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Sony A290 vs Sony HX7V

Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Sony A290 vs Sony HX7V 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
  • Previous Model is Sony A230
Sony HX7V
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 208g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
  • Introduced July 2011
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Sony A290 vs Sony HX7V Overview

In this write-up, we will be looking at the Sony A290 versus Sony HX7V, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both created by Sony. The resolution of the A290 (14MP) and the HX7V (16MP) is relatively well matched but the A290 (APS-C) and HX7V (1/2.3") come with totally different sensor measurements.

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The A290 was unveiled 13 months prior to the HX7V which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both cameras offer different body type with the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony HX7V being a Compact camera.

Before delving through a thorough comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the A290 matches up vs the HX7V in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Sony HX7V

 A290 HX7V 
Focus manually Dial precise focus

Reasons to pick Sony HX7V over the Sony A290

 HX7V A290 
IntroducedJuly 2011June 2010More recent by 13 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Sony A290 and Sony HX7V

 A290 HX7V 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Sony A290 vs Sony HX7V Physical Comparison

If you're looking to lug around your camera frequently, you'll need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Sony A290 features external 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 HX7V has dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

Check out the Sony A290 versus Sony HX7V in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the A290 compared to the HX7V.

Sony A290 vs Sony HX7V size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the A290 and HX7V is 66 and 92 respectively.

Sony A290 vs Sony HX7V top view buttons comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony HX7V Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very tough to envision the difference between sensor measurements merely by looking at technical specs. The photograph underneath should offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the A290 and HX7V.

As you can tell, both cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The A290 having a bigger sensor will make getting shallower DOF easier and the Sony HX7V will give you greater detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The older A290 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Sony A290 vs Sony HX7V sensor size comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony HX7V Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A290 vs Sony HX7V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony A290
Portrait photography with Sony HX7V
65
has manual focus
decent MP (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
saves RAW files
no liveview feature
30
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony A290
Street photography with Sony HX7V
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no articulating screen
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sony A290 as a Sports photography camera
Sony HX7V as a Sports photography camera
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
no liveview feature
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
low battery (290 shots)
39
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A290 as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX7V as a Travel photography camera
53
decent MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
low battery (290 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
67
megapixel count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
very long zoom (250mm)
missing Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A290 Landscape photography details
Sony HX7V Landscape photography details
58
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no liveview feature
low battery (290 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse mode
42
pretty wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not available
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A290 Vlogging advice
Sony HX7V Vlogging advice
9
can't record video
32
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing mic support
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Sony A290 vs Sony HX7V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A290 and Sony HX7V
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V
Type Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2010-06-09 2011-07-19
Physical type Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz BIONZ
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 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
Peak resolution 4592 x 3056 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
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 - 25-250mm (10.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Total lenses 143 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - XtraFine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 4.80 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
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 549g (1.21 pounds) 208g (0.46 pounds)
Dimensions 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 photographs -
Battery style 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 recording
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
Card slots One One
Launch cost $600 $499