• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.5 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
  • Samsung NX Mini
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Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:    
General
Model Number: DSLR-A290 NX Mini
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $499.99 $549.00
Street Price:   $599.99
Date Available: 2010-07-15 2014-04-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 17.9 oz (508 g)
includes batteries
9.5 oz (269 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 5.0 x 3.8 x 3.1 in.
(128 x 97 x 80 mm)
4.3 x 2.4 x 0.9 in.
(110 x 62 x 23 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CCD CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony  
Effective Megapixels: 14.2 20.5
Sensor Format: APS-C 1 inch
Sensor size: 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) 116.16mm2 (13.20mm x 8.80mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.16 microns 2.41 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 2.7x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2, 16:9 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes No
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 66  
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 22.6  
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.5  
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 615  
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4592 x 3056 (14.0 MP, 3:2),
4592 x 2576 (11.8 MP, 16:9),
3408 x 2272 (7.7 MP, 3:2),
3408 x 1920 (6.5 MP, 16:9),
2288 x 1520 (3.5 MP, Other),
2288 x 1280 (2.9 MP, Other)
5472 x 3648 (20.0 MP, 3:2),
5472 x 3080 (16.9 MP, 16:9),
3648 x 3648 (13.3 MP, 1:1),
3888 x 2592 (10.1 MP, 3:2),
3712 x 2088 (7.8 MP, 16:9),
2640 x 2640 (7.0 MP, 1:1),
2976 x 1984 (5.9 MP, 3:2),
2944 x 1656 (4.9 MP, 16:9),
2000 x 2000 (4.0 MP, 1:1),
1728 x 1152 (2.0 MP, 3:2),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
1024 x 1024 (1.0 MP, 1:1)
Image File Format: JPEG, RAW JPEG (EXIF 2.3), .SRW 12-bit RAW, RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 2.4 6.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (30p)
1280x720 (30p)
640x480 (30p)
320x240 (30p)
Movie File Format:   MP4 (H.264) with AAC monaural audio
Composite Video Out: No No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: n/a n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sony Alpha (Minolta A) Samsung NX-M
Lens: Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM Samsung 9-27mm f/3.5-5.6 ED OIS NX-M; 9 elements in 8 groups including 1 Extra-low Dispersion and 2 aspherical elements
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 83mm 24 - 73mm
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm 9 - 27mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x 3.00x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 36 (T) f/3.5 (wide) / f/5.6 (tele) - f/11; 7-blade circular aperture
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   14 cm to Infinity
5.5 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 55.0mm 39.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: No Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a Up to 2x i-Zoom
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 9-point TTL phase detection (one cross-type sensor) with eye-start AF Contrast Detection: 21 points (normal), has single-point and 35-point closeup modes; Face Detection: Max. 10 faces; Object Tracking AF; Single AF, Continuous AF, MF, Touch AF & Shutter
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD (playback only) No / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.83x mag., 16.5mm eyepoint, -2.5 to +1.0 diopter  
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.55x  
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.83x  
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 2.7 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 230,400 dots 460,800 dots (153,600 px)
Touchscreen: No Yes
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No Yes
Max Playback Zoom: 14.0x  
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 3200 12800
Minimum ISO (native): 100 160
ISO Settings: Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 Auto (up to 3200), 160-12800 in 1 or 1/3 EV steps; extendable to 100 and 25600
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, White Fluorescent, Neutral Fluorescent, Daylight Fluorescent, Tungsten, Flash, Custom, Kelvin Color Temp., 7-step A/B + G/M adjust
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/16000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 40-segment honeycomb pattern, center-weighted, spot 221-segment Multi, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset, Night Portrait/Night View Smart Mode: Beauty Face, Best Face, Landscape, Macro, Action Freeze, Rich Tone, Panorama, Waterfall, Silhouette, Sunset, Night, Firework, Light Trace, Continuous Shot, Kids Shot, Food, Parties and Indoors; Smart Filter: Miniature, Vignetting, Sketch, Fish Eye; Smart Range+; HDR
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2-30 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off Smart Flash, Auto, Auto+Red-eye reduction, Fill-in, Fill-in+Red-eye reduction, 1st Curtain, 2nd Curtain, Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a 4.0 m / 13.1 ft.
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent Lens dependant; GN=4.9m (at ISO 160, 24mm), 4m (at ISO 100, 24mm)
Max Flash Sync: 1/160 1/200
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0 EV in 0.5EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot shoe Proprietary Flash Port
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure  
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC microSD / microSDHC / microSDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW .SRW 12-bit RAW, RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format:   MP4 (H.264) with AAC monaural audio
Included Memory:   No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: Yes
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional wireless Yes, via USB or Wi-Fi
Connections (extended): DC input, min-HDMI Micro (Type-D) HDMI 1.3a, Micro USB
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.50 0.96
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.46 1.76
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 5  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   1.70
Camera penalizes early shutter press? Yes Yes
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 2.4 6.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 18 11
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   6.0
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   5
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   5.6
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   5
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.20 seconds 0.35 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.182 seconds 0.168 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.22 seconds 0.48 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.107 seconds 0.164 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Full AF lag, Auto Area = 0.200s  
Startup Time: 0.5 seconds 2.0 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.4 seconds 1.0 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:   4.3 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   530 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 500 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NP-FH50 Proprietary B740A
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FH50 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary B740A lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: No
Internal Charging Supported: Yes
Software
Included Software: Software/USB Driver CD-ROM Adobe Lightroom 5, iLauncher
OS Compatibility: Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7, Mac OS X (v. 10.4+) Windows 7 / 8, Mac OS 10.5+
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: World's slimmest and lightest ILC features 1-inch 20MP BSI sensor, new NX-M lens mount, tilting 3-inch touchscreen, 6fps full-res burst mode, built-in WiFi with NFC. Available in white, pink, mint green, brown or black, in two kits (with 9mm f/3.5 lens or with 9-27mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS lens plus external SEF7A flash).