Pentax WG-1 vs Sony A290
93 Imaging
36 Features
31 Overall
34
66 Imaging
53 Features
47 Overall
50
Pentax WG-1 vs Sony A290 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 6400
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
- 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
- Launched February 2011
(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
- Earlier Model is Sony A230
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards Pentax WG-1 vs Sony A290 Overview
Let's examine more in depth at the Pentax WG-1 vs Sony A290, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the WG-1 (14MP) and the A290 (14MP) is relatively close but the WG-1 (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) come with different sensor sizing.
Mastering Nature Photography with a Digital Microscope CameraThe WG-1 was unveiled 9 months later than the A290 and they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax WG-1 being a Compact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before getting through a more detailed comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the WG-1 grades vs the A290 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images Pentax WG-1 vs Sony A290 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax Optio WG-1 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A290. The full galleries are provided at Pentax WG-1 Gallery & Sony A290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 over the Sony A290
| WG-1 | A290 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | February 2011 |  | June 2010 | More recent by 9 months |
Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Pentax WG-1
| A290 | WG-1 |
|---|
Common features in the Pentax WG-1 and Sony A290
| WG-1 | A290 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus |  | More accurate focus | ||
| Screen type | Fixed |  | Fixed | Fixed screen |
| Screen sizing | 2.7" |  | 2.7" | Equivalent screen measurement |
| Screen resolution | 230k |  | 230k | Same screen resolution |
| Selfie screen |  | Absent selfie screen | ||
| Touch screen |  | Absent Touch screen |
Pentax WG-1 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison
If you are aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you are going to need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Pentax WG-1 features external dimensions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Sony A290 has dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).
Examine the Pentax WG-1 vs Sony A290 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are working with at the time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the WG-1 versus the A290.
Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the WG-1 and A290 is 93 and 66 respectively.
Pentax WG-1 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is very difficult to imagine the gap in sensor measurements only by looking through technical specs. The photograph here might provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the WG-1 and A290.
As you can tell, the two cameras enjoy the same exact megapixel count albeit different sensor measurements. The WG-1 comes with the smaller sensor which is going to make achieving bokeh trickier. The newer WG-1 provides an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.
Pentax WG-1 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder
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Pentax WG-1 vs Sony A290 Specifications
| Pentax Optio WG-1 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Make | Pentax | Sony |
| Model type | Pentax Optio WG-1 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 |
| Category | Waterproof | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Launched | 2011-02-07 | 2010-06-09 |
| Physical type | Compact | 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 | 14 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Peak resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 4592 x 3056 |
| Highest native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
| Lowest native ISO | 80 | 100 |
| RAW support | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| Single AF | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| AF selectice | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| Live view AF | ||
| Face detect AF | ||
| Contract detect AF | ||
| Phase detect AF | ||
| Total focus points | 9 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens support | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Lens zoom range | 28-140mm (5.0x) | - |
| Largest aperture | f/3.5-5.5 | - |
| Macro focusing range | 1cm | - |
| Total lenses | - | 143 |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Display size | 2.7 inch | 2.7 inch |
| Resolution of display | 230k dots | 230k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch capability | ||
| Display technology | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder coverage | - | 95 percent |
| Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.55x |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 4 secs | 30 secs |
| Max shutter speed | 1/1500 secs | 1/4000 secs |
| Continuous shutter rate | 1.0 frames/s | 3.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
| Set WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash distance | 3.90 m | 10.00 m (at ISO 100) |
| Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
| External flash | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Max flash synchronize | - | 1/160 secs |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) | - |
| Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | None |
| Video data format | Motion JPEG | - |
| Mic support | ||
| Headphone support | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | None |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental sealing | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 157 gr (0.35 lb) | 549 gr (1.21 lb) |
| Dimensions | 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") | 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall rating | not tested | 66 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 22.6 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 11.5 |
| DXO Low light rating | not tested | 615 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 260 photographs | 290 photographs |
| Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | D-LI92 | NP-FH50 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC |
| Card slots | One | One |
| Pricing at release | $350 | $600 |