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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
54
Features
82
Overall
65

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  • Superseded the Sony RX10 III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
72
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)
77
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
57
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)
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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
63
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