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Canon A495 vs Sony W290

Portability
93
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Canon PowerShot A495 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Canon A495 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Canon A495
(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
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 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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Canon A495 over the Sony W290

 A495 W290 
LaunchedJanuary 2010February 2009Fresher by 11 months

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Canon A495

 W290 A495 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution230k115kSharper screen (+115k dot)

Common features in the Canon A495 and Sony W290

 A495 W290 
Screen typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon A495 vs Sony W290 size comparison

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

Canon A495 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon A495 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A495 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A495 Portrait photography info
Sony W290 Portrait photography info
19
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
MP count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
27
manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon A495 Street photography highlights
Sony W290 Street photography highlights
46
no moving screen
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon A495
Sports photography with Sony W290
16
slow frames per second (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon A495
Travel photography with Sony W290
50
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
MP count low (10MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
57
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A495 Landscape photography features
Sony W290 Landscape photography features
22
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
manual exposure not available
no image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
41
manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
no manual exposure
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon A495
Vlogging with Sony W290
21
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of microphone socket
28
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic support
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Canon A495 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A495 and Sony W290
 Canon PowerShot A495Sony 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