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Sony A290 vs Sony WX9

Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX9 front
Portability
99
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Sony A290 vs Sony WX9 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
  • Earlier Model is Sony A230
Sony WX9
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.6-6.3) lens
  • n/ag - 95 x 56 x 20mm
  • Released January 2011
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Sony A290 vs Sony WX9 Overview

In this write-up, we are reviewing the Sony A290 and Sony WX9, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Ultracompact and both of them are designed by Sony. The image resolution of the A290 (14MP) and the WX9 (16MP) is fairly well matched but the A290 (APS-C) and WX9 (1/2.3") use different sensor size.

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The A290 was manufactured 7 months earlier than the WX9 so they are of a similar generation. The two cameras offer different body type with the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony WX9 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before getting through a detailed comparison, below is a brief summary of how the A290 grades versus the WX9 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Sony WX9

 A290 WX9 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing

Reasons to pick Sony WX9 over the Sony A290

 WX9 A290 
ReleasedJanuary 2011June 2010More modern by 7 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Sony A290 and Sony WX9

 A290 WX9 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Sony A290 vs Sony WX9 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera, you're going to have to think about its weight and volume. The Sony A290 provides 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 WX9 has sizing of 95mm x 56mm x 20mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.8") having a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs).

Contrast the Sony A290 and Sony WX9 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have at that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the A290 vs the WX9.

Sony A290 vs Sony WX9 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A290 and WX9 is 66 and 99 respectively.

Sony A290 vs Sony WX9 top view buttons comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony WX9 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be tough to picture the difference between sensor sizes merely by looking at specifications. The pic here will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the A290 and WX9.

To sum up, each of these cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The A290 because of its larger sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF easier and the Sony WX9 will give you greater detail due to its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop images a little more aggressively. The more aged A290 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Sony A290 vs Sony WX9 sensor size comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony WX9 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A290 vs Sony WX9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony A290
Portrait photography with Sony WX9
65
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
no liveview
30
decent megapixels (16MP)
no manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Sony A290 Street photography features
Sony WX9 Street photography features
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no moving screen
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sony A290 as a Sports photography camera
Sony WX9 as a Sports photography camera
55
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
no liveview
max frames per second low (3.0 frames per second)
terrible battery pack (290 CIPA)
39
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony A290 Travel photography advice
Sony WX9 Travel photography advice
53
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
terrible battery pack (290 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
67
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
lack of Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A290 Landscape photography features
Sony WX9 Landscape photography features
58
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no liveview
terrible battery pack (290 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
43
reasonably wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
no manual exposure
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A290 Vlogging features
Sony WX9 Vlogging features
9
can't shoot video
33
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of external microphone port
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Sony A290 vs Sony WX9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A290 and Sony WX9
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX9
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX9
Class Entry-Level DSLR Ultracompact
Introduced 2010-06-09 2011-01-06
Body design Compact SLR Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip Bionz BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4592 x 3056 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-125mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture - f/2.6-6.3
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Amount of lenses 143 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech - XtraFine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 2 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 5.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
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 549 gr (1.21 lb) -
Dimensions 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") 95 x 56 x 20mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.8")
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 photographs -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NP-FH50 NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Storage media Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $600 $188