Pentax K-50 vs Sony A290
63 Imaging
58 Features
65 Overall
60


66 Imaging
54 Features
47 Overall
51
Pentax K-50 vs Sony A290 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 51600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/6000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
- Introduced November 2013
- Superseded the Pentax K-30
(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
- Revealed June 2010
- Previous Model is Sony A230

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A290 Overview
Its time to examine more in depth at the Pentax K-50 versus Sony A290, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by rivals Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the K-50 (16MP) and the A290 (14MP) is fairly close and they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (APS-C).

The K-50 was announced 3 years after the A290 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).
Before delving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a short view of how the K-50 grades versus the A290 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A290 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax K-50 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A290. The whole galleries are viewable at Pentax K-50 Gallery & Sony A290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Sony A290
K-50 | A290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | November 2013 | ![]() | June 2010 | Newer by 43 months |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper display (+691k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Pentax K-50
A290 | K-50 |
---|
Common features in the Pentax K-50 and Sony A290
K-50 | A290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial precise focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Lacking Touch friendly display |
Pentax K-50 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison
If you're planning to travel with your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-50 offers exterior dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) and 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).
Look at the Pentax K-50 versus Sony A290 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you choose during that time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the K-50 compared to the A290.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-50 and A290 is 63 and 66 respectively.

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is difficult to see the gap in sensor dimensions simply by looking through specs. The image here should offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the K-50 and A290.
As you can plainly see, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You can anticipate the Pentax K-50 to render greater detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics far more aggressively. The newer K-50 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A290 Specifications
Pentax K-50 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Pentax | Sony |
Model type | Pentax K-50 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 |
Type | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Introduced | 2013-11-27 | 2010-06-09 |
Body design | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | PRIME M | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 23.7 x 15.7mm | 23.5 x 15.7mm |
Sensor area | 372.1mm² | 369.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4928 x 3264 | 4592 x 3056 |
Highest native ISO | 51600 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 9 |
Cross type focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Pentax KAF2 | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Number of lenses | 151 | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3" | 2.7" |
Resolution of display | 921 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display tech | TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 95% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.61x | 0.55x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/6000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 6.0 frames per sec | 3.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 10.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/180 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps) | - |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | - |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 650 gr (1.43 lb) | 549 gr (1.21 lb) |
Dimensions | 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") | 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 79 | 66 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 23.7 | 22.6 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 13.0 | 11.5 |
DXO Low light rating | 1120 | 615 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 410 shots | 290 shots |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | D-LI109 | NP-FH50 |
Self timer | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC |
Storage slots | One | One |
Retail price | $610 | $600 |