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Sigma DP2 Quattro vs Sony A290

Portability
70
Imaging
62
Features
38
Overall
52
Sigma DP2 Quattro front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
53
Features
47
Overall
50

Sigma DP2 Quattro vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Sigma DP2 Quattro
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • No Video
  • 45mm (F2.8) lens
  • 395g - 161 x 67 x 82mm
  • Introduced February 2014
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
  • Released June 2010
  • Succeeded the Sony A230
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Sigma DP2 Quattro vs Sony A290 Overview

Below, we will be evaluating the Sigma DP2 Quattro vs Sony A290, former is a Large Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Sigma and Sony. There exists a noticeable gap between the resolutions of the DP2 Quattro (20MP) and A290 (14MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The DP2 Quattro was revealed 3 years after the A290 which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Sigma DP2 Quattro being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a quick summary of how the DP2 Quattro scores vs the A290 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sigma DP2 Quattro over the Sony A290

 DP2 Quattro A290 
ReleasedFebruary 2014June 2010More modern by 45 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kSharper screen (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Sigma DP2 Quattro

 A290 DP2 Quattro 

Common features in the Sigma DP2 Quattro and Sony A290

 DP2 Quattro A290 
Manual focus Very precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Sigma DP2 Quattro vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to consider its weight and volume. The Sigma DP2 Quattro offers exterior dimensions of 161mm x 67mm x 82mm (6.3" x 2.6" x 3.2") having a weight of 395 grams (0.87 lbs) whilst the Sony A290 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") and a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Check the Sigma DP2 Quattro vs Sony A290 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose at that time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the DP2 Quattro versus the A290.

Sigma DP2 Quattro vs Sony A290 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the DP2 Quattro and A290 is 70 and 66 respectively.

Sigma DP2 Quattro vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Sigma DP2 Quattro vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is difficult to see the difference between sensor sizes just by reading specs. The picture here will help provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the DP2 Quattro and A290.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Sigma DP2 Quattro to offer you more detail because of its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The newer DP2 Quattro will have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Sigma DP2 Quattro vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Sigma DP2 Quattro vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma DP2 Quattro vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma DP2 Quattro Portrait photography factors
Sony A290 Portrait photography factors
77
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
65
has manual focus
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detection focus
saves RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sigma DP2 Quattro
Street photography with Sony A290
61
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Sigma DP2 Quattro as a Sports photography camera
Sony A290 as a Sports photography camera
47
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
fixed focal length (45mm)
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
no phase detect autofocus
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
not so great battery (290 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Sigma DP2 Quattro Travel photography factors
Sony A290 Travel photography factors
53
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
53
good MP (14MP)
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
not so great battery (290 shots)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma DP2 Quattro Landscape photography advice
Sony A290 Landscape photography advice
59
you can focus manually
pretty good screen size (3")
megapixel count decent (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (45mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
lack of image stabilization
57
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
small screen (2.7")
doesn't have liveview
not so great battery (290 shots)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sigma DP2 Quattro
Vlogging with Sony A290
9
can't record video
9
no video recording
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Sigma DP2 Quattro vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma DP2 Quattro and Sony A290
 Sigma DP2 QuattroSony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Company Sigma Sony
Model type Sigma DP2 Quattro Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Category Large Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2014-02-13 2010-06-09
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by TRUE III engine Bionz
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5424 x 3616 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
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
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 45mm (1x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8 -
Number of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 920k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Maximum video resolution None None
Mic port
Headphone port
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 395g (0.87 lbs) 549g (1.21 lbs)
Dimensions 161 x 67 x 82mm (6.3" x 2.6" x 3.2") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - 290 photographs
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID BP-51 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage - Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $931 $600