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Sony A290 vs Sony RX10 IV

Portability
66 Imaging
54 Features
47 Overall
51
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 IV front
Portability
52 Imaging
53 Features
82 Overall
64

Sony A290 vs Sony RX10 IV Key Specs

Sony A290
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Introduced June 2010
  • Succeeded the Sony A230
Sony RX10 IV
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-600mm (F2.4-4.0) lens
  • 1095g - 133 x 94 x 145mm
  • Announced September 2017
  • Superseded the Sony RX10 III
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Sony A290 vs Sony RX10 IV Overview

Below, we are evaluating the Sony A290 vs Sony RX10 IV, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Large Sensor Superzoom and both of them are designed by Sony. There is a significant difference among the sensor resolutions of the A290 (14MP) and RX10 IV (20MP) and the A290 (APS-C) and RX10 IV (1") feature totally different sensor sizing.

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The A290 was launched 8 years before the RX10 IV which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony RX10 IV being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise summary of how the A290 grades against the RX10 IV in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Sony RX10 IV

		

		

			
 A290 RX10 IV 
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Sony RX10 IV over the Sony A290

		

		

			
 RX10 IV A290 
AnnouncedSeptember 2017June 2010Newer by 88 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1440k230kClearer display (+1210k dot)
Touch friendly display  Easily navigate
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Sony A290 and Sony RX10 IV

		

		

			
 A290 RX10 IV 
Manual focus  Very precise focusing
Selfie screen  Neither contains selfie screen
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Sony A290 vs Sony RX10 IV Physical Comparison

		

		

			
If you're intending to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Sony A290 has got outer measurements 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 RX10 IV has dimensions of 133mm x 94mm x 145mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 5.7") with a weight of 1095 grams (2.41 lbs).
Compare the Sony A290 vs Sony RX10 IV in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you use during that time. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the A290 against the RX10 IV.
Sony A290 vs Sony RX10 IV size comparison
Using size and weight, the portability rating of the A290 and RX10 IV is 66 and 52 respectively.
Sony A290 vs Sony RX10 IV top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Sony A290 vs Sony RX10 IV Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
Usually, it is very tough to see the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by viewing a spec sheet. The pic here should give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the A290 and RX10 IV.
Clearly, both the cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The A290 because of its larger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF easier and the Sony RX10 IV will provide you with greater detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop images somewhat more aggressively. The more aged A290 will be behind in sensor innovation.
	
			Sony A290 vs Sony RX10 IV sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Sony A290 vs Sony RX10 IV Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Sony A290 vs Sony RX10 IV Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Sony A290 Portrait photography highlights
Sony RX10 IV Portrait photography highlights
65
 focusing manually
 good megapixels (14 megapixels)
 sensor size is good (APS-C)
 comes with face detect focusing
 delivers RAW formats
 doesn't have liveview
71
 focusing manually
 above average flash sync (1/2,000 seconds)
 good  resolution (20MP)
 decent sensor size (1")
 comes with face detection focus
 exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison
Sony A290 Street photography features
Sony RX10 IV Street photography features
66
 has image stabilization (Sensor based)
 sensor size is good (APS-C)
 delivers RAW formats
 no articulating screen
64
 tilting screen
 image stabilization (Optical)
 decent sensor size (1")
 exports RAW formats
 includes focus by touch
 environment proof
 heavier than competition (1,095g)
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Sports Comparison
Sports photography with Sony A290
Sports photography with Sony RX10 IV
55
 has image stabilization (Sensor based)
 good megapixels (14 megapixels)
 sensor size is good (APS-C)
 has phase detect AF
 doesn't have liveview
 max fps low (3.0 frames/s)
 not so great battery life (290 shots)
76
 long zoom range (24-600mm  25.0 x zoom)
 quiet mode (1/32,000 seconds)
 max fps high (24.0 frames/s)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 good  resolution (20MP)
 decent sensor size (1")
 comes with tracking autofocus
 environment proof
 has phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison
 Sony A290 as a Travel photography camera
 Sony RX10 IV as a Travel photography camera
53
 good megapixels (14 megapixels)
 has built in flash
 no Time Lapse function
 not so great battery life (290 per charge)
 does not contain selfie friendly display
56
 environment proof
 supports bluetooth
 includes focus by touch
 good  resolution (20 megapixels)
 flash built-in
 relatively wide (24mm)
 very long reach (600mm)
 does not have Time Lapse mode
 heavier than competition (1,095g)
 doesn't offer selfie friendly display
 slow maximum aperture (f2.4)
Photography Glossary
Landscape Comparison
Sony A290 Landscape photography details
Sony RX10 IV Landscape photography details
58
 focusing manually
 interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
 has image stabilization (Sensor based)
 good megapixels (14 megapixels)
 sensor size is good (APS-C)
 delivers RAW formats
 small screen (2.7 inches)
 doesn't have liveview
 not so great battery life (290 CIPA)
 no Time Lapse function
62
 focusing manually
 relatively wide (24mm)
 screen size is good (3 inches)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 good  resolution (20 megapixels)
 decent sensor size (1")
 exports RAW formats
 environment proof
 can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
 slow maximum aperture (f2.4)
 does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison
Sony A290 Vlogging information
Sony RX10 IV Vlogging information
9
 can't record video
29
 relatively wide (24mm)
 has touchscreen
 image stabilization (Optical)
 comes with face detection focus
 video resolution high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
 has external mic socket
 slow maximum aperture (f2.4)
 doesn't offer selfie friendly display
 heavier than competition (1,095 grams)
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Sony A290 vs Sony RX10 IV Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A290 and Sony RX10 IV
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 IV
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 IV
Category Entry-Level DSLR Large Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2010-06-09 2017-09-12
Physical type Compact SLR SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip Bionz Bionz X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1"
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter    
Aspect ratio 3:2 and  16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9
Highest resolution 4592 x 3056 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW photos    
Min boosted ISO - 64
Autofocusing
Focus manually    
Autofocus touch    
Continuous autofocus    
Single autofocus    
Tracking autofocus    
Selective autofocus    
Autofocus center weighted    
Autofocus multi area    
Autofocus live view    
Face detect focus    
Contract detect focus    
Phase detect focus    
Total focus points 9 315
Lens
Lens support Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-600mm (25.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/2.4-4.0
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Amount of lenses 143 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 2.7
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 1,440k dots
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch friendly    
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x 0.7x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Highest quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per second 24.0 frames per second
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manual mode    
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance    
Image stabilization    
Inbuilt flash    
Flash distance 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.80 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, fill-flash, slow sync, rear sync, off
External flash    
AE bracketing    
White balance bracketing    
Highest flash synchronize 1/160 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment    
Average    
Spot    
Partial    
AF area    
Center weighted    
Video features
Video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p) ,1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution None 3840x2160
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic port    
Headphone port    
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth    
NFC    
HDMI    
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing    
Water proofing    
Dust proofing    
Shock proofing    
Crush proofing    
Freeze proofing    
Weight 549 gr (1.21 lb) 1095 gr (2.41 lb)
Dimensions 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") 133 x 94 x 145mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 5.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 66 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.5 not tested
DXO Low light rating 615 not tested
Other
Battery life 290 photographs 400 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FH50 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, continuous)
Time lapse shooting    
Type of storage Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $600 $1,698