Clicky

Sony A7c vs Sony A290

Portability
78
Imaging
76
Features
88
Overall
80
Sony Alpha A7c front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Sony A7c vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Sony A7c
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 509g - 124 x 71 x 60mm
  • Introduced September 2020
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
  • Launched June 2010
  • Superseded the Sony A230
Photography Glossary

Sony A7c vs Sony A290 Overview

Following is a comprehensive overview of the Sony A7c vs Sony A290, former is a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR and both of them are offered by Sony. There exists a considerable gap among the resolutions of the A7c (24MP) and A290 (14MP) and the A7c (Full frame) and A290 (APS-C) have different sensor measurements.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

The A7c was released 10 years after the A290 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Sony A7c being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go right into a complete comparison, here is a brief overview of how the A7c matches up vs the A290 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards
	
	

Reasons to pick Sony A7c over the Sony A290

 A7c A290 
LaunchedSeptember 2020June 2010More modern by 125 months
Screen typeFully articulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution922k230kSharper screen (+692k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Sony A7c

 A290 A7c 

Common features in the Sony A7c and Sony A290

 A7c A290 
Focus manually More accurate focusing

Sony A7c vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Sony A7c has physical measurements of 124mm x 71mm x 60mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 2.4") having a weight of 509 grams (1.12 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).

Take a look at the Sony A7c vs Sony A290 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have attached during that time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the A7c and the A290.

Sony A7c vs Sony A290 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A7c and A290 is 78 and 66 respectively.

Sony A7c vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Sony A7c vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's hard to imagine the gap in sensor sizes purely by checking out a spec sheet. The image below should give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the A7c and A290.

Clearly, the two cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The A7c due to its bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field easier and the Sony A7c will show more detail as a result of its extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more recent A7c provides an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Sony A7c vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Sony A7c vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A7c vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A7c as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A290 as a Portrait photography camera
78
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
external flash not possible
65
has manual focus
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
does not have liveview
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Street Comparison

Sony A7c Street photography advice
Sony A290 Street photography advice
85
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
boasts touch focus
weather proof
good high ISO (51,200)
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no moving screen
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony A7c
Sports photography with Sony A290
88
silent shooting (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
weather proof
better than average battery life (740 per charge)
sensor has phase detect AF
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
bad battery life (290 per charge)
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Travel Comparison

Sony A7c Travel photography information
Sony A290 Travel photography information
86
better than average battery life (740 CIPA)
weather proof
connects via bluetooth
boasts touch focus
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
display is selfie friendly
53
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
no Timelapse function
bad battery life (290 per charge)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Landscape Comparison

Sony A7c Landscape photography factors
Sony A290 Landscape photography factors
88
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
good high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
better than average battery life (740 shots)
58
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is small (2.7 inch)
does not have liveview
bad battery life (290 CIPA)
no Timelapse function
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Vlogging Comparison

Sony A7c Vlogging details
Sony A290 Vlogging details
86
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect focusing
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes mic jack
9
no video recording
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sony A7c vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A7c and Sony A290
 Sony Alpha A7cSony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha A7c Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Class Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2020-09-14 2010-06-09
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 35.8 x 23.8mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 852.0mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 6000 x 4000 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 51200 3200
Highest enhanced ISO 204800 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Min enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 693 9
Lens
Lens mount type Sony E Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 122 143
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fully articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 922 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.59x 0.55x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/8000 secs -
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated 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
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM -
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video file format MPEG-4, XAVC S, H.264 -
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 509g (1.12 pounds) 549g (1.21 pounds)
Physical dimensions 124 x 71 x 60mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 2.4") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 740 photographs 290 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FZ100 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $1,800 $600