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Pentax K-x vs Sony A290

Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50
Pentax K-x front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Pentax K-x vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Pentax K-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Push to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Revealed December 2009
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
  • Launched June 2010
  • Replaced the Sony A230
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Pentax K-x vs Sony A290 Overview

Here, we are comparing the Pentax K-x vs Sony A290, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the K-x (12MP) and the A290 (14MP) is very comparable and both cameras have the identical sensor sizes (APS-C).

Photography Glossary

The K-x was brought out 5 months before the A290 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before getting into a detailed comparison, here is a short view of how the K-x grades against the A290 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-x over the Sony A290

 K-x A290 

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Pentax K-x

 A290 K-x 

Common features in the Pentax K-x and Sony A290

 K-x A290 
LaunchedDecember 2009June 2010Same generation
Manual focus More exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size2.7"2.7"Same display dimensions
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither has Touch friendly display

Pentax K-x vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and volume. The Pentax K-x has outside measurements of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) while the Sony A290 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax K-x vs Sony A290 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Here is a front view size comparison of the K-x versus the A290.

Pentax K-x vs Sony A290 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the K-x and A290 is 69 and 66 respectively.

Pentax K-x vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-x vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's tough to see the difference in sensor dimensions just by going through a spec sheet. The pic here may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the K-x and A290.

As you can see, the 2 cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Sony A290 to show extra detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images way more aggressively.

Pentax K-x vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-x vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-x Portrait photography factors
Sony A290 Portrait photography factors
63
focusing manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection focus
saves RAW files
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
65
manual focus
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection focus
delivers RAW files
does not have liveview
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-x Street photography information
Sony A290 Street photography information
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-x Sports photography details
Sony A290 Sports photography details
61
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
good battery (1,900 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
low frames per second (5.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
55
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
slow frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
bad battery life (290 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-x Travel photography information
Sony A290 Travel photography information
54
good battery (1,900 CIPA)
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
53
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
bad battery life (290 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-x Landscape photography highlights
Sony A290 Landscape photography highlights
61
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
good battery (1,900 CIPA)
screen is small (2.7")
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
58
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen is small (2.7 inches)
does not have liveview
bad battery life (290 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-x as a Vlogging camera
Sony A290 as a Vlogging camera
27
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focus
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone socket
9
no video shooting
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Pentax K-x vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-x and Sony A290
 Pentax K-xSony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-x Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2009-12-23 2010-06-09
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Prime Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4288 x 2848 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Highest enhanced ISO 12800 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 151 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x 0.55x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/6000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 16.00 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings 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
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 580 gr (1.28 pounds) 549 gr (1.21 pounds)
Physical dimensions 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 72 66
DXO Color Depth score 22.8 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score 12.5 11.5
DXO Low light score 811 615
Other
Battery life 1900 photographs 290 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $600 $600