Pentax Q vs Sony A290
93 Imaging
35 Features
47 Overall
39


66 Imaging
54 Features
47 Overall
51
Pentax Q vs Sony A290 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 125 - 6400
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax Q Mount
- 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
- Released June 2011
- Successor is Pentax Q10
(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
- Replaced the Sony A230

Pentax Q vs Sony A290 Overview
Lets look a little more closely at the Pentax Q vs Sony A290, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the Q (12MP) and the A290 (14MP) is very similar but the Q (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) offer different sensor sizes.

The Q was unveiled 13 months after the A290 making them a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before we go straight to a full comparison, here is a quick overview of how the Q scores versus the A290 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Pentax Q vs Sony A290 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax Q & Sony Alpha DSLR-A290. The full galleries are provided at Pentax Q Gallery & Sony A290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Sony A290
Q | A290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | June 2011 | ![]() | June 2010 | More modern by 13 months |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Pentax Q
A290 | Q |
---|
Common features in the Pentax Q and Sony A290
Q | A290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More accurate focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Lack of Touch display |
Pentax Q vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison
If you're intending to carry around your camera frequently, you should factor in its weight and dimensions. The Pentax Q provides physical measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") having a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs) while 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).
Check the Pentax Q vs Sony A290 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the Q versus the A290.

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the Q and A290 is 93 and 66 respectively.

Pentax Q vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is tough to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes just by going over technical specs. The pic underneath will give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the Q and A290.
As you have seen, both of these cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The Q having a tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF harder and the Sony A290 will deliver extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The younger Q should have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax Q vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax Q vs Sony A290 Specifications
Pentax Q | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Pentax | Sony |
Model | Pentax Q | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 |
Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level DSLR |
Released | 2011-06-23 | 2010-06-09 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | 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 | 12MP | 14MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4592 x 3056 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 125 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | 25 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Pentax Q | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Total lenses | 8 | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Resolution of display | 460k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display technology | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.55x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 2.0 frames per sec | 3.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 5.60 m | 10.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/2000 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | - |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | - |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 180 grams (0.40 lbs) | 549 grams (1.21 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") | 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 47 | 66 |
DXO Color Depth score | 20.2 | 22.6 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.1 | 11.5 |
DXO Low light score | 189 | 615 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 230 pictures | 290 pictures |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | D-LI68 | NP-FH50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Retail cost | $695 | $600 |