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Sony A290 vs Sony S930

Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S930 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Sony A290 vs Sony S930 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
  • Launched June 2010
  • Previous Model is Sony A230
Sony S930
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.4" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 320 x 240 video
  • 38-108mm (F2.9-5.4) lens
  • 167g - 90 x 61 x 26mm
  • Revealed January 2009
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Sony A290 vs Sony S930 Overview

On this page, we are reviewing the Sony A290 versus Sony S930, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are built by Sony. There is a noticeable difference among the image resolutions of the A290 (14MP) and S930 (10MP) and the A290 (APS-C) and S930 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor sizes.

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The A290 was manufactured 18 months after the S930 making them a generation away from each other. Both cameras have different body design with the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony S930 being a Compact camera.

Before we go into a more detailed comparison, here is a concise summary of how the A290 matches up against the S930 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Sony S930

 A290 S930 
RevealedJune 2010January 2009Newer by 18 months
Display dimensions2.7"2.4"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution230k112kCrisper display (+118k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S930 over the Sony A290

 S930 A290 

Common features in the Sony A290 and Sony S930

 A290 S930 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Sony A290 vs Sony S930 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera regularly, you will need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Sony A290 provides physical dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") and a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs) while the Sony S930 has proportions of 90mm x 61mm x 26mm (3.5" x 2.4" x 1.0") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Contrast the Sony A290 versus Sony S930 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you use at that moment. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the A290 and the S930.

Sony A290 vs Sony S930 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the A290 and S930 is 66 and 94 respectively.

Sony A290 vs Sony S930 top view buttons comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony S930 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is hard to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions just by seeing technical specs. The picture here may give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the A290 and S930.

As you can tell, the two cameras have different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The A290 because of its larger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field simpler and the Sony A290 will show greater detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop images a bit more aggressively. The more recent A290 will have an edge in sensor technology.

Sony A290 vs Sony S930 sensor size comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony S930 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A290 vs Sony S930 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A290 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony S930 as a Portrait photography camera
65
you can focus manually
MP count good (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
no liveview feature
26
you can focus manually
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
low MP (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sony A290 as a Street photography camera
Sony S930 as a Street photography camera
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is fixed
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sony A290 as a Sports photography camera
Sony S930 as a Sports photography camera
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
low battery pack (290 CIPA)
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A290 Travel photography factors
Sony S930 Travel photography factors
53
MP count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low battery pack (290 shots)
does not feature selfie friendly display
50
flash built-in
no Timelapse mode
low MP (10 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow max aperture (f2.9)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony A290
Landscape photography with Sony S930
58
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no liveview feature
low battery pack (290 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
31
you can focus manually
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow max aperture (f2.9)
screen is small (2.4 inch)
manual exposure not available
low MP (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A290 as a Vlogging camera
Sony S930 as a Vlogging camera
9
can't record video
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow max aperture (f2.9)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
low res video (320 x 240 resolution)
no external microphone support
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Sony A290 vs Sony S930 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A290 and Sony S930
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S930
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S930
Category Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2010-06-09 2009-01-08
Physical type Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4592 x 3056 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens focal range - 38-108mm (2.8x)
Maximum aperture - f/2.9-5.4
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Number of lenses 143 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inch 2.4 inch
Resolution of display 230k dots 112k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 1/8s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 3.00 m (Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, Forced Flash, Slow Syncro, No Flash
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 320x240
Video format - Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) none
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 549 gr (1.21 lbs) 167 gr (0.37 lbs)
Physical dimensions 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") 90 x 61 x 26mm (3.5" x 2.4" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 pictures -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery model NP-FH50 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo / PRo-HG Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail price $600 $219