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Pentax Q vs Sony A290

Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39
Pentax Q front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Pentax Q vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Pentax Q
(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
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
  • Revealed June 2010
  • Replaced the Sony A230
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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.

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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.

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Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Sony A290

 Q A290 
RevealedJune 2011June 2010More modern by 13 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper 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 typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Pentax Q vs Sony A290 size comparison

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

Pentax Q vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Pentax Q vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax Q vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax Q Portrait photography advice
Sony A290 Portrait photography advice
45
has manual focus
above average flash sync (1/2,000 seconds)
saves RAW files
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
65
has manual focus
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Pentax Q Street photography advice
Sony A290 Street photography advice
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
lighter than competitors in class (180g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Pentax Q Sports photography advice
Sony A290 Sports photography advice
31
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes tracking focus
max fps low (2.0 frames per second)
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery (230 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
55
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
terrible battery life (290 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax Q as a Travel photography camera
Sony A290 as a Travel photography camera
57
lighter than competitors in class (180g)
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse function
low battery (230 CIPA)
low MP (12MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
53
good MP (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
terrible battery life (290 per charge)
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax Q
Landscape photography with Sony A290
51
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery (230 per charge)
does not have Timelapse function
58
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
tiny screen (2.7")
doesn't have liveview
terrible battery life (290 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax Q
Vlogging with Sony A290
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors in class (180g)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
does not have microphone socket
9
can't shoot video
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Pentax Q vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax Q and Sony A290
 Pentax QSony 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