Sony Alpha 290

The Alpha 290 is an APS-C DSLR that Sony launched in 2010. It pairs a CCD sensor with the Alpha DT lens mount, so the whole DT lens range is available as your kit grows.

This is a stills camera in the straightforward sense. It records no video, and its shooting pace is unhurried, which suits photographers who compose deliberately rather than chase fast action.

At 549 g and 128 x 97 x 86 mm, the body is a comfortable size to carry, and the optical viewfinder gives a direct view of the scene. Anyone moving to this camera today should treat it as an uncomplicated tool for still photography.

The 14.2-megapixel APS-C sensor provides enough resolution for everyday prints and comfortable cropping. The Bionz processor handles the files, and the sensor itself is a CCD design.

The built-in stabilisation is the standout optics feature. Because it moves the sensor rather than relying on lens elements, every Alpha DT lens you attach benefits. That helps you shoot handheld at slower shutter speeds with less camera shake.

There are limits to plan around. The ISO range runs from 100 to 3200, so sensitivity headroom for dim interiors is limited. The top shutter speed of 1/4000 sec is fine for most daylight work.

Shooting pace is slow. At a maximum of 2.5 frames per second, with nine autofocus points, the camera rewards considered compositions over burst-heavy subjects. The optical pentamirror viewfinder keeps framing immediate.

The Alpha 290 does not record video at all. Sony designed it purely for still photography, so there are no movie modes, frame rates or clip settings to describe.

There is also no built-in timelapse function, so interval-style projects would need external triggering or manual shooting.

A flip-out screen and live view are present, but they serve still composition rather than movie framing. The 290-shot battery rating likewise describes still photographs, not clips.

The features score of 34 is limited, and the camera sits in the bottom 15% of cameras in our database for Features. The shortfalls span several areas: there is no weather sealing, no touch input and no Bluetooth, and each absence counted against the score.

The screen illustrates the mix. The 2.7-inch LCD flips out, which helps with overhead or waist-level shots, and live view is available for tripod work. At 230,400 dots, its resolution is modest.

There is no Wi-Fi or GPS either. Images cannot be transferred wirelessly, and wireless remote control is not an option.

Lighting options are better than the rest of the feature list suggests. A built-in flash covers quick indoor fill, and an external flash can be attached when you want more power or bounce.

The storage and battery score of 16 is limited. There is a single card slot, so dual-card backup is not an option, and that absence is one reason the score sits low.

On the plus side, that one slot accepts both SD/SDHC cards and Memory Stick Pro Duo or Pro-HG Duo media, which gives you flexibility in what cards you buy or already own.

The NP-FH50 battery is rated at 290 shots. That figure is on the low side, so a charged spare makes sense for long shooting days.

There is no USB charging, so the battery cannot be topped up over a USB cable while you are out.