Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 was introduced in June 2010 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V was introduced in October 2016. Let us first list highlights of the models.

Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 over Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V over Sony Alpha DSLR-A290.

We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

Screen

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 has a 2.7" Fixed screen with 230k dot resolution and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V has a 3.0" Tilting screen with 1,229k dot resolution. Tilting screen makes Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V very useful for photography purposes but not so useful for video shooting.

Viewfinder

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 has a built-in Optical (pentamirror) viewfinderSony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V has a built-in Electronic viewfinder with 2,359k dot resolution. Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 has 95% coverage with 0.83x (0.55x 35mm equivalent) magnification and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V has 100% coverage (0.59x 35mm equivalent) magnification.

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 features a 14.2 megapixel APS-C CCD sensor with dimensions of 23.6 x 15.8 mm and a total area of 372.9 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 3,200. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V features a 20.1 megapixel 1-inch Stacked CMOS sensor with dimensions of 13.2 x 8.8 mm and a total area of 77.4 mm². Its native ISO range is 125 - 12,800 and expands to 80 - 25,600 in boosted mode.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V has Stacked CMOS sensor. The key feature of such sensor is its three-dimensional structure, which consists of multiple layers of semiconductor material and circuitry stacked on top of each other. This allows the sensor to have dedicated layers for image capture and signal processing. This separation allows for faster data readout, reducing rolling shutter effects and enabling high-speed shooting and video recording. It is also more power-efficient.

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 is equipped with BIONZ processor and can take pictures up to 4592 x 3056 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4592 x 2576, 3408 x 2272, 3408 x 1920, 2288 x 1520, 2288 x 1280 with 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V is equipped with Bionz X processor and can take pictures up to 5472 x 3648 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3:2 (3888 x 2592, 2736 x 1824), 4:3 (4864 x 3648, 3648 x 2736, 2592 x 1944), 16:9 (5472 x 3080, 3648 x 2056, 2720 x 1528), 1:1 (3648 x 3648, 2544 x 2544, 1920 x 1920) with 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.

Image Stabilization

The cameras have a built-in image stabilization. On Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 it means that you are still getting vibration reduction when it is paired with non-image stabilizied lenses. It also works with lenses with optical image stabilization and in combination can achieve even better compensation.

Built-in Wi-Fi on Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V has a built-in Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n, 2.4 GHz) which allows to easily transfer photos and videos from the camera to other Wi-Fi-enabled devices, such as smartphones, tablets, printers, or computers. This eliminates the need for cables and allows for quick and convenient media sharing and social media integration. It gives you the ability to control your camera remotely using a smartphone or tablet. This is particularly useful for taking self-portraits, group shots, or capturing images in challenging conditions without having to touch the camera. Firmware updates can also be downloaded and installed wirelessly.
  Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in WiFi.

NFC on Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V has Near Field Communication (NFC) technology which simplifies the process of pairing it with other NFC-enabled devices like smartphones or tablets. It allows to quickly transfer photos and videos or remotely control the camera from compatible device. NFC can also be used for authentication and security purposes. It can verify your identity before accessing certain features or transferring sensitive data. It can be used with NFC-enabled accessories as well, such as lenses, flashes and GPS devices.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 has an HDMI and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V has a Micro HDMI connector for video signal output.

Battery

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 comes with NP-FH50 battery pack with battery life of 290 shots and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V comes with NP-BX1 battery pack with battery life of 220 shots.

External Storage Slots

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 has a single SD/SDHC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo card slot. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo card slot.

Shutter

Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Sony Alpha DSLR-A290, and up to 1/32000 sec with electronic shutter and up to 1/2000 sec with mechanical shutter on Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V. Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 can shoot continuously up to 2.5 fps. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V can shoot continuously up to 24.0 fps.

Flash

Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 10.00 m at ISO 100 on Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 and 10.20 m at Auto ISO on Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V. Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/160 sec on Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 and 1/2000 sec on Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V.

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 body has dimensions of 128 x 97 x 86 mm (5.04 x 3.82 x 3.39") and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V body has dimensions of 102 x 58 x 41 mm (4.02 x 2.28 x 1.61"). Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 weighs 549 g (1.21 lb / 19.37 oz) and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V weighs 299 g (0.66 lb / 10.55 oz).

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V

128 mm

97 mm

102 mm

58 mm

97 mm

58 mm

86 mm

41 mm