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Pentax Q7 vs Sony A290

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
54
Overall
43
Pentax Q7 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Pentax Q7 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Pentax Q7
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 200g - 102 x 58 x 34mm
  • Introduced August 2013
  • Old Model is Pentax Q10
Sony A290
(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
  • Introduced June 2010
  • Older Model is Sony A230
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Pentax Q7 vs Sony A290 Overview

Below, we will be evaluating the Pentax Q7 and Sony A290, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the Q7 (12MP) and the A290 (14MP) is pretty well matched but the Q7 (1/1.7") and A290 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor dimensions.

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The Q7 was unveiled 3 years later than the A290 and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Pentax Q7 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a short summary of how the Q7 scores vs the A290 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax Q7 over the Sony A290

 Q7 A290 
IntroducedAugust 2013June 2010Fresher by 39 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Pentax Q7

 A290 Q7 

Common features in the Pentax Q7 and Sony A290

 Q7 A290 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Pentax Q7 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry your camera, you'll need to factor its weight and measurements. The Pentax Q7 offers physical measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs) while the Sony A290 has proportions 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 Q7 and Sony A290 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the Q7 and the A290.

Pentax Q7 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the Q7 and A290 is 92 and 66 respectively.

Pentax Q7 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Pentax Q7 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be tough to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing just by looking at specifications. The photograph underneath will offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the Q7 and A290.

Plainly, both the cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The Q7 having a tinier sensor will make achieving shallower DOF tougher and the Sony A290 will give you greater detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The more modern Q7 will have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax Q7 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Pentax Q7 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax Q7 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax Q7 Portrait photography highlights
Sony A290 Portrait photography highlights
48
you can focus manually
great flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
supports face detection focus
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
65
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Pentax Q7 Street photography information
Sony A290 Street photography information
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
lighter than average (200 grams)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is fixed
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Pentax Q7 Sports photography details
Sony A290 Sports photography details
32
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
bad battery power (250 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
low battery (290 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax Q7 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A290 as a Travel photography camera
60
lighter than average (200 grams)
flash built-in
bad battery power (250 shots)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
53
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
no Time Lapse function
low battery (290 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax Q7 Landscape photography details
Sony A290 Landscape photography details
55
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax Q mount)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
bad battery power (250 CIPA)
58
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
doesn't have liveview
low battery (290 per charge)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax Q7 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A290 as a Vlogging camera
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (200 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing external mic support
9
no video recording
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Pentax Q7 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax Q7 and Sony A290
 Pentax Q7Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model Pentax Q7 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2013-08-08 2010-06-09
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax Q Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 8 143
Focal length multiplier 4.8 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT color LCD monitor, wide angle viewing, AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (optional) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.90 m (ISO100/m) 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings P-TTL, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/2000 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions FullHD(1920x1080, 30fps/25fps/24fps), HD(1280x720,16:9,30fps/25fps/24fps), VGA(640x480,4:3,30fps/25fps/24fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 200 gr (0.44 lb) 549 gr (1.21 lb)
Dimensions 102 x 58 x 34mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.3") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 66
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.5
DXO Low light score not tested 615
Other
Battery life 250 shots 290 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI68 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (12 sec, 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD, SDHC, SDXC and Eye-Fi Card Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $480 $600