June 8th, 2010 Sony today introduced two updated versions of their existing Alpha A230 and Alpha A380 digital SLR cameras, in the form of the new Sony Alpha A290 and the Alpha A390.

Both the Sony Alpha A290 and the A390 now feature an enhanced grip design and the same 14.2 megapixel resolution sensor. The Sony Alpha A390 features Sony's Quick Live View AF and a tiltable 2.7-inch LCD screen with 230K resolution. The Sony Alpha A290 features a fixed 2.7-inch LCD with the same 230K resolution. Upper control areas of both models have also been revised with a clear, uncluttered new button layout.

Sony Alpha A290 and A390 Main Features:

• New ergonomic grip design and simplified buttons and controls compared to the Sony Alpha A380 DSLR



• Both the Sony Alpha A290 and the A390 digital SLR's incorporate a 14.2 megapixel sensor and Sony's Steadyshot in-camera image stabilization system designed to offer vibration reduction when used with any compatible lens



• 9-point AF system and compatible with Sony Alpha lenses and Konica / Minolta mount AF lenses



• Shoot in RAW, JPEG + RAW or JPEG file format



• Select fully Automatic operation (Green Auto), Auto Scene mode or from Manual (M), Program (P), Shutter (S) or Aperture (A) priority exposure modes for extended creative control. Set by using top left exposure mode control dial as seen below

Sony Alpha A390 Top

Sony Alpha A290 Top

• The Sony Alpha A390 DSLR differs from the Sony A290 in that the A390 allows for LiveView viewing on the LCD monitor a feature that the A290 does not offer. The Sony Alpha A390 also offers a live histogram option in LiveView mode to assist in achieving best exposure



• Both the Sony A290 and the Alpha A390 feature a 2.7-inch LCD monitor with 230,000 pixel resolution. The screen on the Sony A390 differs in that the screen is tiltable for easier viewing when shooting at certain angles



• Built-in pop-up flash with AF assist strobe feature (flash must be raised for AF assist). Hotshoe for dedicated Sony Alpha external flash units

Sony Alpha A390 with Tilt LCD

• The Sony Alpha A290 offers a larger pentamirror viewfinder than the viewfinder found in the Sony A390. The viewfinder magnification on the A290 is 0.83x compared to 0.74x on the Sony Alpha A390 digital SLR



• Both the A290 and the A390 are able to shoot up to 2.5 frames per second (fps) in continuous shooting mode. On the Sony Alpha A390 the continuous shooting frame frate drops to 2 fps when LiveView mode is activated



• Selectable ISO sensitivity settings from 100 to 3200 ISO in one stop increments or Auto ISO setting



• Both cameras come supplied with a dedicated Sony Lithium-Ion battery pack NP-FH50 which offers approximately 500 shots per charge

• Images can be stored on either more common Secure Digital (SD / SDHC) memory cards or Sony Memory Stick Pro Duo memory cards



• Both the Sony Alpha A290 and the A390 digital SLR camera feature an HDMI video output port for connecting the camera directly to a big screen TV or computer monitor



• The Sony Alpha A290 and the A390 are expected to retail for $499 and $599 US respectively in kit form with the Sony DT 18-55mm Lens

Compare Sony Alpha A380 SLR Deal with Sony DT 18-55mm Zoom Lens (US)

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