Sony just announced two updated entry-level digital SLR models. The new Sony Alpha A290 and A390 cameras released today are successors to the last year’s Alpha A230 and A330/A380 respectively.
Compared to their predecessors, it seems not much has changed, the only obvious ‘change’ being the increase in megapixels to 14 megapixels for both the A290 and A390, as well as a $50 decrease in recommended retail price versus their 2009 counterparts.
Between the two newborn siblings today, the differences between the two are the presence of live view (At the cost of a smaller optical viewfinder) and a tilt-out LCD screen on the higher end A390. Neither camera has any sort of movie recording capability.
Sony Alpha A290/Alpha A390
(Entry-level digital SLRs)
- 14.2 effective megapixels (APS-C sensor, 1.5X crop)
- Sony/Minolta lens mount (1.5X crop factor))
- Dust reduction
- In-body sensor-shift image stabilization
- Alpha A290: 2.7 inch fixed position LCD
Alpha A390: 2.7 inch inch dual-hinge, tilt-out LCD - Alpha A290: 95% viewfinder with 0.83X magnification
Alpha A390: 90% viewfinder with 0.74X magnification - ISO speed range of 100 - 3200
- Alpha A290: NO live view
Alpha A390: Live view; uses secondary CCD sensor inside viewfinder chamber - 2.5 FPS continuous shooting mode
- Full manual controls with RAW mode and hotshoe; wireless flash control
- 9 point AF
- No movie mode
- Dual memory card slots for SD/SDHC and Memory Stick Duo
- Uses a lithium-ion battery (NP-FH50)
- Alpha A290: Available in July for $500 (with 18-55 mm kit lens)
Alpha A390: Available in July for $600 (with 18-55 mm kit lens)