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Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-6

Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-6 front
Portability
85
Imaging
58
Features
76
Overall
65

Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-6 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
  • Announced June 2010
  • Previous Model is Sony A230
Sony NEX-6
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 345g - 120 x 67 x 43mm
  • Announced March 2013
  • Replacement is Sony A6000
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Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-6 Overview

The following is a in depth analysis of the Sony A290 versus Sony NEX-6, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Advanced Mirrorless and both are created by Sony. The resolution of the A290 (14MP) and the NEX-6 (16MP) is fairly close and both cameras have the identical sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The A290 was launched 3 years prior to the NEX-6 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony NEX-6 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting into a detailed comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the A290 scores vs the NEX-6 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Sony NEX-6

 A290 NEX-6 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-6 over the Sony A290

 NEX-6 A290 
AnnouncedMarch 2013June 2010Newer by 34 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Sony A290 and Sony NEX-6

 A290 NEX-6 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-6 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to travel with your camera, you have to consider its weight and size. The Sony A290 has outside measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-6 has specifications of 120mm x 67mm x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 345 grams (0.76 lbs).

Examine the Sony A290 versus Sony NEX-6 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you use during that time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the A290 compared to the NEX-6.

Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-6 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the A290 and NEX-6 is 66 and 85 respectively.

Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-6 top view buttons comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-6 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its hard to see the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by viewing a spec sheet. The image here may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the A290 and NEX-6.

Clearly, both the cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same resolution. You should anticipate the Sony NEX-6 to result in greater detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos way more aggressively. The more aged A290 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-6 sensor size comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-6 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-6 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony A290
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-6
65
you can focus manually
MP count decent (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect focus
exports RAW formats
no liveview feature
74
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony A290 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-6 as a Street photography camera
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
78
has a tilting screen
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition in class (345g)
great high ISO (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sony A290 Sports photography advice
Sony NEX-6 Sports photography advice
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
low battery power (290 per charge)
66
megapixel count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Sony A290 Travel photography highlights
Sony NEX-6 Travel photography highlights
53
MP count decent (14MP)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
low battery power (290 shots)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
75
lighter than competition in class (345 grams)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A290 Landscape photography advice
Sony NEX-6 Landscape photography advice
58
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no liveview feature
low battery power (290 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse recording
75
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
great high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A290 Vlogging details
Sony NEX-6 Vlogging details
9
no video
32
features face detection autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (345g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have external microphone support
Photography Glossary

Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-6 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A290 and Sony NEX-6
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290Sony Alpha NEX-6
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 Sony Alpha NEX-6
Class Entry-Level DSLR Advanced Mirrorless
Announced 2010-06-09 2013-03-25
Physical type Compact SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4592 x 3056 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 3200 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 99
Lens
Lens mount Sony/Minolta Alpha Sony E
Number of lenses 143 121
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech - Xtra Fine LCD with Tilt Up 90� and Down 45�
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x 0.73x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 6.00 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, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 549 gr (1.21 pounds) 345 gr (0.76 pounds)
Physical dimensions 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") 120 x 67 x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 66 78
DXO Color Depth score 22.6 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 11.5 13.1
DXO Low light score 615 1018
Other
Battery life 290 photographs 360 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FH50 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Storage type Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $600 $365