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Pentax Efina vs Sony A290

Portability
97
Imaging
38
Features
26
Overall
33
Pentax Efina front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Pentax Efina vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Pentax Efina
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.5-6.3) lens
  • 91g - 87 x 54 x 21mm
  • Launched June 2013
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
  • Introduced June 2010
  • Older Model is Sony A230
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Pentax Efina vs Sony A290 Overview

Here is a thorough assessment of the Pentax Efina versus Sony A290, former being a Ultracompact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the Efina (14MP) and the A290 (14MP) is fairly close but the Efina (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) posses totally different sensor sizes.

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The Efina was unveiled 3 years later than the A290 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Pentax Efina being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go into a full comparison, here is a brief summary of how the Efina matches up vs the A290 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax Efina over the Sony A290

 Efina A290 
IntroducedJune 2013June 2010Fresher by 37 months

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Pentax Efina

 A290 Efina 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Display size2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Pentax Efina and Sony A290

 Efina A290 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Pentax Efina vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera, you will want to consider its weight and measurements. The Pentax Efina comes with exterior dimensions of 87mm x 54mm x 21mm (3.4" x 2.1" x 0.8") with a weight of 91 grams (0.20 lbs) while the Sony A290 has proportions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") having a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Look at the Pentax Efina versus Sony A290 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Following is a front view size comparison of the Efina versus the A290.

Pentax Efina vs Sony A290 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the Efina and A290 is 97 and 66 respectively.

Pentax Efina vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Pentax Efina vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its tough to visualise the difference in sensor sizing just by looking through specifications. The photograph here will give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the Efina and A290.

To sum up, the 2 cameras come with the identical resolution but not the same sensor sizing. The Efina uses the smaller sensor which will make achieving shallow depth of field more challenging. The younger Efina is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax Efina vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Pentax Efina vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax Efina vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax Efina as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A290 as a Portrait photography camera
34
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
comes with face detect focus
manual focus not available
no manual control
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
65
you can focus manually
good resolution (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
no liveview feature
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Street Comparison

Pentax Efina as a Street photography camera
Sony A290 as a Street photography camera
64
image stabilization (Digital)
lighter than competitors in class (91g)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax Efina as a Sports photography camera
Sony A290 as a Sports photography camera
35
image stabilization (Digital)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,400 seconds)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
55
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
max frames per second low (3.0 fps)
terrible battery (290 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax Efina Travel photography details
Sony A290 Travel photography details
69
lighter than competitors in class (91 grams)
megapixel count good (14MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (26mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
53
good resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse recording
terrible battery (290 per charge)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax Efina Landscape photography information
Sony A290 Landscape photography information
38
quite wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Digital)
megapixel count good (14MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.5 inch)
no manual control
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Timelapse recording
58
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
tiny screen (2.7")
no liveview feature
terrible battery (290 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax Efina Vlogging information
Sony A290 Vlogging information
33
quite wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Digital)
comes with face detect focus
lighter than competitors in class (91 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone socket
9
no video
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Pentax Efina vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax Efina and Sony A290
 Pentax EfinaSony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax Efina Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Class Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2013-06-03 2010-06-09
Physical type Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.5-6.3 -
Macro focus distance 20cm -
Total lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology QVGA TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 1/8 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1400 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.10 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, Auto Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720, 640 x 480 -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 91 grams (0.20 pounds) 549 grams (1.21 pounds)
Physical dimensions 87 x 54 x 21mm (3.4" x 2.1" x 0.8") 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 200 pictures 290 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI109 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SC/SDHC, Internal Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $10 $600