Pentax E70 vs Sony A290

In this write-up, we are reviewing the Pentax E70 and Sony A290, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Pentax and Sony. There is a huge difference between the resolutions of the E70 (10MP) and A290 (14MP) and the E70 (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) possess different sensor sizing.

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The E70 was released 17 months before the A290 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax E70 being a Compact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the E70 matches up vs the A290 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax Optio E70 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A290. The complete galleries are available at Pentax E70 Gallery and Sony A290 Gallery.

If you are going to travel with your camera, you will have to take into account its weight and volume. The Pentax E70 offers outside measurements of 94mm x 61mm x 26mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.0") having a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs) whilst the Sony A290 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") having a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Check out the Pentax E70 and Sony A290 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the E70 against the A290.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the E70 and A290 is 94 and 66 respectively.

Generally, it is very hard to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by reviewing specs. The image below may give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the E70 and A290.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E70 due to its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field harder and the Sony A290 will offer you more detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics far more aggressively. The more aged E70 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.