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Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-7

Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-7 front
Portability
84
Imaging
64
Features
71
Overall
66

Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-7 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
  • Revealed June 2010
  • Earlier Model is Sony A230
Sony NEX-7
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 400g - 120 x 67 x 43mm
  • Released December 2011
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Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-7 Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Sony A290 and Sony NEX-7, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Advanced Mirrorless and they are both sold by Sony. There exists a considerable gap among the image resolutions of the A290 (14MP) and NEX-7 (24MP) but they come with the same exact sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The A290 was revealed 18 months earlier than the NEX-7 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony NEX-7 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go through a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise overview of how the A290 matches up versus the NEX-7 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Sony NEX-7

 A290 NEX-7 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-7 over the Sony A290

 NEX-7 A290 
ReleasedDecember 2011June 2010More recent by 18 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Sony A290 and Sony NEX-7

 A290 NEX-7 
Focus manually More exact focus
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-7 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to lug around your camera, you will have to think about its weight and measurements. The Sony A290 provides physical measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") and a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs) while the Sony NEX-7 has proportions of 120mm x 67mm x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7") along with a weight of 400 grams (0.88 lbs).

Take a look at the Sony A290 and Sony NEX-7 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you choose at that time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the A290 compared to the NEX-7.

Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-7 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A290 and NEX-7 is 66 and 84 respectively.

Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-7 top view buttons comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-7 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is difficult to envision the contrast in sensor measurements just by looking through specifications. The visual here may offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the A290 and NEX-7.

To sum up, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Sony NEX-7 to provide you with extra detail because of its extra 10MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos a little more aggressively. The older A290 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-7 sensor size comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-7 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony A290
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-7
65
manual focus
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect focus
saves RAW files
no liveview
78
has manual focus
decent MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony A290 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-7 as a Street photography camera
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no articulating screen
76
has a tilting screen
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Sony A290 Sports photography details
Sony NEX-7 Sports photography details
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
no liveview
max fps very slow (3.0 frames/s)
terrible battery (290 CIPA)
62
decent MP (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
great battery life (430 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony A290 Travel photography advice
Sony NEX-7 Travel photography advice
53
MP count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
terrible battery (290 per charge)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
70
great battery life (430 per charge)
decent MP (24MP)
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A290 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-7 as a Landscape photography camera
58
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
tiny screen (2.7")
no liveview
terrible battery (290 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse recording
72
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
decent MP (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
great battery life (430 shots)
does not have image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A290 as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-7 as a Vlogging camera
9
no video recording
35
includes face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has mic port
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
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Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A290 and Sony NEX-7
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290Sony Alpha NEX-7
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 Sony Alpha NEX-7
Class Entry-Level DSLR Advanced Mirrorless
Revealed 2010-06-09 2011-12-13
Body design Compact SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
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 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4592 x 3056 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 3200 16000
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mount type Sony/Minolta Alpha Sony E
Available lenses 143 121
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x 0.73x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 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, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
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 549g (1.21 lb) 400g (0.88 lb)
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 rating 66 81
DXO Color Depth rating 22.6 24.1
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.5 13.4
DXO Low light rating 615 1016
Other
Battery life 290 shots 430 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FH50 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 or 5 images))
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $600 $699