The Sony Alpha A290 will sit alongside the existing A230 and A330 models in Sony's entry-level lineup, with the Sony Alpha A390 replacing the existing A380 model. Compared to the A380, the Sony A390 features the redesigned handgrip, which is more traditionally styled, and should prove more comfortable in use. The change in grip adds around seven grams to the body-only weight of the A390, and around 12mm to the depth. In other respects, the Sony A390 is largely unchanged from the A380. More details can be found in our Sony A390 preview.

The Sony A290, meanwhile, likewise includes the new grip, and weighs around six grams more than the A230. Body depth is increased by the same 12mm margin, but there's a couple of other differences from the A230 beyond just the grip. The Sony A290 has a higher resolution 14.2 effective megapixel CCD image sensor -- the same chip that featured in the A380, and will ship in the A390. It's battery life is also rated as just a few shots less than the A230, perhaps due to the increased processing required for the slightly higher-res images. CIPA life for the A290 is rated as 500 shots on a charge, versus 510 for the A230. In other respects, the Sony A290 is similar to the A230. For more details, read our Sony A290 preview.

Both new cameras ship from July 2010. With an 18-55mm kit lens included, pricing is set at about $500 for the Sony Alpha DSLR-A290, or $600 for the Sony Alpha DSLR-A390.

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General
Camera Type	SLR
Manufacturer	Sony
Model Number	North America: DSLR-A290
Dimensions	5.0 x 3.8 x 3.1 in. (128 x 97 x 80 mm)
Weight	17.9 oz (508 g)
Planned Price	$500
Planned Availability	July 2010
Warranty	1 years
Image Capture
Sensor Type	Sony CCD APS-C (approx. 1.12 in. diagonal) 14.90 megapixels (total) 14.20 megapixels (effective)
Filter Type	RGBG
Focal Length Multiplier	1.50
Aspect Ratio	3:2, 16:9
Image Dimensions	4592 x 3056 (14.0 megapixels) 4592 x 2576 (11.8 megapixels) 3408 x 2272 (7.7 megapixels) 3408 x 1920 (6.5 megapixels) 2288 x 1520 (3.5 megapixels) 2288 x 1280 (2.9 megapixels)
Image Quality	2 levels
Image Preview / Review
Viewfinder	Yes, SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.83x mag., 16.5mm eyepoint, -2.5 to +1.0 diopter
LCD	2.7 in. diagonal 230,400 dots (76,800 pixels)
Playback Zoom	14.0x max
Lens
Lens Type	Interchangeable Lens 3x optical zoom 55mm lens thread
Lens Mount	Sony Alpha (Minolta A) mount
Image Stabilization	Yes
Focal Length	18.0 - 55.0mm (actual) 27 - 83mm (35mm equivalent)
Aperture Range	f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 36 (T)
Focusing System	9-point TTL phase detection (one cross-type sensor) with eye-start AF Has AF assist lamp Manual focus possible
Exposure
ISO Sensitivity	Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200
Shutter Speed	30 - 1/4000 second
Exposure Modes	Aperture, Shutter, Manual
Metering Modes	40-segment honeycomb pattern, center-weighted, spot
Exposure Compensation	+/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments
White Balance	Image Sensor - Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom
Internal Flash	Modes: Auto, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off Range: Lens dependent
Flash Exposure Compensation	+/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments
Creative
Scene Modes	Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset, Night Portrait/Night View
Self Timer	Yes, 2 or 10 seconds
Storage
Recording Medium	Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo, SD/MMC including SDHC
File System	FAT16, FAT32, complies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF)
File Format	RAW, JPEG
Connectivity
Video	High definition: Yes (HDMI) Standard definition: No
Computer	USB 2.0 High Speed
Other	DC input, min-HDMI
Power
Battery Type	Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Form Factor	Proprietary NP-FH50
Product Bundle
Software	Software/USB Driver CD-ROM
Battery / Charger	1 x Proprietary NP-FH50 Lithium-ion rechargeable battery and charger
Other
Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliant	Yes
PictBridge Compliant	Yes
Internal Microphone	No
Internal Speaker	Yes
Tripod Mount	Yes
Remote Control	Yes, Optional wireless
More Photos

Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
General
Camera Type	SLR
Manufacturer	Sony
Model Number	North America: DSLR-A390
Dimensions	5.0 x 3.8 x 3.3 in. (128 x 97 x 84 mm)
Weight	19.4 oz (549 g)
Planned Price	$600
Planned Availability	July 2010
Warranty	1 years
Image Capture
Sensor Type	Sony CCD APS-C (approx. 1.12 in. diagonal) 14.90 megapixels (total) 14.20 megapixels (effective)
Filter Type	RGBG
Aspect Ratio	3:2, 16:9
Image Dimensions	4592 x 3056 (14.0 megapixels) 4592 x 2576 (11.8 megapixels) 3408 x 2272 (7.7 megapixels) 3408 x 1920 (6.5 megapixels) 2288 x 1520 (3.5 megapixels) 2288 x 1280 (2.9 megapixels)
Image Quality	2 levels
Image Preview / Review
Viewfinder	Yes, SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.74x mag., 19.7mm eyepoint, -3 to +1 diopter
LCD	2.7 in. diagonal 230,400 dots (76,800 pixels)
Playback Zoom	14.0x max
Lens
Lens Type	Interchangeable Lens 3x optical zoom 55mm lens thread
Lens Mount	Sony Alpha (Minolta A) mount
Image Stabilization	Yes
Focal Length	18.0 - 55.0mm (actual) 27 - 83mm (35mm equivalent)
Aperture Range	f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 36 (T)
Focusing System	9-point TTL phase detection (one cross-type sensor) with eye-start AF Has AF assist lamp Manual focus possible
Exposure
	Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200
Shutter Speed	30 - 1/4000 second
Exposure Modes	Aperture, Shutter, Manual
Metering Modes	40-segment honeycomb pattern, center-weighted, spot
Exposure Compensation	+/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments
White Balance	Image Sensor - Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom
Internal Flash	Modes: Auto, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off Range: Lens dependent
Flash Exposure Compensation	+/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments
Creative
Scene Modes	Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset, Night Portrait/Night View
Self Timer	Yes, 2 or 10 seconds
Storage
Recording Medium	Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo, SD/MMC including SDHC
File System	FAT16, FAT32, complies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF)
File Format	RAW, JPEG
Connectivity
Video	High definition: Yes (HDMI) Standard definition: No
Computer	USB 2.0 High Speed
Other	DC input, min-HDMI
Power
Battery Type	Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Form Factor	Proprietary NP-FH50
Product Bundle
Software	Software/USB Driver CD-ROM
Battery / Charger	1 x Proprietary NP-FH50 Lithium-ion rechargeable battery and charger
Other
Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliant	Yes
PictBridge Compliant	Yes
Internal Microphone	No
Internal Speaker	Yes
Tripod Mount	Yes
Remote Control	Yes, Optional Wireless
More Photos