much more aggressively. The fresher Z50 is going to have a benefit in sensor tech.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z50 Portrait photography info
Sony A290 Portrait photography info
80
you can focus manually
good resolution (21MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection focus
supports RAW formats
65
manual focus
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detection focus
delivers RAW files
no liveview
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z50 Street photography factors
Sony A290 Street photography factors
73
has a tilting screen
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
includes touch focus
environment sealing
good ISO range (51,200)
does not have image stabilization
heavier than others in class (397g)
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z50 Sports photography details
Sony A290 Sports photography details
75
good resolution (21 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment sealing
has phase detect auto focus
does not have image stabilization
55
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
no liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
terrible battery life (290 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z50 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A290 as a Travel photography camera
77
environment sealing
supports bluetooth
includes touch focus
good resolution (21 megapixels)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
heavier than others in class (397 grams)
53
resolution is good (14MP)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse function
terrible battery life (290 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z50 Landscape photography details
Sony A290 Landscape photography details
79
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon Z mount)
good sized screen (3.2 inch)
good resolution (21 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
good ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
does not have image stabilization
58
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no liveview
terrible battery life (290 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z50 Vlogging info
Sony A290 Vlogging info
71
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
comes with face detection focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has external mic jack
does not have image stabilization
heavier than others in class (397g)
9
no video recording
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Nikon Z50 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z50 and Sony A290
 Nikon Z50Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Z50 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2019-10-10 2010-06-09
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 6 Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 21MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 5568 x 3712 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 51200 3200
Highest enhanced ISO 204800 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
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 209 9
Lens
Lens mount Nikon Z Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 15 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3.2 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 1,040k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 11.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 7.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM -
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 397 gr (0.88 lb) 549 gr (1.21 lb)
Dimensions 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 66
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.5
DXO Low light score not tested 615
Other
Battery life 320 pictures 290 pictures
Battery type Built-in Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL25 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $857 $600