• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • 35.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A290 advantages over Fujifilm X100

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $1200 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 3.2 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 500 vs 300 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Less shutter lag
    0.20 vs 0.40 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.55x vs 0.50x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    14.2 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    18 vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Fujifilm X100 advantages over Sony DSLR-A290

  • Higher effective ISO
    1,001 vs 615 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Thinner
    53 mm vs 79 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.7 fps vs 2.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 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
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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

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Review Excerpt

  • Superb image quality; Dazzling Hybrid Viewfinder; Traditional mechanical controls; Mostly excellent optical performance.

  • Quirky interface; Manual dials turn easily; Manual focus is too difficult to use; Dramatic lens flare, especially at night.

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 X100
Nikon D5000
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Integrated ND filter
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Canon T1i

Sony DSLR-A290
Canon T1i
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Fujifilm X100
Canon T1i
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • 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 X100
Sony DSLR-A390
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Integrated ND filter
  • $507
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Fujifilm X100S

Sony DSLR-A290
Fujifilm X100S
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
Fujifilm X100
Fujifilm X100S
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Fujifilm X100T

Sony DSLR-A290
Fujifilm X100T
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1299
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
Fujifilm X100
Fujifilm X100T
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • $1299
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
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