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Pentax K-7 vs Sony A290

Portability
60
Imaging
54
Features
69
Overall
60
Pentax K-7 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Pentax K-7 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Pentax K-7
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 2000 (Raise to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 750g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Revealed October 2009
  • Successor is Pentax K-5
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
  • Revealed June 2010
  • Replaced the Sony A230
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Pentax K-7 vs Sony A290 Overview

Below, we will be evaluating the Pentax K-7 vs Sony A290, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the K-7 (15MP) and the A290 (14MP) is pretty close and they possess the exact same sensor size (APS-C).

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The K-7 was manufactured 8 months before the A290 which means that they are of a similar age. The two cameras come with different body type with the Pentax K-7 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go through a complete comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the K-7 matches up versus the A290 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-7 over the Sony A290

 K-7 A290 
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Pentax K-7

 A290 K-7 
RevealedJune 2010October 2009Newer by 8 months

Common features in the Pentax K-7 and Sony A290

 K-7 A290 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Pentax K-7 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-7 provides exterior measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") having a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs) and the Sony A290 has dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") having a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Compare the Pentax K-7 vs Sony A290 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilising at that time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the K-7 compared to the A290.

Pentax K-7 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-7 and A290 is 60 and 66 respectively.

Pentax K-7 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-7 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very tough to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions only by viewing technical specs. The pic below should offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the K-7 and A290.

As you have seen, each of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You can expect the Pentax K-7 to render more detail due to its extra 1 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs much more aggressively. The more aged K-7 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax K-7 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-7 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-7 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-7 Portrait photography factors
Sony A290 Portrait photography factors
72
manual focus
good MP (15MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
65
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
exports RAW files
does not have liveview
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-7 Street photography details
Sony A290 Street photography details
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
screen is fixed
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-7 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A290 as a Sports photography camera
69
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (15 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
weather proofing
has phase detect autofocus
max fps low (5.0 fps)
55
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
does not have liveview
max fps very slow (3.0 fps)
not so great battery power (290 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-7
Travel photography with Sony A290
64
weather proofing
good MP (15MP)
flash built-in
display isn't selfie friendly
53
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
missing Timelapse function
not so great battery power (290 CIPA)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-7 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A290 Landscape photography highlights
77
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (15MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
58
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
small screen (2.7 inch)
does not have liveview
not so great battery power (290 shots)
missing Timelapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-7 Vlogging info
Sony A290 Vlogging info
25
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect autofocus
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic socket
9
no video shooting
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Pentax K-7 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-7 and Sony A290
 Pentax K-7Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-7 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2009-10-02 2010-06-09
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Prime II Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.4 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 365.0mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4672 x 3104 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 2000 3200
Highest boosted ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 151 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 921k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT color LCD with AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.55x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 13.00 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest 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
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 1536 x 1024 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Video format Motion JPEG -
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 None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 750 grams (1.65 lbs) 549 grams (1.21 lbs)
Dimensions 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 61 66
DXO Color Depth score 22.6 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score 10.6 11.5
DXO Low light score 536 615
Other
Battery life 980 images 290 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $599 $600