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Nikon Z7 II vs Sony A290

Portability
61
Imaging
80
Features
92
Overall
84
Nikon Z7 Mark II front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Nikon Z7 II vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Nikon Z7 II
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Bump to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 705g - 134 x 101 x 70mm
  • Introduced October 2020
  • Succeeded the Nikon Z7
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
  • Launched June 2010
  • Succeeded the Sony A230
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Nikon Z7 II vs Sony A290 Overview

Lets take a deeper look at the Nikon Z7 II versus Sony A290, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Nikon and Sony. There is a considerable difference among the image resolutions of the Z7 II (46MP) and A290 (14MP) and the Z7 II (Full frame) and A290 (APS-C) have totally different sensor sizing.

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The Z7 II was brought out 10 years later than the A290 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Nikon Z7 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a concise summary of how the Z7 II matches up vs the A290 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z7 II over the Sony A290

 Z7 II A290 
LaunchedOctober 2020June 2010More recent by 126 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3.2"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution2100k230kSharper screen (+1870k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Nikon Z7 II

 A290 Z7 II 

Common features in the Nikon Z7 II and Sony A290

 Z7 II A290 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Nikon Z7 II vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you will have to factor its weight and measurements. The Nikon Z7 II offers external dimensions of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") along with a weight of 705 grams (1.55 lbs) while the Sony A290 has proportions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") along with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

See the Nikon Z7 II versus Sony A290 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the Z7 II and the A290.

Nikon Z7 II vs Sony A290 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the Z7 II and A290 is 61 and 66 respectively.

Nikon Z7 II vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z7 II vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its hard to visualise the gap in sensor measurements just by researching technical specs. The graphic here will provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the Z7 II and A290.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The Z7 II featuring a bigger sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field simpler and the Nikon Z7 II will result in greater detail having its extra 32 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots way more aggressively. The newer Z7 II will have an advantage in sensor tech.

Nikon Z7 II vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z7 II vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z7 II vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z7 II Portrait photography factors
Sony A290 Portrait photography factors
88
focusing manually
resolution is high (46 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detection focus
delivers RAW files
65
focusing manually
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with face detection focusing
saves RAW files
no liveview
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z7 II as a Street photography camera
Sony A290 as a Street photography camera
79
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
comes with focus by touch
environment proof
great ISO range (25,600)
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
fixed screen
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Nikon Z7 II as a Sports photography camera
Sony A290 as a Sports photography camera
90
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is high (46 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proof
comes with phase detect auto focus
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
no liveview
max frames per second low (3.0 fps)
terrible battery (290 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z7 II Travel photography highlights
Sony A290 Travel photography highlights
72
environment proof
connects via bluetooth
comes with focus by touch
resolution is high (46MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
53
good megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
terrible battery (290 shots)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z7 II as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A290 as a Landscape photography camera
88
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen is a good size (3.2 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is high (46 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
great ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
2 card slots
58
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
tiny screen (2.7")
no liveview
terrible battery (290 shots)
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z7 II Vlogging features
Sony A290 Vlogging features
36
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection focus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have external microphone support
display isn't selfie friendly
9
lack of video recording
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Nikon Z7 II vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z7 II and Sony A290
 Nikon Z7 Mark IISony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Z7 Mark II Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Class Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2020-10-14 2010-06-09
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 23.9mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 46 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 8256 x 5504 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 25600 3200
Maximum boosted ISO 102400 -
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW data
Min boosted ISO 32 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 493 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon Z Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 15 143
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3.2" 2.7"
Resolution of display 2,100k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 3,690k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.55x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/200 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM -
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 705 grams (1.55 lb) 549 grams (1.21 lb)
Physical dimensions 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 420 shots 290 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage CFexpress (Type B), XQD, SD (UHS-II) Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Card slots 2 1
Cost at launch $2,997 $600