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Sony A290 vs Sony HX1

Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
32
Features
36
Overall
33

Sony A290 vs Sony HX1 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
  • Old Model is Sony A230
Sony HX1
(Full Review)
  • 9MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1440 x 1080 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 544g - 115 x 83 x 92mm
  • Launched April 2009
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Sony A290 vs Sony HX1 Overview

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.

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Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Sony HX1

 A290 HX1 
LaunchedJune 2010April 2009More recent by 14 months

Reasons to pick Sony HX1 over the Sony A290

 HX1 A290 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Sony A290 and Sony HX1

 A290 HX1 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Sony A290 vs Sony HX1 Physical Comparison

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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Sony A290 vs Sony HX1 size comparison

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

Sony A290 vs Sony HX1 top view buttons comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony HX1 Sensor Comparison

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.

Sony A290 vs Sony HX1 sensor size comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony HX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A290 vs Sony HX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A290 Portrait photography advice
Sony HX1 Portrait photography advice
65
you can focus manually
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
no liveview
27
has manual focus
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (9 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.4")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Sony A290 Street photography factors
Sony HX1 Street photography factors
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
50
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is very small (1/2.4")
does not have RAW support
more heavy than competitors (544g)
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Sports Comparison

Sony A290 Sports photography highlights
Sony HX1 Sports photography highlights
55
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
no liveview
low fps (3.0 frames/s)
bad battery pack (290 per charge)
36
amazing zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution low (9MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.4")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony A290
Travel photography with Sony HX1
53
good megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
bad battery pack (290 CIPA)
does not offer selfie friendly display
48
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
very long zoom (560mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competitors (544g)
sensor resolution low (9 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A290 Landscape photography advice
Sony HX1 Landscape photography advice
58
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is small (2.7")
no liveview
bad battery pack (290 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse mode
39
has manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor resolution low (9 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.4")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony A290
Vlogging with Sony HX1
9
no video recording
22
pretty wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
video res low (1440 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone port
more heavy than competitors (544g)
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Sony A290 vs Sony HX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A290 and Sony HX1
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
Class Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2010-06-09 2009-04-22
Body design Compact SLR SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.4"
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 6.104 x 4.578mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 27.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 9 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4592 x 3056 3456 x 2592
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 125
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-560mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/2.8-5.2
Macro focus range - 1cm
Number of lenses 143 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 9.20 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1440x1080
Video format - H.264
Microphone 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 549 gr (1.21 lbs) 544 gr (1.20 lbs)
Dimensions 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") 115 x 83 x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6")
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 shots -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model NP-FH50 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $600 $47,999