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Sony A290 vs Sony T900

Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T900 front
Portability
96
Imaging
34
Features
30
Overall
32

Sony A290 vs Sony T900 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
  • Old Model is Sony A230
Sony T900
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-10.0) lens
  • 143g - 98 x 58 x 16mm
  • Launched February 2009
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Sony A290 vs Sony T900 Overview

Its time to look a bit more in depth at the Sony A290 vs Sony T900, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Ultracompact and they are both designed by Sony. The resolution of the A290 (14MP) and the T900 (12MP) is relatively close but the A290 (APS-C) and T900 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor sizes.

Photography Glossary

The A290 was introduced 16 months later than the T900 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony T900 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before getting through a detailed comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the A290 grades vs the T900 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Sony T900

 A290 T900 
LaunchedJune 2010February 2009Fresher by 16 months

Reasons to pick Sony T900 over the Sony A290

 T900 A290 
Screen sizing3.5"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.8")
Screen resolution922k230kClearer screen (+692k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Sony A290 and Sony T900

 A290 T900 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Sony A290 vs Sony T900 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera frequently, you need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Sony A290 has 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 T900 has dimensions of 98mm x 58mm x 16mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.6") with a weight of 143 grams (0.32 lbs).

Examine the Sony A290 vs Sony T900 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you choose at the time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the A290 compared to the T900.

Sony A290 vs Sony T900 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A290 and T900 is 66 and 96 respectively.

Sony A290 vs Sony T900 top view buttons comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony T900 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizing merely by looking through technical specs. The graphic here will give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the A290 and T900.

As you can tell, each of the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The A290 with its bigger sensor will make getting bokeh less difficult and the Sony A290 will provide you with greater detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will let you crop shots a little more aggressively. The newer A290 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Sony A290 vs Sony T900 sensor size comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony T900 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A290 vs Sony T900 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A290 Portrait photography features
Sony T900 Portrait photography features
65
has manual focus
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
no liveview feature
27
has manual focus
no manual mode
no external flash support
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sony A290 Street photography information
Sony T900 Street photography information
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
fixed screen
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sony A290 Sports photography features
Sony T900 Sports photography features
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
max frames per second very slow (3.0 fps)
bad battery life (290 shots)
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,000s)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony A290
Travel photography with Sony T900
53
megapixel count good (14MP)
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
bad battery life (290 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A290 Landscape photography details
Sony T900 Landscape photography details
58
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no liveview feature
bad battery life (290 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
36
has manual focus
screen larger than average (3.5 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual mode
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A290 Vlogging advice
Sony T900 Vlogging advice
9
can't shoot video
28
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic support
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Sony A290 vs Sony T900 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A290 and Sony T900
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T900
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T900
Category Entry-Level DSLR Ultracompact
Introduced 2010-06-09 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact SLR Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4592 x 3056 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens focal range - 35-140mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.5-10.0
Total lenses 143 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 3.5 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 2s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1000s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 2.90 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1280x720
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 549g (1.21 pounds) 143g (0.32 pounds)
Dimensions 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") 98 x 58 x 16mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.6")
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 photos -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NP-FH50 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $600 $300