Sony A290 has a
14.0MP APS-C (23.5 x 15.7 mm ) sized CCD sensor and features Bionz processor. On the other hand, Canon 400D has a
10.0MP APS-C (22.2 x 14.8 mm ) sized CMOS sensor .
Below you can see the A290 and 400D sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Sony A290 and Canon 400D Cameras
As seen above, Sony A290 has a 1.1x Larger sensor area than Canon 400D. Larger sensors give photographer more control on the depth of field and blurry background compared to smaller sensor when shot in same focal length and aperture.
DxOMark Sensor Scores
Both Sony A290 and Canon 400D sensors have been tested by DxoMark. DxoMark scores camera sensors for color depth (DXO Portrait), dynamic range (DXO Landscape) and low-light sensitivity (DXO Sports), and also gives them an overall score. Of the two cameras that we are comparing, A290 has scored 66, 4 points higher than 400D.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Sony A290
66
22.6 bits
11.5 Evs
615 ISO
Canon 400D
62
22.1 bits
11.0 Evs
664 ISO
Sensor size sets the circle of confusion, so it drives how much depth of field each
of these bodies gives you at a given aperture. You can calculate it exactly for the
Sony A290
or the
Canon 400D ,
including hyperfocal distance.
