Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A290
66 Imaging
40 Features
37 Overall
38
66 Imaging
54 Features
47 Overall
51
Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A290 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-1248mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
- 567g - 119 x 89 x 98mm
- Announced July 2014
(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
- Replaced the Sony A230
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In this write-up, we will be matching up the Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A290, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the XG-1 (16MP) and the A290 (14MP) is relatively well matched but the XG-1 (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) use totally different sensor size.
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsThe XG-1 was brought out 4 years after the A290 which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before getting through a step-by-step comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the XG-1 grades against the A290 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax XG-1 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A290. The entire galleries are provided at Pentax XG-1 Gallery & Sony A290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Sony A290
| XG-1 | A290 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | July 2014 |  | June 2010 | Newer by 50 months |
| Screen sizing | 3" |  | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
| Screen resolution | 460k |  | 230k | Sharper screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Pentax XG-1
| A290 | XG-1 |
|---|
Common features in the Pentax XG-1 and Sony A290
| XG-1 | A290 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually |  | Dial exact focusing | ||
| Screen type | Fixed |  | Fixed | Fixed screen |
| Selfie screen |  | Neither comes with selfie screen | ||
| Touch screen |  | Neither comes with Touch screen |
Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison
When you are aiming to travel with your camera, you'll need to take into account its weight and size. The Pentax XG-1 comes with external measurements of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") along with a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs) while the Sony A290 has specifications of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") and a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).
Check out the Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A290 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the XG-1 and the A290.
Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the XG-1 and A290 is 66 and 66 respectively.
Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, its hard to envision the gap between sensor dimensions purely by reading through specifications. The picture below should give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the XG-1 and A290.
Plainly, both cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The XG-1 due to its tinier sensor will make achieving bokeh trickier and the Pentax XG-1 will resolve greater detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The fresher XG-1 is going to have an edge in sensor tech.
Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A290 Specifications
| Pentax XG-1 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand | Pentax | Sony |
| Model | Pentax XG-1 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 |
| Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Announced | 2014-07-15 | 2010-06-09 |
| Body design | SLR-like (bridge) | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Chip | - | Bionz |
| Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
| Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 23.5 x 15.7mm |
| Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 369.0mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16MP | 14MP |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4592 x 3056 |
| Max native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
| Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW format | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Selective autofocus | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Autofocus live view | ||
| Face detect autofocus | ||
| Contract detect autofocus | ||
| Phase detect autofocus | ||
| Number of focus points | - | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Lens focal range | 24-1248mm (52.0x) | - |
| Max aperture | f/2.8-5.6 | - |
| Macro focus range | 1cm | - |
| Amount of lenses | - | 143 |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Display sizing | 3 inch | 2.7 inch |
| Resolution of display | 460 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch operation | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | Electronic | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder resolution | 200 thousand dot | - |
| Viewfinder coverage | - | 95% |
| Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.55x |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 4 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
| Continuous shutter speed | 9.0fps | 3.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash range | 6.00 m | 10.00 m (at ISO 100) |
| Flash options | Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Fastest flash sync | - | 1/160 seconds |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment | ||
| Average | ||
| Spot | ||
| Partial | ||
| AF area | ||
| Center weighted | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps) | - |
| Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
| Video file format | Motion JPEG | - |
| Microphone 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 | 567 gr (1.25 pounds) | 549 gr (1.21 pounds) |
| Dimensions | 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") | 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall 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 | 240 shots | 290 shots |
| Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | LB-060 | NP-FH50 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Storage media | SD/SDHC | Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC |
| Storage slots | Single | Single |
| Cost at release | $599 | $600 |
