Capture life's moments with the extremely light and easy-to-use Sony alpha 290 digital SLR camera. Brimming with features, the alpha 290 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 alpha 290L has a bright 2.7" LCD and comes with an 18-55mm standard zoom lens.

Features

• 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
• 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
• Smallest, lightest alpha series body: The alpha 290 features the smallest and lightest body of any Sony (alpha) series camera for improved portability, as well as an intuitive button layout that allows for easy single-handed operation
• Integrated on-screen Help Guide and Graphic Display: 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
• 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)
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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.
• 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
• 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 adjust the contrast, saturation, and sharpness settings
• 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 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
• Dynamic Range Optimizer provides two levels - 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 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 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
• The alpha 290 comes with a SAL1855 DT 18-55mm standard zoom kit lens. This newly developed lens employs a Smooth Autofocus Motor to deliver smooth & silent autofocus operation & offers a flexible focal range that allows you to capture everything from wide angle to midrange telephoto shots with ease

Specifications

Power: Battery Type	NP-FH50
Number of Shots	Approx. 500 images with viewfinder, approx. 230 images in live view mode (CIPA standard)
Imaging Sensor: Processor	BIONZ image processor
LCD Display: Brightness Control	Selectable in 5 steps
Coverage	100% (Playback)
Customization	Display color (Black, White, Brown, Pink)
Type	2.7" TFT Clear Photo LCD (230,400 pixels)
Control: AF modes	Single-shot AF, Automatic AF, Continuous AF, (AF/MF selectable)
Drive Mode	Single-shot, Continuous, Self-timer, Self-timer Continuous, Bracketing, Remote Commander
Exposure Compensation	±2EV (in 0.3 EV steps)
Exposure settings	Auto, Auto Flash Off, Program Auto (P), Aperture priority (A), Shutter priority (S), Manual (M)
Focus Area	Wide (Up to 3 active focus points glow), Spot, Local (9 local areas selectable)
Focus Features	Predictive control, Focus lock, Eye-start AF, AF illuminator (Built-in flash, Range: approx. 1-5m)
Focus Points	9 points
Focus Sensitivity	EV0 - 18 (ISO100)
Focus System	TTL phase detection system
ISO	Auto, 100 to 3200 (in 1 EV steps,Recommended Exposure Index)
Metering	TTL metering w/ 40-segment honeycomb-pattern SPC
Metering Modes	Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot
Metering Sensitivity	EV1 - 20 at ISO100 with F1.4 lens, (EV3 - 20 in spot metering mode)
White Balance	Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom
Viewfinder: Diopter Adjustment	-2.5 - +1.0m-1
Eye relief	Approx. 16.5 mm from the eyepiece / 10.9 mm from the eyepiece frame at -1 diopter
Field of View	95%
Focusing Screen	Spherical Acute Matte Screen
Magnification	0.83x (with 50mm lens at infinity)
Type	Fixed eye-level, penta-Dach-mirror
Operating Temperature	32 - 104 degrees F (0 - 40 degrees C)
Convenience: Anti-dust function	Charge protection coating on low pass filter and image-sensor shift mechanism
BRAVIA Sync	Yes, via HDMI with compatible BRAVIA HDTV
Creative Style	Standard, Vivid, Portrait, Landscape, Night view, Sunset, B/W Contrast, Saturation, Sharpness
Scene Mode(s)	Scene selection (Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset, Night portrait/Night view)
User Interface	"Easy-to-understand Graphic Display and on-screen Help Guide User-friendly function menu"
Inputs and Outputs: HD Output	HDMI
Memory Card Slot	Dual memory card slot: Memory Stick PRO Duo media SD and SDHC memory card
Tripod Mount	Yes, 1/4"-20
USB Port(s)	USB2.0 Hi-speed (mass-storage, PTP)
Camera Type	Sony alpha Digital SLR camera with built-in flash and inter-changeable lenses
Color Filter System	RGB primary color filters
Effective Picture Resolution	Approx. 14.2 megapixels
Imaging Sensor	APS-C size CCD sensor (23.6x15.7mm)
Lens Mount Type	Sony alpha lens, Minolta and Konica Minolta AF lens
Pixel Gross	Approx. 14.9 megapixels
Recording Media Type	Memory Stick PRO Duo media / , SD and SDHC memory card
Recording Mode	RAW, RAW+JPEG, Fine, Standard
Still Actual 16:9	L size: 4592x2576 (12M), M size: 3408x1920 (6.5M), S size: 2288x1280 (2.9M)
Still Actual 3:2	L size: 4592x3056 (14M), M size: 3408x2272 (7.7M), S size: 2288x1520 (3.5M)
Flash Compensation	±2EV (in 0.3-stop increments)
Flash Coverage	18mm in focal-length of lens attached
Flash Metering System	ADI flash (automatic change for Pre-flash TTL)
Guide Number	10 (in meters at ISO100)
Modes	Auto, Fill-flash, Red-eye reduction, Rear sync, Slow sync, Hi-speed sync., Wireless
Recycling Time	Approx. 4 sec.
Type	Escamotable automatique
Operating System Compatibility	Microsoft Windows XP SP3/Windows Vista SP2/Windows 7 / Mac OS X v10.4 or later. 64-bit editions and Starter (Edition) are not supported. Starter (Edition) is not supported.
Supplied Software	PMB (Picture Motion Browser) Image Data Converter SR Image Data Lightbox SR
Dimensions (Approx.)	Approx. 128.1 x 97.1 x 79.6 mm (W/H/D, excluding protrusions)
Weight (Approx.)	Approx.456 g (without battery, memory card, accessories)

Includes

Sony Alpha A290 14.2 Megapixel DSLR Camera - DT18-55mm SAM Kit Lens - Shoulder Strap - USB Cable - BC-VH1 Battery Charger - Body Cap - NP-FH50 Rechargeable Battery - Software CD-ROM - Sony 1 Year Limited Warranty on Parts and Labor