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Canon G16 vs Sony A290

Portability
85
Imaging
38
Features
62
Overall
47
Canon PowerShot G16 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Canon G16 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Canon G16
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 356g - 109 x 76 x 40mm
  • Introduced November 2013
  • Older Model is Canon G15
Sony A290
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Released June 2010
  • Superseded the Sony A230
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Canon G16 vs Sony A290 Overview

Here is a comprehensive overview of the Canon G16 and Sony A290, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Canon and Sony. The resolution of the G16 (12MP) and the A290 (14MP) is relatively well matched but the G16 (1/1.7") and A290 (APS-C) feature different sensor sizing.

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The G16 was released 3 years later than the A290 and that is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Canon G16 being a Compact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief overview of how the G16 grades vs the A290 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon G16 over the Sony A290

 G16 A290 
ReleasedNovember 2013June 2010Fresher by 43 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution922k230kClearer screen (+692k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Canon G16

 A290 G16 

Common features in the Canon G16 and Sony A290

 G16 A290 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Canon G16 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry your camera, you will have to think about its weight and proportions. The Canon G16 features exterior dimensions of 109mm x 76mm x 40mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 1.6") and a weight of 356 grams (0.78 lbs) whilst the Sony A290 has measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") having a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon G16 and Sony A290 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the G16 vs the A290.

Canon G16 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the G16 and A290 is 85 and 66 respectively.

Canon G16 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Canon G16 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to picture the gap between sensor sizing simply by checking a spec sheet. The graphic here will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the G16 and A290.

As you can see, both of the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The G16 due to its tinier sensor is going to make shooting bokeh more challenging and the Sony A290 will resolve extra detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures far more aggressively. The newer G16 provides an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Canon G16 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Canon G16 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon G16 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon G16 Portrait photography features
Sony A290 Portrait photography features
49
you can focus manually
above average flash sync (1/2,000s)
offers face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
65
manual focus
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detection focus
saves RAW formats
does not have liveview
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon G16
Street photography with Sony A290
58
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
more heavy than average (356 grams)
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Canon G16 Sports photography details
Sony A290 Sports photography details
44
image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking focus
better than average battery life (360 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
no phase detect AF
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
max frames per second very slow (3.0 fps)
bad battery (290 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon G16
Travel photography with Sony A290
64
better than average battery life (360 shots)
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
more heavy than average (356 grams)
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
53
good MP (14MP)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
bad battery (290 per charge)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon G16
Landscape photography with Sony A290
58
you can focus manually
pretty wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
better than average battery life (360 per charge)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
58
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is small (2.7 inches)
does not have liveview
bad battery (290 shots)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon G16 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A290 as a Vlogging camera
33
pretty wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no microphone support
more heavy than average (356g)
9
no video shooting
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Canon G16 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon G16 and Sony A290
 Canon PowerShot G16Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot G16 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2013-11-25 2010-06-09
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 6 Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 12800 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/1.8-2.8 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Crop factor 4.8 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 922k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT PureColor II G LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (tunnel) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 80 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 12.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.00 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Second Curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/2000 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 or 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 356g (0.78 pounds) 549g (1.21 pounds)
Dimensions 109 x 76 x 40mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 1.6") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 54 66
DXO Color Depth rating 21.0 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.7 11.5
DXO Low light rating 230 615
Other
Battery life 360 photographs 290 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-10L NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $499 $600