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Sony A290 vs Sony HX400V

Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V front
Portability
62
Imaging
45
Features
60
Overall
51

Sony A290 vs Sony HX400V 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
  • Released June 2010
  • Replaced the Sony A230
Sony HX400V
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F2.8-6.3) lens
  • 660g - 130 x 93 x 103mm
  • Released February 2014
  • Previous Model is Sony HX300
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Sony A290 vs Sony HX400V Overview

Let's look closer at the Sony A290 vs Sony HX400V, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are designed by Sony. There exists a sizeable gap between the resolutions of the A290 (14MP) and HX400V (20MP) and the A290 (APS-C) and HX400V (1/2.3") feature different sensor size.

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The A290 was manufactured 4 years earlier than the HX400V which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony HX400V being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before going straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple view of how the A290 scores vs the HX400V in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Sony HX400V

 A290 HX400V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX400V over the Sony A290

 HX400V A290 
ReleasedFebruary 2014June 2010Newer by 44 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Sony A290 and Sony HX400V

 A290 HX400V 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Sony A290 vs Sony HX400V Physical Comparison

If you're going to travel with your camera, you will need to think about its weight and proportions. The Sony A290 provides exterior dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") along with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs) whilst the Sony HX400V has measurements of 130mm x 93mm x 103mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 4.1") having a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs).

Check the Sony A290 vs Sony HX400V in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you choose at that moment. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the A290 against the HX400V.

Sony A290 vs Sony HX400V size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A290 and HX400V is 66 and 62 respectively.

Sony A290 vs Sony HX400V top view buttons comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony HX400V Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be hard to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions just by checking specifications. The picture underneath should give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the A290 and HX400V.

To sum up, each of these cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The A290 due to its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field less difficult and the Sony HX400V will give more detail due to its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop images somewhat more aggressively. The more aged A290 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Sony A290 vs Sony HX400V sensor size comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony HX400V Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A290 vs Sony HX400V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A290 Portrait photography details
Sony HX400V Portrait photography details
65
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect focus
exports RAW formats
no liveview feature
51
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
provides face detection focusing
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Sony A290 Street photography factors
Sony HX400V Street photography factors
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no moving screen
50
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
heavier than competition in class (660g)
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Sports Comparison

Sony A290 Sports photography info
Sony HX400V Sports photography info
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
low battery power (290 shots)
55
long zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony A290 as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX400V as a Travel photography camera
53
megapixel count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse function
low battery power (290 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
53
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
great zoom (1200mm)
no Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition in class (660g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A290 Landscape photography highlights
Sony HX400V Landscape photography highlights
58
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no liveview feature
low battery power (290 per charge)
does not have Timelapse function
49
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A290 Vlogging factors
Sony HX400V Vlogging factors
9
no video recording
29
reasonably wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with external mic support
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
heavier than competition in class (660 grams)
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Sony A290 vs Sony HX400V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A290 and Sony HX400V
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V
General Information
Company Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V
Type Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2010-06-09 2014-02-12
Physical type Compact SLR SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 14 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4592 x 3056 5184 x 3888
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-1200mm (50.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/2.8-6.3
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Number of lenses 143 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 8.50 m (ISO Auto)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Flash Off / Autoflash / Fill-flash / Slow Sync. / Advanced Flash / Rear Sync. / Wireless (with optional compliant flash)
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 549 grams (1.21 pounds) 660 grams (1.46 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 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 images 300 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FH50 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, portrait)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $600 $448