Sony A290 vs Sony HX1

In this article, we will be analyzing the Sony A290 versus Sony HX1, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are created by Sony. There exists a large gap among the image resolutions of the A290 (14MP) and HX1 (9MP) and the A290 (APS-C) and HX1 (1/2.4") enjoy different sensor measurements.

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The A290 was released 14 months later than the HX1 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony HX1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go through a detailed comparison, below is a quick summary of how the A290 matches up against the HX1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Following is a preview of the gallery images for Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1. The complete galleries are available at Sony A290 Gallery & Sony HX1 Gallery.

If you're going to lug around your camera regularly, you are going to need to think about its weight and measurements. The Sony A290 enjoys external measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") and a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs) and the Sony HX1 has proportions of 115mm x 83mm x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6") with a weight of 544 grams (1.20 lbs).

Check out the Sony A290 versus Sony HX1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have during that time. The following is the front view size comparison of the A290 against the HX1.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A290 and HX1 is 66 and 67 respectively.

Typically, it can be difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor measurements merely by looking through specs. The graphic here will offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the A290 and HX1.

All in all, each of the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The A290 featuring a bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF less difficult and the Sony A290 will provide you with more detail as a result of its extra 5MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The younger A290 provides an advantage with regard to sensor technology.