Drop an ARW RAW file from your Sony Alpha 290 and get the shutter actuation count in seconds — processed entirely in your browser. The DSLR-A290 stores its shutter count in unencrypted MakerNote tag 0x014a.
Check Shutter Count →The Sony Alpha 290 (DSLR-A290, 2010) was Sony's budget-focused entry-level A-mount DSLR for 2010, replacing the A230. Where the A230 used a 10.2 MP CCD sensor, the A290 upgraded to a 14.2 MP APS-C Exmor CMOS sensor, delivering improved dynamic range and better high-ISO performance. In-body Super SteadyShot IBIS is standard, and the A290 accepts all A-mount lenses including legacy Minolta AF glass. The camera omits live view to keep costs down, positioning it as a no-frills workhorse for beginners.
Sony rates the Alpha 290 mechanical shutter at 100,000 actuations.
| Model | Release | Sensor | Rated Shutter Life | RAW Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony Alpha 290 (DSLR-A290) | 2010 | 14.2 MP APS-C Exmor CMOS | 100,000 actuations | ARW |
| Sony Alpha 230 (DSLR-A230) (predecessor) | 2009 | 10.2 MP APS-C CCD | 100,000 actuations | ARW |
| Sony Alpha 390 (DSLR-A390) (tilting LCD sibling) | 2010 | 14.2 MP APS-C Exmor CMOS | 100,000 actuations | ARW |
| Actuation Count | % of Rated Life | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 10,000 | 0 – 10 % | Very low use — near new |
| 10,000 – 40,000 | 10 – 40 % | Low to moderate use |
| 40,000 – 75,000 | 40 – 75 % | Moderate to heavy use |
| 75,000 – 95,000 | 75 – 95 % | High use — negotiate price |
| 95,000 + | 95 %+ | Near or past rated life |
As a budget entry-level camera, the A290 was primarily sold to first-time DSLR buyers who typically accumulate lower shutter counts. Used bodies at moderate counts represent excellent value, especially for those already owning A-mount or Minolta AF lenses.
The Alpha 290 uses unencrypted Sony MakerNote tag 0x014a for the shutter count — the same tag used across the entire A100–A580 DSLR series. ShutterCount parses the ARW TIFF structure, locates this tag, and reads the counter directly. No cipher or decryption is needed.
No. The Alpha 290 does not include live view — this feature was omitted to keep production costs low. If live view is important to you, consider the Sony Alpha 390, which features the same Exmor CMOS sensor but adds a tilting 2.7-inch LCD with live view capability. The absence of live view has no effect on the shutter count or its storage location in tag 0x014a.
Yes. The A290 uses the Sony A-mount, which is mechanically and electronically compatible with Minolta AF (Maxxum / Dynax) lenses from 1985 onward. Super SteadyShot stabilisation works with all A-mount lenses, including legacy Minolta glass without stabilisation information embedded in the lens.