Sony A290 vs Sony A550
66 Imaging
54 Features
47 Overall
51
63 Imaging
54 Features
65 Overall
58
Sony A290 vs Sony A550 Key Specs
(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
- Released June 2010
- Old Model is Sony A230
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 632g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
- Announced December 2009
- Earlier Model is Sony A100
Sony A290 vs Sony A550 Overview
Let's look a little more closely at the Sony A290 versus Sony A550, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras and they are both built by Sony. The resolution of the A290 (14MP) and the A550 (14MP) is fairly similar and both cameras have the same sensor size (APS-C).
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music videoThe A290 was revealed 7 months later than the A550 so they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).
Before going straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the A290 scores against the A550 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
Sony A290 vs Sony A550 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A550. The full galleries are available at Sony A290 Gallery and Sony A550 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Sony A550
A290 | A550 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | June 2010 | December 2009 | More recent by 7 months |
Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Sony A290
A550 | A290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting display | |
Display dimensions | 3" | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") | |
Display resolution | 922k | 230k | Sharper display (+692k dot) |
Common features in the Sony A290 and Sony A550
A290 | A550 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | Dial accurate focus | |||
Selfie screen | Absent selfie screen | |||
Touch display | Absent Touch display |
Sony A290 vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison
In case you're looking to lug around your camera regularly, you're going to have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Sony A290 enjoys outside dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") along with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs) and the Sony A550 has proportions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).
Compare the Sony A290 versus Sony A550 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the A290 compared to the A550.
Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the A290 and A550 is 66 and 63 respectively.
Sony A290 vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison
Often, it is difficult to see the difference between sensor measurements purely by going over specifications. The photograph below will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the A290 and A550.
Plainly, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same exact resolution so you should expect similar quality of images although you might want to consider the release date of the products into consideration. The more modern A290 will have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.
Sony A290 vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Sony A290 vs Sony A550 Specifications
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Sony | Sony |
Model | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 |
Class | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Released | 2010-06-09 | 2009-12-09 |
Physical type | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Bionz | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 23.5 x 15.7mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 369.0mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4592 x 3056 | 4592 x 3056 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 12800 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Sony/Minolta Alpha | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Number of lenses | 143 | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen size | 2.7 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dots | 922 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95% | 95% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.55x | 0.53x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 3.0 frames per sec | 7.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 10.00 m (at ISO 100) | 12.00 m |
Flash settings | 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 |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/160s | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Maximum 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 | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 549g (1.21 lb) | 632g (1.39 lb) |
Physical 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 score | 66 | 66 |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.6 | 21.9 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.5 | 11.8 |
DXO Low light score | 615 | 807 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 290 pictures | 480 pictures |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | 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 |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Cost at launch | $600 | $749 |