Canon A495 vs Sony W290
93 Imaging
33 Features
10 Overall
23


94 Imaging
34 Features
28 Overall
31
Canon A495 vs Sony W290 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- 640 x 480 video
- 37-122mm (F3.0-5.8) lens
- 175g - 94 x 62 x 31mm
- Revealed January 2010
(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

Canon A495 vs Sony W290 Overview
In this article, we will be reviewing the Canon A495 vs Sony W290, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Canon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the A495 (10MP) and the W290 (12MP) is pretty comparable and they possess the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

The A495 was announced 11 months later than the W290 and they are both of a similar age. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before going in to a more detailed comparison, below is a short overview of how the A495 grades versus the W290 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon A495 vs Sony W290 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot A495 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290. The whole galleries are available at Canon A495 Gallery & Sony W290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A495 over the Sony W290
A495 | W290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2010 | ![]() | February 2009 | Fresher by 11 months |
Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Canon A495
W290 | A495 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very exact focus | ||
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 115k | Sharper screen (+115k dot) |
Common features in the Canon A495 and Sony W290
A495 | W290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither comes with selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lack of Touch screen |
Canon A495 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison
For those who are looking to carry your camera often, you will have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Canon A495 comes with outer dimensions of 94mm x 62mm x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs) while the Sony W290 has measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Check the Canon A495 vs Sony W290 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are using at that moment. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the A495 and the W290.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the A495 and W290 is 93 and 94 respectively.

Canon A495 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it's difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing purely by going through technical specs. The visual below may give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the A495 and W290.
As you have seen, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Sony W290 to produce extra detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The newer A495 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon A495 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A495 vs Sony W290 Specifications
Canon PowerShot A495 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Sony |
Model type | Canon PowerShot A495 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2010-01-05 | 2009-02-17 |
Physical type | 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 | 10 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 37-122mm (3.3x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.0-5.8 | f/3.3-5.2 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 10cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 2.5 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 115k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15 seconds | 2 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0 frames per sec | 2.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.00 m | 3.90 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
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 data format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 175g (0.39 pounds) | 167g (0.37 pounds) |
Dimensions | 94 x 62 x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") | 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 or 10 sec, Custom, Face) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch cost | $109 | $230 |