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Sony A9 vs Sony A290

Portability
65
Imaging
74
Features
93
Overall
81
Sony Alpha A9 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Sony A9 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Announced April 2017
  • Newer Model is Sony A9 II
Sony A290
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • 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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Sony A9 vs Sony A290 Overview

Below, we are reviewing the Sony A9 and Sony A290, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR and both of them are built by Sony. There is a significant difference between the resolutions of the A9 (24MP) and A290 (14MP) and the A9 (Full frame) and A290 (APS-C) use totally different sensor measurements.

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The A9 was introduced 6 years later than the A290 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Sony A9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going in to a thorough comparison, below is a short view of how the A9 matches up against the A290 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Sony A290

 A9 A290 
ReleasedApril 2017June 2010Fresher by 84 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1440k230kClearer display (+1210k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Sony A9

 A290 A9 

Common features in the Sony A9 and Sony A290

 A9 A290 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Sony A9 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera regularly, you will want to take into account its weight and volume. The Sony A9 enjoys physical dimensions of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") having a weight of 673 grams (1.48 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).

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Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are using at that time. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the A9 against the A290.

Sony A9 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the A9 and A290 is 65 and 66 respectively.

Sony A9 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Sony A9 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Often, its tough to envision the contrast between sensor sizing merely by checking specifications. The graphic here may give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the A9 and A290.

To sum up, each of the cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The A9 using its larger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field easier and the Sony A9 will give greater detail using its extra 10MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The more modern A9 will have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Sony A9 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Sony A9 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A9 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A9 Portrait photography details
Sony A290 Portrait photography details
84
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
provides face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
65
manual focus
megapixel count good (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
no liveview feature
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Street Comparison

Sony A9 Street photography details
Sony A290 Street photography details
79
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
boasts focus by touch
environment proof
great ISO range (51,200)
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Sony A9 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A290 as a Sports photography camera
87
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
max frames per second high (20.0 frames per second)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
environment proof
good battery pack (650 per charge)
sensor has phase detect AF
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
no liveview feature
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames per second)
not so great battery (290 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Sony A9 Travel photography highlights
Sony A290 Travel photography highlights
74
good battery pack (650 CIPA)
environment proof
has bluetooth
boasts focus by touch
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
53
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
not so great battery (290 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A9 Landscape photography information
Sony A290 Landscape photography information
86
manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
great ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
good battery pack (650 CIPA)
2 card slots
58
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
small screen (2.7 inches)
no liveview feature
not so great battery (290 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A9 Vlogging information
Sony A290 Vlogging information
37
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes microphone support
screen is not selfie friendly
9
no video shooting
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Sony A9 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A9 and Sony A290
 Sony Alpha A9Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha A9 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2017-04-19 2010-06-09
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor BIONZ X Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 35.6 x 23.8mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 847.3mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 6000 x 4000 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 51200 3200
Maximum boosted ISO 204800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Lowest boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 693 9
Lens
Lens mount type Sony E Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 121 143
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 1,440 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 3,686 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x 0.55x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shooting rate 20.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set 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 Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 -
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 673 grams (1.48 pounds) 549 grams (1.21 pounds)
Dimensions 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 92 66
DXO Color Depth rating 24.9 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.3 11.5
DXO Low light rating 3517 615
Other
Battery life 650 photographs 290 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FZ100 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Card slots 2 1
Retail cost $4,498 $600