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Sony A290 vs Sony TX30

Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX30 front
Portability
96
Imaging
42
Features
43
Overall
42

Sony A290 vs Sony TX30 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
  • Released June 2010
  • Old Model is Sony A230
Sony TX30
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.5-4.8) lens
  • 141g - 96 x 59 x 15mm
  • Launched July 2013
Photography Glossary

Sony A290 vs Sony TX30 Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Sony A290 vs Sony TX30, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Ultracompact and both are created by Sony. There is a considerable difference between the sensor resolutions of the A290 (14MP) and TX30 (18MP) and the A290 (APS-C) and TX30 (1/2.3") offer different sensor sizing.

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The A290 was launched 4 years earlier than the TX30 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony TX30 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the A290 scores versus the TX30 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Sony TX30

 A290 TX30 

Reasons to pick Sony TX30 over the Sony A290

 TX30 A290 
LaunchedJuly 2013June 2010More modern by 38 months
Screen dimensions3.3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.6")
Screen resolution1229k230kClearer screen (+999k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Sony A290 and Sony TX30

 A290 TX30 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Sony A290 vs Sony TX30 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera often, you will have to take into account its weight and volume. The Sony A290 offers external dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") having a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs) whilst the Sony TX30 has sizing of 96mm x 59mm x 15mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.6") along with a weight of 141 grams (0.31 lbs).

See the Sony A290 vs Sony TX30 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you choose during that time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the A290 and the TX30.

Sony A290 vs Sony TX30 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the A290 and TX30 is 66 and 96 respectively.

Sony A290 vs Sony TX30 top view buttons comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony TX30 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be difficult to picture the contrast between sensor sizes simply by reviewing specifications. The image here may give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the A290 and TX30.

To sum up, both of the cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The A290 because of its bigger sensor is going to make getting bokeh less difficult and the Sony TX30 will deliver extra detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more aged A290 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Sony A290 vs Sony TX30 sensor size comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony TX30 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A290 vs Sony TX30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony A290
Portrait photography with Sony TX30
65
manual focus
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
does not have liveview
38
manual focus
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony A290 as a Street photography camera
Sony TX30 as a Street photography camera
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is fixed
64
built in image stabilization (Optical)
weather sealing
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sony A290 as a Sports photography camera
Sony TX30 as a Sports photography camera
55
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
bad battery (290 CIPA)
46
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
weather sealing
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A290 Travel photography info
Sony TX30 Travel photography info
53
megapixel count good (14MP)
flash built-in
no Time Lapse recording
bad battery (290 CIPA)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
69
weather sealing
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (26mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A290 Landscape photography factors
Sony TX30 Landscape photography factors
58
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is small (2.7 inches)
does not have liveview
bad battery (290 shots)
no Time Lapse recording
51
manual focus
pretty wide (26mm)
pretty good screen size (3.3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (18MP)
weather sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony A290
Vlogging with Sony TX30
9
no video recording
34
pretty wide (26mm)
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic jack
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Sony A290 vs Sony TX30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A290 and Sony TX30
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX30
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX30
Category Entry-Level DSLR Ultracompact
Released 2010-06-09 2013-07-26
Body design Compact SLR Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Bionz -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 18MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 -
Max resolution 4592 x 3056 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens focal range - 26-130mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.5-4.8
Available lenses 143 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 3.3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 1,229 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - OLED monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 10.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless -
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60, 50 fps)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 549 grams (1.21 lbs) 141 grams (0.31 lbs)
Physical dimensions 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") 96 x 59 x 15mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 photographs -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NP-FH50 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) -
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC -
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $600 $230