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Sony A290 vs Sony T99

Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T99 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
27
Overall
33

Sony A290 vs Sony T99 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
  • Older Model is Sony A230
Sony T99
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.5-4.6) lens
  • 121g - 93 x 56 x 17mm
  • Released July 2010
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Sony A290 vs Sony T99 Overview

Following is a extensive comparison of the Sony A290 and Sony T99, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Ultracompact and they are both built by Sony. The image resolution of the A290 (14MP) and the T99 (14MP) is very close but the A290 (APS-C) and T99 (1/2.3") have different sensor size.

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The A290 was announced very close to the T99 and they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony T99 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief summary of how the A290 scores vs the T99 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Sony T99

 A290 T99 
Manually focus Dial exact focus

Reasons to pick Sony T99 over the Sony A290

 T99 A290 
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Sony A290 and Sony T99

 A290 T99 
ReleasedJune 2010July 2010Same age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Sony A290 vs Sony T99 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Sony A290 comes with outside dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") having a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs) while the Sony T99 has measurements of 93mm x 56mm x 17mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") having a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs).

Examine the Sony A290 and Sony T99 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the A290 and the T99.

Sony A290 vs Sony T99 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the A290 and T99 is 66 and 96 respectively.

Sony A290 vs Sony T99 top view buttons comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony T99 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is tough to picture the contrast in sensor sizes only by looking through specs. The image below should give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the A290 and T99.

All in all, both the cameras feature the identical MP but different sensor sizes. The A290 contains the larger sensor which will make achieving bokeh simpler.

Sony A290 vs Sony T99 sensor size comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony T99 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A290 vs Sony T99 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A290 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony T99 as a Portrait photography camera
65
focusing manually
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection focus
supports RAW formats
no liveview
28
good resolution (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sony A290 as a Street photography camera
Sony T99 as a Street photography camera
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
57
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sony A290 Sports photography highlights
Sony T99 Sports photography highlights
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
no liveview
max fps very slow (3.0 frames/s)
not so great battery pack (290 per charge)
35
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,250s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony A290 Travel photography information
Sony T99 Travel photography information
53
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
not so great battery pack (290 per charge)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
65
good resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
no Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A290 Landscape photography info
Sony T99 Landscape photography info
58
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
small screen (2.7 inch)
no liveview
not so great battery pack (290 shots)
does not have Timelapse recording
42
quite wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony A290
Vlogging with Sony T99
9
no video recording
31
quite wide (25mm)
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone port
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Sony A290 vs Sony T99 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A290 and Sony T99
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T99
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T99
Class Entry-Level DSLR Ultracompact
Launched 2010-06-09 2010-07-08
Body design Compact SLR Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip Bionz 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 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4592 x 3056 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-100mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.5-4.6
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Amount of lenses 143 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 2 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1250 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 4.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red eye, Slow syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1280x720
Video file format - MPEG-4
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 549g (1.21 lbs) 121g (0.27 lbs)
Physical dimensions 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") 93 x 56 x 17mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
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 images -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID NP-FH50 NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, portrait1, portrait2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC SD/ SDHC/ SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $600 $179