Sony A290 vs Sony A500
66 Imaging
54 Features
47 Overall
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63 Imaging
52 Features
52 Overall
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Sony A290 vs Sony A500 Key Specs
(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
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
- Announced August 2009
- Newer Model is Sony A560
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The following is a comprehensive overview of the Sony A290 vs Sony A500, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras and both of them are designed by Sony. The image resolution of the A290 (14MP) and the A500 (12MP) is fairly comparable and they come with the exact same sensor measurements (APS-C).
Photography GlossaryThe A290 was revealed 10 months after the A500 so they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact SLR).
Before delving in to a full comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the A290 scores vs the A500 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A500. The full galleries are viewable at Sony A290 Gallery and Sony A500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Sony A500
| A290 | A500 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | June 2010 |  | August 2009 | Newer by 10 months |
Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Sony A290
| A500 | A290 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display type | Tilting |  | Fixed | Tilting display |
| Display dimension | 3" |  | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Common features in the Sony A290 and Sony A500
| A290 | A500 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus |  | Very exact focus | ||
| Display resolution | 230k |  | 230k | Identical display resolution |
| Selfie screen |  | Lack of selfie screen | ||
| Touch friendly display |  | Neither offers Touch friendly display |
Sony A290 vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison
For those who are going to travel with your camera regularly, you will have to consider its weight and size. The Sony A290 offers external dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") having a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs) and the Sony A500 has specifications of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") along with a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).
Contrast the Sony A290 vs Sony A500 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you use during that time. Here is the front view size comparison of the A290 against the A500.
Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the A290 and A500 is 66 and 63 respectively.
Sony A290 vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it can be difficult to imagine the gap in sensor dimensions only by checking out specs. The pic below may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the A290 and A500.
All in all, the two cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different MP. You should anticipate the Sony A290 to show extra detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos much more aggressively. The newer A290 provides a benefit with regard to sensor tech.
Sony A290 vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder
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Sony A290 vs Sony A500 Specifications
| Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Make | Sony | Sony |
| Model type | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 |
| Category | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Released | 2010-06-09 | 2009-08-27 |
| Body design | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor | Bionz | Bionz |
| Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
| Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
| Sensor dimensions | 23.5 x 15.7mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor area | 369.0mm² | 366.6mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 14 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Maximum resolution | 4592 x 3056 | 4272 x 2848 |
| Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 12800 |
| Lowest native ISO | 100 | 200 |
| RAW data | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Touch focus | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| Single AF | ||
| Tracking AF | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| Center weighted AF | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detect AF | ||
| Contract detect AF | ||
| Phase detect AF | ||
| Total focus points | 9 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens support | Sony/Minolta Alpha | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Available lenses | 143 | 143 |
| Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Range of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Display sizing | 2.7 inch | 3 inch |
| Display resolution | 230 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch screen | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder coverage | 95% | 95% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.55x | 0.53x |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
| Continuous shooting speed | 3.0fps | 5.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash distance | 10.00 m (at ISO 100) | 12.00 m |
| Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
| External flash | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Highest flash sync | 1/160 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| Video features | ||
| Maximum video resolution | None | None |
| Mic jack | ||
| Headphone jack | ||
| 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 gr (1.21 pounds) | 630 gr (1.39 pounds) |
| Dimensions | 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") | 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around rating | 66 | 64 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | 22.6 | 21.8 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.5 | 11.6 |
| DXO Low light rating | 615 | 772 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 290 shots | 520 shots |
| Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | NP-FH50 | NP-FM500H |
| 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/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
| Retail price | $600 | $638 |