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Sony A290 vs Sony A390

Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54

Sony A290 vs Sony A390 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
  • Revealed June 2010
  • Earlier Model is Sony A230
Sony A390
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Launched July 2010
  • Old Model is Sony A380
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Sony A290 vs Sony A390 Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Sony A290 versus Sony A390, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras and both of them are offered by Sony. The resolution of the A290 (14MP) and the A390 (14MP) is relatively close and they possess the exact same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The A290 was unveiled very close to the A390 which means that they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before going through a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise overview of how the A290 matches up vs the A390 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Sony A390

 A290 A390 

Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Sony A290

 A390 A290 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Sony A290 and Sony A390

 A290 A390 
LaunchedJune 2010July 2010Same age
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen dimension2.7"2.7"Identical screen sizing
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Sony A290 vs Sony A390 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry around your camera, you'll have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Sony A290 has got outside measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs) and the Sony A390 has proportions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") along with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Analyze the Sony A290 versus Sony A390 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising at that moment. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the A290 versus the A390.

Sony A290 vs Sony A390 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the A290 and A390 is 66 and 66 respectively.

Sony A290 vs Sony A390 top view buttons comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony A390 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very hard to visualize the gap in sensor sizes only by viewing technical specs. The image below may offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the A290 and A390.

As you have seen, both of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the exact same resolution therefore you can expect comparable quality of photos although you may want to consider the age of the cameras into account.

Sony A290 vs Sony A390 sensor size comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony A390 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A290 vs Sony A390 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony A290
Portrait photography with Sony A390
65
has manual focus
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes face detect focus
delivers RAW files
does not have liveview
72
focusing manually
decent megapixels (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony A290 Street photography features
Sony A390 Street photography features
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen is fixed
76
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sony A290 Sports photography features
Sony A390 Sports photography features
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
terrible battery life (290 shots)
60
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
max frames per second low (3.0 frames per second)
bad battery (230 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Sony A290 Travel photography details
Sony A390 Travel photography details
53
good MP (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
missing Timelapse function
terrible battery life (290 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
53
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
bad battery (230 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A290 Landscape photography details
Sony A390 Landscape photography details
58
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
does not have liveview
terrible battery life (290 shots)
missing Timelapse function
61
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is small (2.7 inches)
bad battery (230 shots)
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A290 Vlogging information
Sony A390 Vlogging information
9
no video
9
can't record video
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Sony A290 vs Sony A390 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A290 and Sony A390
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2010-06-09 2010-07-28
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4592 x 3056 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type Sony/Minolta Alpha Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 143 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.7" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x 0.49x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt 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
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/160s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Highest video resolution None None
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 549 grams (1.21 pounds) 549 grams (1.21 pounds)
Dimensions 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 66 66
DXO Color Depth rating 22.6 22.5
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.5 11.5
DXO Low light rating 615 607
Other
Battery life 290 pictures 230 pictures
Form of battery 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
Storage media Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $600 $500