Sony α (alpha) DSLR-A290 Camera Body + 1855 Lens

You Are Here -> Home -> Digital SLR -> Sony Alpha 290 with 18-55 mm lens

Sony α (alpha) DSLR-A290 Camera Body + 18-55 Zoom Lens
14 Megapixel , 2.7" LCD, SuperSteady Shot

Features | Standard Accessories | Technical Specification | Latest Prices | Buy Now

Capture life's moments with the extremely light and easy-to-use Sony α290 digital SLR camera. Brimming with features, the α290 features 14.2 megapixel resolution, high sensitivity (ISO 3200), and advanced noise reduction. Plus, Eye-Start Autofocus and pop-up flash help you shoot faster while SteadyShot INSIDE™ in-camera image stabilization works with virtually every lens. In addition to the on-screen Help Guide and convenient Creative Style settings, the α290L has a bright 2.7" LCD and comes with an 18-55mm standard zoom lens.

Salient Features for Sony Alpha 290

SteadyShot INSIDE™ in-camera image stabilization
Image stabilization helps you take blur-free shots by compensating for camera shake. Typical DSLR systems build image stabilization into selected lenses only. SteadyShot INSIDE™ image stabilization is built into the camera body itself. You'll reduce blur with every a-mount lens, including macro and wide-aperture standard zoom lenses.

Integrated on-screen Help Guide and Graphic Display
An integrated on-screen Help Guide and Graphic Display help take the complexity out of DSLR photography. The Help Guide offers clear, concise explanations of various modes and settings, while the Graphic Display helps you understand the relationship between aperture and shutter speed, as well as the effect each has on photographic results.

High sensitivity (ISO 3200) for superior noise reduction
A broad sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 3200 enables you to capture beautiful color images even in very dim light -- High ISO Noise Reduction technology reduces picture noise artifacts at high-sensitivity ISO 1600 and ISO 3200 settings by eliminating noise from RAW data after analog-to-digital conversion.

Up to 2.5 fps continuous shooting
Continuous Shooting lets you shoot at up to 2.5 fps (frames per second) while viewing your subject through the optical viewfinder so you never lose track of the action.

Built-in Pop-Up Flash
The Auto Pop-Up Flash automatically pops up and fires as needed when the camera is set to certain scene selection modes, helping first-time DSLR photographers shoot more effectively. In addition, the α230 features an integrated hot shoe, which lets you expand your lighting options with a range of accessory flashes (sold separately).

BIONZ™ image processor
The advanced BIONZ™ image processor uses hardware-based Large Scale Integrated (LSI) circuitry to enhance images with rich tonal reproduction, reduced noise, and improved white balance and exposure control, for clear, sharp photos even at high sensitivity settings.

Function Guide Display
Function Guide Display provides intuitive and easy to use on-screen menus that can be activated and operated with one hand using the Fn (Function) button and controller button to adjust Flash mode, Autofocus mode, White Balance, Metering mode, AF area and D-Range Optimizer.

14.2 megapixel resolution for ultra-fine detail
A 14.2 megapixel APS-size CCD image sensor captures your images in stunning detail, giving you the freedom to make large prints and tight crops without sacrificing quality.

HDMI™ terminal with BRAVIA® Sync™ compatibility
An HDMI™ terminal gives you the option of connecting your camera to a compatible HDTV and playing back your images in stunning high definition quality (HDMI cable required, sold separately). In addition, BRAVIA® Sync™ works with compatible Sony® BRAVIA HDTVs to let you control camera playback using the television’s remote (HDMI cable and BRAVIA Sync capable HDTV required, sold separately)1.

Eye-Start Autofocus
Eye-Start Autofocus System begins precision autofocus adjustments the moment you raise the camera to your eye, so the camera is ready to catch the perfect moment.

Creative Style settings
Creative Style settings give you control over how the camera processes your images. Choose from 8 finishing styles, including Standard, Vivid, Potrait, Landscape, Night View, Sunset, B&W, and Adobe RGB, and fine tune them to your personal taste with the ability to adjust contrast, saturation, and sharpness settings.

Anti-Dust Technology
Anti-Dust Technology helps keep the CCD imager clean, resulting in consistently better pictures, by utilizing a static-free anti-dust coating on the CCD filter, as well as an anti-dust vibration that automatically shakes the CCD to help dislodge dust each time the camera is shut off.

PhotoTV HD compatibility
PhotoTV HD compatibility3 lets you automatically create high-resolution thumbnails optimized for viewing on a compatible Sony® BRAVIA® HDTV.

Dual slot Compatiblity for Memory Stick® and SD media
Compatible with high-capacity Memory Stick PRO Duo™, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo™ and SD/SDHC media (sold separately) for convenient storage and sharing of your images.

