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Sony A290 vs Sony A33

Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
 
Sony SLT-A33 front
Portability
67
Imaging
54
Features
80
Overall
64

Sony A290 vs Sony A33 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
  • Revealed June 2010
  • Previous Model is Sony A230
Sony A33
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 500g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Launched August 2010
  • Renewed by Sony A35
Photography Glossary

Sony A290 vs Sony A33 Overview

Below, we will be comparing the Sony A290 versus Sony A33, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras and they are both created by Sony. The resolution of the A290 (14MP) and the A33 (14MP) is pretty similar and they use the exact same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The A290 was brought out 2 months earlier than the A33 so they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before delving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a short summary of how the A290 scores against the A33 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Sony A33

 A290 A33 

Reasons to pick Sony A33 over the Sony A290

 A33 A290 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Sony A290 and Sony A33

 A290 A33 
LaunchedJune 2010August 2010Similar age
Manual focus More precise focusing
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Sony A290 vs Sony A33 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Sony A290 has outside measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") and a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs) and the Sony A33 has proportions of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") with a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).

Compare the Sony A290 versus Sony A33 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the A290 and the A33.

Sony A290 vs Sony A33 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A290 and A33 is 66 and 67 respectively.

Sony A290 vs Sony A33 top view buttons comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony A33 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very tough to see the gap between sensor dimensions just by going over a spec sheet. The image underneath should offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the A290 and A33.

Clearly, the 2 cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the identical megapixels so you can expect similar quality of files however you should really take the launch date of the products into consideration.

Sony A290 vs Sony A33 sensor size comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony A33 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A290 vs Sony A33 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A290 Portrait photography info
Sony A33 Portrait photography info
65
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
doesn't have liveview
72
focusing manually
good megapixels (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detect focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony A290
Street photography with Sony A33
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen does not articulate
76
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sony A290 Sports photography advice
Sony A33 Sports photography advice
55
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
max fps low (3.0 frames/s)
low battery life (290 shots)
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
bad battery life (340 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony A290
Travel photography with Sony A33
53
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low battery life (290 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
61
good megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
doesn't have Timelapse mode
bad battery life (340 per charge)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A290 Landscape photography features
Sony A33 Landscape photography features
58
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
doesn't have liveview
low battery life (290 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
67
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
bad battery life (340 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A290 Vlogging advice
Sony A33 Vlogging advice
9
no video
77
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has microphone socket
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Sony A290 vs Sony A33 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A290 and Sony A33
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290Sony SLT-A33
General Information
Company Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 Sony SLT-A33
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2010-06-09 2010-08-24
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4592 x 3056 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount Sony/Minolta Alpha Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 143 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,150k dots
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x 0.73x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 549g (1.21 lbs) 500g (1.10 lbs)
Dimensions 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 66 70
DXO Color Depth score 22.6 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score 11.5 12.6
DXO Low light score 615 591
Other
Battery life 290 photos 340 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FH50 NP-FW50
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 SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $600 $230