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Canon A2100 IS vs Sony W290

Portability
92
Imaging
34
Features
20
Overall
28
Canon PowerShot A2100 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Canon A2100 IS vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Canon A2100 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 36-216mm (F3.2-5.9) lens
  • 185g - 102 x 64 x 32mm
  • Revealed February 2009
Sony W290
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 98 x 57 x 23mm
  • Launched February 2009
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Canon A2100 IS vs Sony W290 Overview

The following is a extended analysis of the Canon A2100 IS vs Sony W290, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by rivals Canon and Sony. The resolution of the A2100 IS (12MP) and the W290 (12MP) is fairly comparable and they feature the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The A2100 IS was brought out within a month of the W290 and they are of a similar generation. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the A2100 IS matches up vs the W290 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon A2100 IS over the Sony W290

 A2100 IS W290 

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Canon A2100 IS

 W290 A2100 IS 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing

Common features in the Canon A2100 IS and Sony W290

 A2100 IS W290 
LaunchedFebruary 2009February 2009Same generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Canon A2100 IS vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to travel with your camera, you'll have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Canon A2100 IS provides physical measurements of 102mm x 64mm x 32mm (4.0" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) whilst the Sony W290 has measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

See the Canon A2100 IS vs Sony W290 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you use at the time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the A2100 IS versus the W290.

Canon A2100 IS vs Sony W290 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the A2100 IS and W290 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Canon A2100 IS vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Canon A2100 IS vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is difficult to visualise the difference in sensor dimensions simply by going through specifications. The pic here will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the A2100 IS and W290.

To sum up, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact MP and you should expect comparable quality of files however you need to consider the release date of the cameras into account.

Canon A2100 IS vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Canon A2100 IS vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A2100 IS vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A2100 IS Portrait photography info
Sony W290 Portrait photography info
26
features face detection focus
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
27
has manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon A2100 IS Street photography features
Sony W290 Street photography features
55
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon A2100 IS Sports photography information
Sony W290 Sports photography information
25
image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon A2100 IS Travel photography information
Sony W290 Travel photography information
50
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (36mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
57
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A2100 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W290 as a Landscape photography camera
31
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (36mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
manual mode not possible
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
41
has manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A2100 IS Vlogging info
Sony W290 Vlogging info
27
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
wide angle not good (36mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
missing external mic port
28
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic port
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Canon A2100 IS vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A2100 IS and Sony W290
 Canon PowerShot A2100 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Brand Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot A2100 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2009-02-18 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 36-216mm (6.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.2-5.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance 1cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 2s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 185 grams (0.41 lbs) 167 grams (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 102 x 64 x 32mm (4.0" x 2.5" x 1.3") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery ID 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch price $220 $230