• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • APS-C 368.2mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A290 advantages over Fujifilm X70

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 0.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 500 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    18 vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Fujifilm X70 advantages over Sony DSLR-A290

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    44 mm vs 79 mm
    Thinner
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    8 years vs 14 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    347g vs 508g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
    Yes vs No
    A unique sensor design provides sharp photos without moiré
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.5 fps vs 2.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Review Excerpt

  • Compact camera body; Impressive optical performance; Very good JPEG image quality; Good high ISO performance; Film Simulation modes; Tilting touchscreen display.

  • Inconsistent AF performance; Clunky menus; Shallow buffer depth; Poor video quality; No built-in viewfinder like X100-series.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D5000

Sony DSLR-A290
Nikon D5000
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tiltable Screen
Fujifilm X70
Nikon D5000
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Fast startup

Compared to Canon T1i

Sony DSLR-A290
Canon T1i
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Fujifilm X70
Canon T1i
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Fast startup

Compared to Sony DSLR-A390

Sony DSLR-A290
Sony DSLR-A390
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $507
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
Fujifilm X70
Sony DSLR-A390
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $507
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Nikon Coolpix A

Sony DSLR-A290
Nikon Coolpix A
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $1097
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
Fujifilm X70
Nikon Coolpix A
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $1097
  • APS-C
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Bigger RAW buffer

Compared to Ricoh GR II

Sony DSLR-A290
Ricoh GR II
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $538
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Higher effective ISO
Fujifilm X70
Ricoh GR II
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $538
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • NFC
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