Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 Review

Overall Score

58

Main Features

  • 14 MP APS-C CCD Sensor
  • 100 - 3200 ISO
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 2" Fixed Screen
  • Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder
  • 3 fps continuous shooting
  • Built-In Wireless
  • 128 x 97 x 86 mm, 549g.
  • Price Category:
  • Replaced: Alpha DSLR-A230

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Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 Overview


First introduced in June, 2010, Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 is a 14 MP DSLR with a APS-C (23.5 x 15.7 mm) sized CCD sensor. Sony replaced the older Sony A230 with Alpha DSLR-A290. Follow the link to read our detailed comparison of these models:

Compare Sony A290 with Sony A230


Sony A290 comes with a 23.5 x 15.7 mm CCD sensor, which has a diagonal of 28.26 mm (1.1").

- Full Frame
- Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

Sensor resolution of Sony A290 ~ 4582 x 3055 pixels.

Sony A290 has Crop Factor: 1.53

The sensor has a surface area of 369.0 mm².

There are approximate 13,998,010 photosites (pixels) on this area.


Proc and Cons of Sony A290


Get to know this camera closer. Let's look at the features and characteristics of this model. Compare Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 with competitors in entry-level dslr cameras.

Pros
Built-in Wireless
External Flash
AF Face Detection
3.0 fps Continuous Shooting
Manual Focus
549g Light Body
±2 AE Bracketing Range
Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
Optical Viewfinder
RAW Support
1/4000s Max Shutter Speed
Manual Exposure Mode
9 Focus Points
Flash Sync Port
Cons
No Bluetooth
No Touch Screen
No Environmental Sealing
Low Screen Resolution: 230k dots
Low Battery Life: 290 shots
No Articulating Screen
No Full HD Video
Small LCD Screen: 2"
Slow Continuous Shooting: 230 fps
Type Scores

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 has an Overall Score of 58/100 and ranked #125 out of 206 in DSLR cameras, and ranked #374 out of 1222 in all cameras.

Sony A290 Scores
Imaging score
51
Features score
54
Value for money score
73
Portability score
78
Overall score
58
Average Scores in Entry-Level DSLR
Imaging Score
52
Features Score
59
Value For Money Score
75
Portability Score
79
Overall score
61

Physical Dimensions of Sony A290


Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 weighs 549g and has external dimensions of 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.04 x 3.82 x 3.39"). Considering that the average weight of Entry-Level DSLR cameras is 538g, Sony A290 is 11 grams more than the average weight of cameras in this category.

Weight Comparison
Entry-Level DSLR Cameras


Sony A290
549g
Average weight
538g
Min weight
365g
Max weight
690g

Thickness Comparison
Entry-Level DSLR Cameras


Sony A290
86mm
Average Thickness
73mm
Min Thickness
53mm
Max Thickness
86mm

Here is the front and top view image of Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 with the dimensions:

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

Size Compared to Major Competitors


Model Weight Alpha DSLR-A290 Dimensions Alpha DSLR-A290
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 Sony A230 490 g 549 g 128 x 97 x 68 mm 128 x 97 x 86 mm
Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 Sony A200 572 g 549 g 131 x 99 x 71 mm 128 x 97 x 86 mm
Sony SLT-A58 Sony A58 492 g 549 g 129 x 95 x 78 mm 128 x 97 x 86 mm
Nikon D3200 Nikon D3200 505 g 549 g 125 x 96 x 77 mm 128 x 97 x 86 mm
Canon EOS 450D Canon 450D 524 g 549 g 129 x 98 x 62 mm 128 x 97 x 86 mm
Canon EOS 1200D Canon 1200D 480 g 549 g 130 x 100 x 78 mm 128 x 97 x 86 mm
Nikon D3100 Nikon D3100 505 g 549 g 124 x 96 x 75 mm 128 x 97 x 86 mm
Nikon D3300 Nikon D3300 430 g 549 g 124 x 98 x 76 mm 128 x 97 x 86 mm

Specifications of Sony Alpha DSLR-A290


General
Brand Sony
Model Alpha DSLR-A290
Announced June, 2010
Body Type Compact SLR
Lens
Lens Mount Sony/Minolta Alpha
Manual Focus
Focal Lens Multiplier 1.5
Number of Lenses 143
Macro Focus Range n/a
Screen
Screen Size 2"
Screen Type Fixed
Screen Resolution 230k pixels
Touch Screen
Live View
Viewfinder
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Resolution no electronic viewfinder
Viewfinder Coverage 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.55
Autofocus
AF Touch
AF Continuous
AF Single
AF Tracking
AF Selective
AF Center
AF Multi Area
AF Live View
AF Face Detection
AF Contrast Detection
AF Phase Detection
Number of Focus Points 9
Number of Cross Focus Points 0
Photography Features
RAW Support
Min Shutter Speed 1/30 sec
Max Shutter Speed 1/4000 sec
Continuous Shooting 3.0 fps
Shutter Priority
Aperture Priority
Manual Exposure Mode
Exposure Compensation
Custom White Balance
Image Stabilization
Built-in Flash
Flash Range 10.00
Flash Modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External Flash
AE Bracketing
AE Bracketing Range ±2 EV
WB Bracketing
Sensor
Sensor Size APS-C
Sensor Type CCD
Sensor Dimensions 23.5 x 15.7 mm
Sensor Area 369.0 mm²
Sensor Resolution 14 MP
Max Image Resolution 4592 x 3056
Max Native ISO 3200
Min Native ISO 100
Max Boosted ISO 0
Min Boosted ISO 0
Video Features
4K
Max Video Resolution None
Video Formats
Timelapse Recording
Microphone Port
Headphone Port
Exposure Modes
Multi-Segment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF-Area
Center Weighted
Connectivity
GPS None
Wireless Connectivity Built-In
Bluetooth
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
Battery
Battery Life 290 shots
Battery Type Battery Pack
Battery Model NP-FH50
Physical
Weight 549 g
Physical Dimensions 128 x 97 x 86 mm
Environmental Sealing
Water Proof
Dust Proof
Shock Proof
Crush Proof
Freeze Proof
Shock Proof
Storage
Storage Type Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Storage Slots 1
Other Features
Self Timer
Selfie Friendly

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