Sony's value-minded A290 DSLR gets official, drags big bro A390 on stage

Sony's A290 DSLR may not have been the hottest of this summer's Vietnamese leaks, but nevertheless it was about a month ago that the entry-level shooter was spied over there, and now we know when it'll be coming over here -- roughly, at least. Sony has made the 14.2 megapixel A290 official, along with its A390 sibling. Both offer Memory Stick and SDHC storage, HDMI output, and 2.7-inch LCDs, but only the A390's does that groovy tilt and swivel thing. Also, the A390 is the only one that can do live view, letting you free yourself from squinting through the viewfinder. Other than that, the two share identical specs, and while their price surely won't be the same, Sony's not quite ready to tell us what that will be. Both are set to release this summer, which, you know, is right about now. Full PR details after the break.

Sony A290 and A390 DSLRs

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More style and value by Sony for first-time DSLR users Easy-to-use DSLR-A390 and DSLR-A290 with 14.2 megapixels
09 June 2010
• DSLR-A390 with 14.2 megapixels, Quick AF Live View and 6.7cm (2.7-inch) tilt LCD; DSLR-A290 with 14.2 megapixels
• Compact, stylish body with new grip design and revised button layout for comfortable handling
• Quick AF Live View with tilt LCD (α390) for live image preview with fast, accurate autofocus
• Friendly on-screen Help Guide and Graphic Display
• HDMI output and BRAVIA Sync

The α (Alpha) digital SLR range from Sony grows further with two stylish, affordable new entry-level cameras.

Ideal for first-time DSLR users, the DSLR-A390 (α390) and DSLR-A290 (α290) offer a dramatic step up in picture quality and creative options from point-and-shoot compact cameras. Just as importantly, they're beautifully easy to use, even if you've never handled a DSLR before.

With a resolution of 14.2 effective megapixels for flawless, low-noise images, both cameras offer the speedy shooting responses that are prized by DSLR users. The α390 adds the extra benefit of Quick AF Live View. This unique system teams the convenience of live image preview on the tilt-angle Clear Photo LCD with speedy, accurate phase-detection autofocus.

The most affordable new DSLR from Sony, the α290 offers the same 14.2 effective megapixel resolution as the α390 in a compact body that weighs just 456g (excluding battery and media).

Both cameras feature an attractive new grip design that allows even more comfortable handling. Upper control areas of both models have also been revised with a clear, uncluttered new button layout.

Even DSLR novices will find it brilliantly simple to explore the generous creative features of both new cameras. The intuitive Graphic Display makes it easy to understand the relation between shutter speed and aperture, plus the effects of your chosen exposure settings on the final picture. The Help Guide offers clear, concise explanations of camera functions, illustrated by a sample image to show the results you'll achieve. Quick access to shooting and playback function menus is streamlined by colourful on-screen icons.

The α390 and α290 include a mini-HDMI terminal for direct connection to any HD Ready TV (requires optional cable). Support for PhotoTV HD ensures even better-looking still image reproduction on compatible BRAVIA™ models. BRAVIA™ Sync allows control of slideshow and other camera playback functions in comfort using your TV remote.

The stylish, easy to use new α390 and α290 digital SLR cameras by Sony are available from summer 2010.

[laxic Posted Jun 9th 2010 7:55AM]

a390 vs nex 5 vs. Pentax kx.
Decisions, decisions.

[Atkins Posted Jun 9th 2010 7:59AM]

I hope sonyrumors are wrong about the prices, otherwise these cameras have no chance.

[tosvus Posted Jun 9th 2010 10:03AM]

@Atkins Where did you see the prices? I've been waiting for a new Sony DSLR to use with my lenses, but it still does not look like they included 1080p video, so these are a no-go for me, regardless of price...

[Atkins Posted Jun 9th 2010 11:38AM]

@tosvus Prices rumors:
http://sonyalpharumors.com/ok-now-the-a290-and-a390-are-official/
And another rumor of interest for you:
http://sonyalpharumors.com/sr5-sony-to-announce-the-first-two-pellix-cameras-at-photokina-in-september-the-a55-and-a33/
:)

[From My Cube Posted Jun 9th 2010 8:15AM]

A lot of people like to rip on the Sony Alpha line but I really like my A330, very easy to use and to get a tilting lcd and live view for under $500, IMHO was a good buy for a begginer DSLR

[Atkins Posted Jun 9th 2010 8:30AM]

@From My Cube There are good reasons for that and I say it as an Alpha user.

[airbag888 Posted Jun 9th 2010 10:22AM]

@Atkins NOW I know what you're using!! :p

[Atkins Posted Jun 9th 2010 11:39AM]

@airbag888 I also use Pentax :P

[gingerninja Posted Jun 9th 2010 9:29AM]

'letting you free yourself from squinting through the viewfinder'
...but, but, but...

Viewfinder > LCD

[Cynical Hippie Posted Jun 9th 2010 9:44AM]

Sony, stop releasing so many camera. Be like Nikon, release few good solid ones

[Jon AU Posted Jun 9th 2010 11:41PM]

...still no word on full HD recording...

[Clippy Posted Jun 10th 2010 2:41AM]

Anyone know how capable the HDMI output is? I'm looking for a DSLR that can act as a *really* high-end webcam for live video-processing work I'm doing, but nothing on the market does that well. All I want is uncompressed HD output on the HDMI port (either while recording or as a continuous monitor), *without* throwing UI clutter onto the HDMI output.