Sony a5000 vs Sony a290

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a5000 and Sony a290. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.

Sony a5000 were released 2014 and Sony a290 was released 2010. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a5000 2014
Sony a290 2010

Type of camera

Sony a5000 is a Mirrorless camera while Sony a290 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

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 a5000 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Sony a290 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 a5000 has a 20 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a290 has 14 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a5000 20 MP
19816192 pixels
5456 x 3632
Sony a290 14 MP
14033152 pixels
4592 x 3056

Sony a5000 has a 41 % larger resolution than Sony a290. 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 a5000 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a290. Sony a5000 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 16000 while Sony a290 has 100 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a5000 100-16000
Sony a290 100-3200

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 a5000
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a290

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a5000 can shoot up to 3,5 pictures per seconds and Sony a290 can shoot up to 2,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a5000 3,5
Sony a290 2,5

Ability to record movies

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

When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Sony a5000. Unfortunately Sony a290 does not support recording movies and movie clips.

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 a290 weighs 549 gr (equal to 1.21 lb) which is 104% heavier than Sony a5000 and its 269 gr (or 0.59 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a5000 269 gr
0.59 lb
Sony a290 549 gr
1.21 lb

Sony a5000 vs Sony a290 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a5000 and Sony a290, 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 a5000
Sony a290
Name Sony a5000 Sony a290
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Release Date and Price
Sony a5000
Sony a290
Release Year 2014 2010
Release Date 2014-01-07 2010-06-09
MSRP 599 USD 499 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a5000
Sony a290
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Sony a5000
Sony a290
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CCD
Resolution 5456 x 3632 pixels 4592 x 3056 pixels
Megapixels 20 MP 14 MP
Image Processor Bionz X Bionz
Image
Sony a5000
Sony a290
ISO Range 100 - 16000 100 - 3200
White Balance Presets 9 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a5000
Sony a290
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 25 9
Lens Mount Sony E

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 a5000
Sony a290
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3” 2.7”
Screen dots 460 230400
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT LCD with 180 upward tilt N/A
Live view Yes No
Viewfinder Type No Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.83× (0.55× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a5000
Sony a290
Frames per second 3,5 fps 2,5 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 4 meters 10 meters
External Flash No Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a5000
Sony a290
Video recording Yes No
Video format MPEG4
AVCHD
N/A
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Sony a5000
Sony a290
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a5000
Sony a290
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11 b/g/n with NFC)
No
Remote Control Yes (via smartphone) Yes (Optional)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a5000
Sony a290
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and USB charger
Lithium-Ion NP-FH50 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 420 shots 290 shots
Width 110 mm 128 mm
Height 63 mm 97 mm
Depth 36 mm 86 mm
Weight 269 gram 549 gram