Sony a290 vs Canon EOS Rebel XTi
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a290 and Canon EOS Rebel XTi. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony a290 is manufacturered by Sony but Canon EOS Rebel XTi is from Canon. Both Sony and Canon are well known brands though.
Sony a290 were released 2010 and Canon EOS Rebel XTi was released 2006. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony a290 | 2010 |
Canon EOS Rebel XTi | 2006 |
Type of camera
Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.
Sensors / crop factor
These cameras have different sensors. Sony a290 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Canon EOS Rebel XTi has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.
Camera | Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 ** |
Sony a290 | 75 mm Sony APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5 |
Canon EOS Rebel XTi | 80 mm Canon APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6 |
** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"
Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)
Resolution
Sony a290 has a 14 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS Rebel XTi has 10,1 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:
Camera | Megapixels |
Sony a290 |
14 MP
14033152 pixels 4592 x 3056 |
Canon EOS Rebel XTi |
10,1 MP
10077696 pixels 3888 x 2592 |
Sony a290 has a 39 % larger resolution than Canon EOS Rebel XTi. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.
ISO range
Sony a290 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS Rebel XTi. Sony a290 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 3200 while Canon EOS Rebel XTi has 100 to 1600.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a290 | 100-3200 |
Canon EOS Rebel XTi | 100-1600 |
Autofocus and lens compatibility
Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.
Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a290
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS Rebel XTi
Pictures per second
Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a290 can shoot up to 2,5 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS Rebel XTi can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a290 | 2,5 |
Canon EOS Rebel XTi | 3 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
Though, neither Sony a290 or Canon EOS Rebel XTi can shoot movies so if that is a functionality that you are really looking for you should look elsewhere.
Weight
The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.
Canon EOS Rebel XTi weighs 556 gr (equal to 1.23 lb) which is 1% heavier than Sony a290 and its 549 gr (or 1.21 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a290 | 549 gr 1.21 lb |
Canon EOS Rebel XTi | 556 gr 1.23 lb |
Sony a290 vs Canon EOS Rebel XTi Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a290 and Canon EOS Rebel XTi, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.
Product |
Sony a290 |
Canon EOS Rebel XTi |
Name | Sony a290 | Canon EOS Rebel XTi |
Manufacturer | Sony | Canon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a290 |
Canon EOS Rebel XTi |
Release Year | 2010 | 2006 |
Release Date | 2010-06-09 | 2006-08-24 |
MSRP | 499 USD | 799 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony a290 |
Canon EOS Rebel XTi |
Camera Type | DSLR | DSLR |
Sensor |
Sony a290 |
Canon EOS Rebel XTi |
Sensor Size | APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) | APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm) |
Sensor Type | CCD | CMOS |
Resolution | 4592 x 3056 pixels | 3888 x 2592 pixels |
Megapixels | 14 MP | 10,1 MP |
Image Processor | Bionz | DIGIC 2 |
Image |
Sony a290 |
Canon EOS Rebel XTi |
ISO Range | 100 - 3200 | 100 - 1600 |
White Balance Presets | 6 | 6 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization |
Yes (Sensor-Shift) |
No |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 0 stops | 0 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Sony a290 |
Canon EOS Rebel XTi |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | Yes |
Autofocus |
Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous |
Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous |
Focus Points | 9 | 9 |
Lens Mount |
Sony A See Compatible Lenses |
Canon EF Canon EF-S See Compatible Lenses |
Focal Length Multiplier |
APS-C Sensor (1.5x) 1.5x multiplier Example: 24 mm becomes 36 mm 50 mm becomes 75 mm 100 mm becomes 150 mm 200 mm becomes 300 mm |
APS-C Sensor 1.6x multiplier Example: 24 mm becomes 38 mm 50 mm becomes 80 mm 100 mm becomes 160 mm 200 mm becomes 320 mm |
Screen & Viewfinder |
Sony a290 |
Canon EOS Rebel XTi |
Articulated LCD | Fixed | Fixed |
Screen size | 2.7” | 2.5” |
Screen dots | 230400 | 230000 |
Touch screen | No | No |
Screen type | N/A | TFT LCD |
Live view | No | No |
Viewfinder Type | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 95% | 95% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.83× (0.55× 35mm equiv.) | 0.8× (0.5× 35mm equiv.) |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | N/A |
Photography features |
Sony a290 |
Canon EOS Rebel XTi |
Frames per second | 2,5 fps | 3 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Built-in Flash | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Flash Range | 10 meters | 12 meters |
External Flash | Yes | Yes |
Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
Time-lapse | No | Yes |
Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Multi Center Weighted Partial |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) | +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony a290 |
Canon EOS Rebel XTi |
Video recording | No | No |
Video format | N/A | N/A |
Video resolution | N/A | N/A |
Built-in Microphone | No | No |
Built-in Speakers | No | No |
Storage |
Sony a290 |
Canon EOS Rebel XTi |
Memory Card |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
Compact Flash |
Connectivity |
Sony a290 |
Canon EOS Rebel XTi |
HDMI Output | Yes | No |
Microphone Port | No | No |
Headphone Port | No | No |
Wireless | No | No |
Remote Control | Yes (Optional) | Yes (E3 connector, InfraRed) |
GPS | No | No |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a290 |
Canon EOS Rebel XTi |
Enviromentally sealed | No | No |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
Lithium-Ion NP-FH50 rechargeable battery & charger
|
Battery Pack NB-2LH
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 290 shots | 360 shots |
Width | 128 mm | 127 mm |
Height | 97 mm | 94 mm |
Depth | 86 mm | 65 mm |
Weight | 549 gram | 556 gram |