Sigma DP2 Quattro vs Sony A290
70 Imaging
62 Features
38 Overall
52


66 Imaging
53 Features
47 Overall
50
Sigma DP2 Quattro vs Sony A290 Key Specs
(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
(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

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).

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.

Sigma DP2 Quattro vs Sony A290 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Sigma DP2 Quattro & Sony Alpha DSLR-A290. The full galleries are viewable at Sigma DP2 Quattro Gallery & Sony A290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sigma DP2 Quattro over the Sony A290
DP2 Quattro | A290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | February 2014 | ![]() | June 2010 | More modern by 45 months |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Sigma DP2 Quattro vs Sony A290 Specifications
Sigma DP2 Quattro | Sony 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 |