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Sony A290 vs Sony RX1R II

Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R II front
Portability
78
Imaging
76
Features
65
Overall
71

Sony A290 vs Sony RX1R II 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
  • Introduced June 2010
  • Previous Model is Sony A230
Sony RX1R II
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 50 - 25600 (Bump to 102400)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 35mm (F2.0) lens
  • 507g - 113 x 65 x 72mm
  • Revealed October 2015
  • Superseded the Sony RX1R
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Sony A290 vs Sony RX1R II Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Sony A290 vs Sony RX1R II, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact and they are both offered by Sony. There is a significant difference among the resolutions of the A290 (14MP) and RX1R II (42MP) and the A290 (APS-C) and RX1R II (Full frame) come with totally different sensor size.

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The A290 was revealed 6 years prior to the RX1R II which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony RX1R II being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a quick view of how the A290 scores versus the RX1R II in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Sony RX1R II

 A290 RX1R II 

Reasons to pick Sony RX1R II over the Sony A290

 RX1R II A290 
RevealedOctober 2015June 2010More modern by 65 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1229k230kSharper screen (+999k dot)

Common features in the Sony A290 and Sony RX1R II

 A290 RX1R II 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Sony A290 vs Sony RX1R II Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera often, you will need to consider its weight and size. The Sony A290 enjoys outer measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") and a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs) and the Sony RX1R II has specifications of 113mm x 65mm x 72mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8") along with a weight of 507 grams (1.12 lbs).

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Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the A290 versus the RX1R II.

Sony A290 vs Sony RX1R II size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the A290 and RX1R II is 66 and 78 respectively.

Sony A290 vs Sony RX1R II top view buttons comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony RX1R II Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be difficult to envision the contrast in sensor sizes simply by going through a spec sheet. The pic here will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the A290 and RX1R II.

As you can see, each of the cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The A290 with its smaller sensor will make getting shallow depth of field harder and the Sony RX1R II will provide greater detail because of its extra 28MP. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs much more aggressively. The more aged A290 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Sony A290 vs Sony RX1R II sensor size comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony RX1R II Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A290 vs Sony RX1R II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A290 Portrait photography features
Sony RX1R II Portrait photography features
65
manual focus
megapixel count good (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
does not have liveview
85
manual focus
above average flash sync speed (1/4,000s)
excellent megapixels (42MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
features face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony A290
Street photography with Sony RX1R II
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
73
screen tilts
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
good high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
heavier than average (507g)
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Sports Comparison

Sony A290 Sports photography information
Sony RX1R II Sports photography information
55
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
low battery pack (290 CIPA)
63
excellent megapixels (42MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
features tracking focus
supports phase detect autofocus
can't change focal length (35mm)
slow frames per second (5.0 fps)
no image stabilization
bad battery life (220 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Sony A290 Travel photography factors
Sony RX1R II Travel photography factors
53
megapixel count good (14MP)
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
low battery pack (290 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
59
excellent megapixels (42 megapixels)
good max aperture (f2.0)
lack of Time Lapse mode
bad battery life (220 shots)
heavier than average (507 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A290 Landscape photography info
Sony RX1R II Landscape photography info
58
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
does not have liveview
low battery pack (290 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse function
68
manual focus
good max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3 inch)
excellent megapixels (42MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
no low pass filter
good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (35mm)
no image stabilization
bad battery life (220 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A290 Vlogging features
Sony RX1R II Vlogging features
9
no video recording
34
good max aperture (f2.0)
features face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with mic jack
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
heavier than average (507g)
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Sony A290 vs Sony RX1R II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A290 and Sony RX1R II
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R II
General Information
Company Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R II
Class Entry-Level DSLR Large Sensor Compact
Introduced 2010-06-09 2015-10-13
Body design Compact SLR Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Bionz BIONZ X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 42 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4592 x 3056 7952 x 5304
Maximum native ISO 3200 25600
Maximum enhanced ISO - 102400
Min native ISO 100 50
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mount Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens focal range - 35mm (1x)
Maximum aperture - f/2.0
Macro focus range - 14cm
Available lenses 143 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 1,229 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x 0.74x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 10.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Off, auto, fill flash, slow sync, rear sync, wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 secs 1/4000 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (120p, 30p)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 549 grams (1.21 lbs) 507 grams (1.12 lbs)
Dimensions 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") 113 x 65 x 72mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 66 97
DXO Color Depth score 22.6 25.8
DXO Dynamic range score 11.5 13.9
DXO Low light score 615 3204
Other
Battery life 290 images 220 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FH50 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2,5, 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $600 $3,300