Smallest, lightest α series body
The α290 features the smallest and lightest body of any Sony® α (alpha) series camera for improved portability, as well as an intuitive button layout that allows for easy single-handed operation.

2.7” (diag.) Clear Photo LCD Plus™ display
Review your images and monitor camera settings on the large 2.7” (diag.) Clear Photo LCD Plus™ display, which provides sharp, clear viewing, even in outdoor environments.

9-Point AF Sensor
9-Point Center Cross AF Sensor uses with improved focus control to help bring images into sharp definition more quickly, and predictive focus control automatically calculates the position of fast-moving subjects.

Dynamic Range Optimizer
Dynamic Range Optimizer provides two levels - Standard/Plus to improve results with backlit subjects and recover details hidden in shadows or lost in glare. Normal DRO improves detail using standard gamma curves for fast shot-to-shot response time, while Advanced DRO adjusts dynamic range area-by-area for greater accuracy.

Stamina® Battery power
Stamina® Battery power allows you to take up to 500 shots² on a fully charged NP-FM50 InfoLITHIUM® battery when using the optical viewfinder mode, and you’ll be able to see how much power remains in percentage increments, so you can keep shooting in confidence.

Index and Slide Show Display
Index and Slide Show Display enable you to quickly review your photos using 4, 9 or 25-frame index views, or as an automatic slide show with fade-in/fade-out effect.

Included SAL1855 18-55mm standard zoom lens
The α290 comes with a SAL1855 DT 18-55mm standard zoom kit lens. This newly developed lens employs a Smooth Autofocus Motor (SAM) to deliver smooth and silent autofocus operation, and offers a flexible focal range that allows you to capture everything from wide angle to midrange telephoto shots with ease.

Standard Accessories for Sony ALPHA 290

Shoulder Strap
USB Cable
Battery Charger
Rechargeable Battery
Body Cap
Software CD-ROM
Manual

Technical Specifications of SONY ALPHA 290
General
Camera Type	Digital SLR camera with built-in flash and interchangeable lenses
Lens Used	Sony α lenses, Minolta and Konica Minolta AF lenses
Image Capture
Sensor	23.5 x 15.7mm (APS-C type) with RGB primary colour filter
No. of Pixels	Total: 14.9 megapixels; Effective: 14.2 megapixels
Dust Reduction	Charge protection coating on low pass filter and image-sensor shift mechanism
Sensitivity	Auto, ISO 100 to 3200 (in 1-stop increments, Recommended Exposure Index)
Recording
Recording Media	Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX, SD Memory card, SDHC Memory card
Format Function	FAT 12, 16, 32
File Format	JPEG (DCF2.0, Exif 2.21), RAW (Sony ARW 2.0 format), RAW + JPEG
Image Size (Aspect ratio 3:2)	L(14M):4,592x 3,056; M(7.7M): 3,408 x 2,272; S(3.5M): 2,288 x 1,520
Image Size (Aspect ratio 16:9)	L(12M):4,592 x 2,576; M(6.5M): 3,408 x 1,920; S(2.9M): 2,288 x 1,280
Colour Modes	sRGB, Adobe RGB
Image Quality Modes	Standard, Fine, RAW, RAW+JPEG
Noise Reduction	Long Exposure: Available at shutter speeds longer than 1 sec. High ISO: available at the ISO set to 1600 or above
Creative Style	Standard, Vivid, Portrait, Landscape, Sunset, Night view, B/W
D-Range Optimizer	Mode: off / Standard / Advanced
White Balance
Settings	Auto, Preset (Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash), Custom
Super SteadyShot
System	Image-sensor shift mechanism
Display	Indicator inside viewfinder
Compensation	Approx. 2.5 - 3.5 steps decrease in shutter speeds (varies according to conditions and lens used)
Display
LCD Monitor	2.7 (6.9 cm) (100% field of view), 230,400-dot TFT, Clear Photo LCD
AF System
Focus Modes	Single-shot AF, Auto AF, Continuous AF, Manual Focus
Main Functions	Focus areas selection (Wide area / 9-point local frame selection), predictive focus for moving subjects, focus lock, Eye-Start AF, AF illuminator using built-in flash
Eye-start AF	Selectable via main menu
Type	TTL phase-detection system
Sensor	CCD line sensors (9 points)
Sensitivity Range	0EV - 18EV, ISO 100 equivalent
AF Illuminator	Range: 1 - 5m
AE System
Exposure Modes	Program AE (AUTO, AUTO with Flash Off, P), Aperture priority, Shutter priority, Manual
Scene Selector	Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset, Night view / Night portrait
Metering Type	TTL metering (Multi Segment, Center-Weighted, Spot)
Metering Sensor	40-segment honeycomb-pattern SPC
Metering Range	1EV - 20EV (+3EV to +20EV with spot metering), ISO 100 equivalent with F1.4 lens
Exposure Compensation	+/- 2EV (1/3 EV increments)
AE Lock	Yes
Built-In Flash
Type	Built-in Auto Pop-up
Flash Metering and Control	ADI/ Pre- flash TTL flash
Flash Coverage	18mm (focal length printed on lens)
Flash Modes	Auto (Flash-off), Auto, Fill flash, Red-eye reduction, Rear Sync, Slow sync, High-speed sync, Wireless *Requires compatible external flash
Guide Number	GN 10 (in meters at ISO 100)
Flash Compensation	+/- 2EV (1/3 EV increments)
Recycling Time	Approx. 4 seconds
Shutter
Type	Electronically-controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane shutter
Speed Range	1/4000 sec. -30 sec., bulb
Flash Sync Speed	1/160 sec
Viewfinder
Type	Fixed eye-level, penta-Dach-mirror
Focusing Screen	Spherical Acute Matte
Field of View	95%
Magnification	0.83x (with 50mm lens at infinity)
Eye Relief	Approx. 16.5mm from the eyepiece, 10.9mm from the eyepiece frame at -1 diopter
Diopter Control	-2.5 to +1.0m
Shooting
Continuous Shooting Rate	Up to 2.5 fps with viewfinder
Continuous Shooting Limit	L size, Fine: until memory card is full, RAW: 6 frames, RAW+JPEG: 3 frames
Self-timer	10 sec., 2 sec.
Others
Printing Output Control	Exif Print, Print Image Matching III, PictBridge, DPOF setting
Connectivity
PC Interface	USB2.0 Hi-Speed (mass storage mode / PTP mode)
Size
Dimensions (W x H x D)	Approx. 128.1 x 97.1 x 79.6mm (excl. protrusions)
Weight	Approx. 456g (not including battery, memory card or accessories)
Operating Temperature	0° - 40° C

