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Sony A290 vs Sony A550

Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58

Sony A290 vs Sony A550 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
  • Released June 2010
  • Old Model is Sony A230
Sony A550
(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
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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).

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The 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.

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Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Sony A550

 A290 A550 
AnnouncedJune 2010December 2009More recent by 7 months

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Sony A290

 A550 A290 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution922k230kSharper 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Sony A290 vs Sony A550 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the A290 and A550 is 66 and 63 respectively.

Sony A290 vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A290 vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A290 Portrait photography advice
Sony A550 Portrait photography advice
65
you can focus manually
decent MP (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
no liveview feature
72
manual focus
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detection focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony A290 Street photography advice
Sony A550 Street photography advice
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen does not articulate
74
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sony A290 Sports photography information
Sony A550 Sports photography information
55
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
bad battery (290 shots)
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
not so great battery (480 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Sony A290 Travel photography information
Sony A550 Travel photography information
53
decent MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
missing Timelapse mode
bad battery (290 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
52
megapixel count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse function
not so great battery (480 CIPA)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A290 Landscape photography advice
Sony A550 Landscape photography advice
58
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is small (2.7")
no liveview feature
bad battery (290 per charge)
missing Timelapse mode
66
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
not so great battery (480 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony A290
Vlogging with Sony A550
9
no video shooting
9
no video
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Sony A290 vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A290 and Sony A550
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290Sony 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