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Sony A290 vs Sony H90

Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H90 front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Sony A290 vs Sony H90 Key Specs

Sony A290
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • 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 H90
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 222g - 105 x 60 x 34mm
  • Introduced February 2012
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Sony A290 vs Sony H90 Overview

In this article, we are comparing the Sony A290 versus Sony H90, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are created by Sony. The image resolution of the A290 (14MP) and the H90 (16MP) is fairly comparable but the A290 (APS-C) and H90 (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor size.

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The A290 was revealed 20 months prior to the H90 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony H90 being a Compact camera.

Before going through a more detailed comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the A290 scores against the H90 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Sony H90

 A290 H90 
Manual focus Very accurate focus

Reasons to pick Sony H90 over the Sony A290

 H90 A290 
IntroducedFebruary 2012June 2010Newer by 20 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kSharper display (+231k dot)

Common features in the Sony A290 and Sony H90

 A290 H90 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Sony A290 vs Sony H90 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and proportions. The Sony A290 features exterior measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs) while the Sony H90 has measurements of 105mm x 60mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 222 grams (0.49 lbs).

Check out the Sony A290 versus Sony H90 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the A290 and the H90.

Sony A290 vs Sony H90 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the A290 and H90 is 66 and 91 respectively.

Sony A290 vs Sony H90 top view buttons comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony H90 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to picture the difference in sensor dimensions only by going through specifications. The image below might give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the A290 and H90.

Plainly, both of these cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The A290 having a larger sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field easier and the Sony H90 will provide greater detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos far more aggressively. The more aged A290 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Sony A290 vs Sony H90 sensor size comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony H90 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A290 vs Sony H90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A290 Portrait photography information
Sony H90 Portrait photography information
65
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect focus
saves RAW formats
no liveview
36
good MP (16MP)
supports face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Sony A290 Street photography details
Sony H90 Street photography details
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
fixed screen
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (222g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sony A290 Sports photography highlights
Sony H90 Sports photography highlights
55
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
no liveview
slow fps (3.0 frames per second)
low battery (290 CIPA)
44
long zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
supports tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A290 Travel photography information
Sony H90 Travel photography information
53
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low battery (290 per charge)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
69
lighter than competition in class (222 grams)
good MP (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
long zoom (384mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
does not feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A290 Landscape photography highlights
Sony H90 Landscape photography highlights
58
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no liveview
low battery (290 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
44
decently wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony A290
Vlogging with Sony H90
9
can't record video
32
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
lighter than competition in class (222 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not feature selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic port
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Sony A290 vs Sony H90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A290 and Sony H90
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H90
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H90
Class Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2010-06-09 2012-02-28
Body design Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Bionz BIONZ
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4592 x 3056 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-384mm (16.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range - 5cm
Amount of lenses 143 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dot 461k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - ClearPhoto TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 3.70 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1280x720
Video format - MPEG-4
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 549g (1.21 lbs) 222g (0.49 lbs)
Dimensions 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") 105 x 60 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 66 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.5 not tested
DXO Low light score 615 not tested
Other
Battery life 290 photos 290 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FH50 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $600 $230