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Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-5R

Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5R front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
76
Overall
64

Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-5R 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
  • Older Model is Sony A230
Sony NEX-5R
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Launched August 2012
  • Superseded the Sony NEX-5N
  • Replacement is Sony NEX-5T
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Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-5R Overview

Here, we are looking at the Sony A290 and Sony NEX-5R, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are produced by Sony. The sensor resolution of the A290 (14MP) and the NEX-5R (16MP) is very close and both cameras have the identical sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The A290 was manufactured 3 years prior to the NEX-5R and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony NEX-5R being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting right into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise overview of how the A290 grades versus the NEX-5R with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Sony NEX-5R

 A290 NEX-5R 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5R over the Sony A290

 NEX-5R A290 
LaunchedAugust 2012June 2010More recent by 27 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kClearer display (+690k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Sony A290 and Sony NEX-5R

 A290 NEX-5R 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-5R Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to lug around your camera frequently, you'll need to factor its weight and size. The Sony A290 comes with outer dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs) and the Sony NEX-5R has specifications of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") and a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

Compare the Sony A290 and Sony NEX-5R in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the A290 vs the NEX-5R.

Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-5R size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the A290 and NEX-5R is 66 and 89 respectively.

Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-5R top view buttons comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-5R Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor measurements just by looking through a spec sheet. The graphic here will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the A290 and NEX-5R.

Clearly, the two cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Sony NEX-5R to result in greater detail due to its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics way more aggressively. The older A290 will be behind in sensor technology.

Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-5R sensor size comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A290 Portrait photography features
Sony NEX-5R Portrait photography features
65
manual focus
MP count decent (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
saves RAW files
doesn't have liveview
74
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony A290 Street photography features
Sony NEX-5R Street photography features
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is fixed
80
screen tilts
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
has focus via touch
above average high ISO (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sony A290 as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-5R as a Sports photography camera
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
max frames per second very slow (3.0 fps)
not so great battery (290 CIPA)
68
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
has phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Sony A290 as a Travel photography camera
Sony NEX-5R as a Travel photography camera
53
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse mode
not so great battery (290 CIPA)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
73
has focus via touch
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A290 Landscape photography info
Sony NEX-5R Landscape photography info
58
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
small screen (2.7 inch)
doesn't have liveview
not so great battery (290 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse mode
75
manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
above average high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Sony A290 Vlogging features
Sony NEX-5R Vlogging features
9
no video
31
touchscreen functionality
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
lack of microphone socket
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Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-5R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A290 and Sony NEX-5R
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290Sony Alpha NEX-5R
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 Sony Alpha NEX-5R
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2010-06-09 2012-08-29
Physical type Compact SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Bionz Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4592 x 3056 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 3200 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 99
Lens
Lens support Sony/Minolta Alpha Sony E
Available lenses 143 121
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 pounds) 276 grams (0.61 pounds)
Physical dimensions 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 66 78
DXO Color Depth rating 22.6 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.5 13.1
DXO Low light rating 615 910
Other
Battery life 290 photographs 330 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FH50 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Type of storage Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $600 $750