Up to 2.5 fps continuous shooting Continuous Shooting lets you shoot at up to 2.5 fps (frames per second) while viewing your subject through the optical viewfinder so you never lose track of the action.

BIONZ™ image processor The advanced BIONZ™ image processor uses hardware-based Large Scale Integrated (LSI) circuitry to enhance images with rich tonal reproduction, reduced noise, and improved white balance and exposure control, for clear, sharp photos even at high sensitivity settings.

Function Guide Display Function Guide Display provides intuitive and easy to use on-screen menus that can be activated and operated with one hand using the Fn (Function) button and controller button to adjust Flash mode, Autofocus mode, White Balance, Metering mode, AF area and D-Range Optimizer.

14.2 megapixel resolution for ultra-fine detail A 14.2 megapixel APS-size CCD image sensor captures your images in stunning detail, giving you the freedom to make large prints and tight crops without sacrificing quality.

Eye-Start Autofocus Eye-Start Autofocus System begins precision autofocus adjustments the moment you raise the camera to your eye, so the camera is ready to catch the perfect moment.

PhotoTV HD compatibility PhotoTV HD compatibility3 lets you automatically create high-resolution thumbnails optimized for viewing on a compatible Sony® BRAVIA® HDTV.

Dual slot Compatiblity for Memory Stick® and SD media Compatible with high-capacity Memory Stick PRO Duo™, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo™ and SD/SDHC media (sold separately) for convenient storage and sharing of your images.

Smallest, lightest α series body The α290 features the smallest and lightest body of any Sony® α (alpha) series camera for improved portability, as well as an intuitive button layout that allows for easy single-handed operation.

2.7” (diag.) Clear Photo LCD Plus™ display Review your images and monitor camera settings on the large 2.7” (diag.) Clear Photo LCD Plus™ display, which provides sharp, clear viewing, even in outdoor environments.

9-Point AF Sensor 9-Point Center Cross AF Sensor uses with improved focus control to help bring images into sharp definition more quickly, and predictive focus control automatically calculates the position of fast-moving subjects.

Stamina® Battery power Stamina® Battery power allows you to take up to 500 shots2 on a fully charged NP-FM50 InfoLITHIUM® battery when using the optical viewfinder mode, and you’ll be able to see how much power remains in percentage increments, so you can keep shooting in confidence.

Index and Slide Show Display Index and Slide Show Display enable you to quickly review your photos using 4, 9 or 25-frame index views, or as an automatic slide show with fade-in/fade-out effect.