Sony a290 vs Sony a500

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a290 and Sony a500. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.

Sony a290 were released 2010 and Sony a500 was released 2009. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a290 2010
Sony a500 2009

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Sony APS-C") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Neither of the cameras has a Full frame sensor which means that you will get a "crop factor" where the camera's sensor size affect the focal length with a multiplier.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a290 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Sony a500 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** 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)

Resolution

Sony a290 has a 14 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a500 has 12 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
Sony a500 12 MP
12166656 pixels
4272 x 2848

Sony a290 has a 15 % larger resolution than Sony a500. 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 a500 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a290. Sony a500 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 12800 while Sony a290 has 100 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a290 100-3200
Sony a500 200-12800

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 Sony a500

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 Sony a500 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a290 2,5
Sony a500 5

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

Though, neither Sony a290 or Sony a500 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.

Sony a500 weighs 630 gr (equal to 1.39 lb) which is 15% heavier than Sony a290 and its 549 gr (or 1.21 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a290 549 gr
1.21 lb
Sony a500 630 gr
1.39 lb

Sony a290 vs Sony a500 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a290 and Sony a500, 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
Sony a500
Name Sony a290 Sony a500
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Release Date and Price
Sony a290
Sony a500
Release Year 2010 2009
Release Date 2010-06-09 2009-08-27
MSRP 499 USD 549 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a290
Sony a500
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Sony a290
Sony a500
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor Type CCD CMOS
Resolution 4592 x 3056 pixels 4272 x 2848 pixels
Megapixels 14 MP 12 MP
Image Processor Bionz Bionz
Image
Sony a290
Sony a500
ISO Range 100 - 3200 200 - 12800
White Balance Presets 6 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a290
Sony a500
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 9 9
Lens Mount Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Sony A

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 (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony a290
Sony a500
Articulated LCD Fixed Tilting
Screen size 2.7” 3”
Screen dots 230400 230000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A N/A
Live view No Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.83× (0.55× 35mm equiv.) 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a290
Sony a500
Frames per second 2,5 fps 5 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 No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a290
Sony a500
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
Sony a500
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a290
Sony a500
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No No
Remote Control Yes (Optional) Yes (Wired or wirelss (Optional))
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a290
Sony a500
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FH50 rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 290 shots 520 shots
Width 128 mm 137 mm
Height 97 mm 104 mm
Depth 86 mm 84 mm
Weight 549 gram 630 gram