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Sony A290 vs Sony HX350

Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX350 front
Portability
62
Imaging
46
Features
51
Overall
48

Sony A290 vs Sony HX350 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
  • Succeeded the Sony A230
Sony HX350
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Bump to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F2.8-6.3) lens
  • 652g - 130 x 93 x 103mm
  • Launched December 2016
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Sony A290 vs Sony HX350 Overview

The following is a thorough analysis of the Sony A290 and Sony HX350, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both manufactured by Sony. There exists a sizable gap between the resolutions of the A290 (14MP) and HX350 (20MP) and the A290 (APS-C) and HX350 (1/2.3") come with totally different sensor dimensions.

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The A290 was introduced 7 years prior to the HX350 which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony HX350 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before diving through a detailed comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the A290 grades against the HX350 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Sony HX350

 A290 HX350 

Reasons to pick Sony HX350 over the Sony A290

 HX350 A290 
LaunchedDecember 2016June 2010Newer by 79 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution922k230kSharper display (+692k dot)

Common features in the Sony A290 and Sony HX350

 A290 HX350 
Manual focus More exact focus
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Sony A290 vs Sony HX350 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to travel with your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Sony A290 enjoys outer dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") having a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs) and the Sony HX350 has dimensions of 130mm x 93mm x 103mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 4.1") and a weight of 652 grams (1.44 lbs).

Check out the Sony A290 and Sony HX350 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you select during that time. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the A290 and the HX350.

Sony A290 vs Sony HX350 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A290 and HX350 is 66 and 62 respectively.

Sony A290 vs Sony HX350 top view buttons comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony HX350 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to see the difference between sensor dimensions purely by reading through specifications. The pic below will give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the A290 and HX350.

Plainly, both the cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The A290 using its larger sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field simpler and the Sony HX350 will give greater detail using its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images far more aggressively. The more aged A290 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Sony A290 vs Sony HX350 sensor size comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony HX350 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A290 vs Sony HX350 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A290 Portrait photography information
Sony HX350 Portrait photography information
65
has manual focus
resolution is good (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with face detection focus
exports RAW files
no liveview feature
47
manual focus
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
comes with face detect focusing
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sony A290 Street photography details
Sony HX350 Street photography details
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen does not articulate
50
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
heavier than competition in class (652g)
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Sports Comparison

Sony A290 Sports photography highlights
Sony HX350 Sports photography highlights
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
low frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
low battery power (290 CIPA)
53
incredible zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony A290 Travel photography information
Sony HX350 Travel photography information
53
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
low battery power (290 CIPA)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
54
megapixel count decent (20MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
long zoom (1200mm)
no Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition in class (652 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A290 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony HX350 as a Landscape photography camera
58
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no liveview feature
low battery power (290 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse mode
49
manual focus
pretty wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A290 Vlogging information
Sony HX350 Vlogging information
9
can't shoot video
27
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no mic support
heavier than competition in class (652g)
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Sony A290 vs Sony HX350 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A290 and Sony HX350
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX350
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX350
Category Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2010-06-09 2016-12-20
Physical type Compact SLR SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz BIONZ X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
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 14MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4592 x 3056 5184 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Highest boosted ISO - 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-1200mm (50.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.8-6.3
Macro focus range - 1cm
Total lenses 143 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 202k dots
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 8.50 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Off, auto, fill, slow sync, advanced, rear sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 549g (1.21 pounds) 652g (1.44 pounds)
Dimensions 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") 130 x 93 x 103mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 4.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 300 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FH50 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, portrait)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC + Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $600 -