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Canon A3200 IS vs Sony W290

Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
31
Overall
34
Canon PowerShot A3200 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Canon A3200 IS vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Canon A3200 IS
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F) lens
  • 149g - 95 x 57 x 24mm
  • Revealed January 2011
Sony W290
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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 A3200 IS vs Sony W290 Overview

On this page, we will be looking at the Canon A3200 IS vs Sony W290, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by competitors Canon and Sony. The image resolution of the A3200 IS (14MP) and the W290 (12MP) is pretty similar and both cameras provide the same sensor size (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The A3200 IS was brought out 23 months later than the W290 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a short overview of how the A3200 IS scores vs the W290 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3200 IS over the Sony W290

 A3200 IS W290 
LaunchedJanuary 2011February 2009More recent by 23 months

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Canon A3200 IS

 W290 A3200 IS 
Manually focus More exact focusing
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Canon A3200 IS and Sony W290

 A3200 IS W290 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Canon A3200 IS vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

If you are going to lug around your camera frequently, you're going to have to think about its weight and size. The Canon A3200 IS features outside measurements of 95mm x 57mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 149 grams (0.33 lbs) and the Sony W290 has specifications of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Compare the Canon A3200 IS vs Sony W290 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have during that time. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the A3200 IS compared to the W290.

Canon A3200 IS vs Sony W290 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A3200 IS and W290 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Canon A3200 IS vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Canon A3200 IS vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to see the difference between sensor measurements simply by reading specs. The graphic underneath will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the A3200 IS and W290.

All in all, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Canon A3200 IS to deliver more detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more modern A3200 IS will have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon A3200 IS vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Canon A3200 IS vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3200 IS vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3200 IS Portrait photography factors
Sony W290 Portrait photography factors
33
decent megapixels (14MP)
supports face detect focus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
27
focusing manually
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon A3200 IS Street photography highlights
Sony W290 Street photography highlights
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon A3200 IS Sports photography factors
Sony W290 Sports photography factors
39
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
low fps (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3200 IS as a Travel photography camera
Sony W290 as a Travel photography camera
71
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
57
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
no Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A3200 IS Landscape photography info
Sony W290 Landscape photography info
42
pretty wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
41
focusing manually
relatively wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not possible
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3200 IS as a Vlogging camera
Sony W290 as a Vlogging camera
34
pretty wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic jack
28
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone jack
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Canon A3200 IS vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3200 IS and Sony W290
 Canon PowerShot A3200 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Brand Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot A3200 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-01-05 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range 3cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 2 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Smart Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 149g (0.33 pounds) 167g (0.37 pounds)
Physical dimensions 95 x 57 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 NB-8L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HCMMCplus Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $230 $230