Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-7
66 Imaging
54 Features
47 Overall
51
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84 Imaging
63 Features
71 Overall
66
Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-7 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
- Revealed June 2010
- Earlier Model is Sony A230
(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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Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-7 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 & Sony Alpha NEX-7. The full galleries are viewable at Sony A290 Gallery & Sony NEX-7 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Sony NEX-7
A290 | NEX-7 |
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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-7 over the Sony A290
NEX-7 | A290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | December 2011 | ![]() | June 2010 | More recent by 18 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer 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.
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.
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Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A290 and NEX-7 is 66 and 84 respectively.
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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.
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Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-7 Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-7 Specifications
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 | Sony 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 |