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Sony A290 vs Sony A380

Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 front
Portability
68
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54

Sony A290 vs Sony A380 Key Specs

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
  • Succeeded the Sony A230
Sony A380
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 519g - 128 x 97 x 71mm
  • Launched August 2009
  • Old Model is Sony A350
  • Refreshed by Sony A390
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Sony A290 vs Sony A380 Overview

On this page, we will be contrasting the Sony A290 versus Sony A380, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras and they are both manufactured by Sony. The resolution of the A290 (14MP) and the A380 (14MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras provide the same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The A290 was announced 10 months after the A380 and they are of a similar generation. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before going into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief summation of how the A290 scores vs the A380 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Sony A380

 A290 A380 
LaunchedJune 2010August 2009More modern by 10 months

Reasons to pick Sony A380 over the Sony A290

 A380 A290 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Sony A290 and Sony A380

 A290 A380 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Screen dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal screen measurement
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Sony A290 vs Sony A380 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera regularly, you'll need to factor its weight and size. The Sony A290 offers outer dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") and a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs) while the Sony A380 has specifications of 128mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 519 grams (1.14 lbs).

Check the Sony A290 versus Sony A380 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are employing at that moment. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the A290 versus the A380.

Sony A290 vs Sony A380 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the A290 and A380 is 66 and 68 respectively.

Sony A290 vs Sony A380 top view buttons comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony A380 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to envision the difference between sensor sizes merely by reading through specifications. The image below may offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the A290 and A380.

Plainly, both of those cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same exact resolution and you should expect similar quality of images but you might want to take the release date of the products into consideration. The newer A290 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Sony A290 vs Sony A380 sensor size comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony A380 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A290 vs Sony A380 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony A290
Portrait photography with Sony A380
65
you can focus manually
MP count good (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
saves RAW files
no liveview feature
72
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony A290 Street photography advice
Sony A380 Street photography advice
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen does not articulate
77
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony A290
Sports photography with Sony A380
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
continuous shooting slow (3.0 fps)
not so great battery (290 CIPA)
60
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
max fps very slow (3.0 fps)
low battery pack (500 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Sony A290 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A380 as a Travel photography camera
53
MP count good (14MP)
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse function
not so great battery (290 shots)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
54
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low battery pack (500 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A290 Landscape photography features
Sony A380 Landscape photography features
58
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
small screen (2.7 inch)
no liveview feature
not so great battery (290 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
61
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
low battery pack (500 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A290 Vlogging highlights
Sony A380 Vlogging highlights
9
can't shoot video
9
lack of video recording
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Sony A290 vs Sony A380 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A290 and Sony A380
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2010-06-09 2009-08-24
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4592 x 3056 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support Sony/Minolta Alpha Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 143 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x 0.49x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Max video resolution None None
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 549 grams (1.21 lb) 519 grams (1.14 lb)
Physical dimensions 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") 128 x 97 x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 66 67
DXO Color Depth rating 22.6 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.5 11.8
DXO Low light rating 615 614
Other
Battery life 290 photographs 500 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FH50 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $600 $899