Canon S95 vs Sony W290
93 Imaging
34 Features
42 Overall
37


94 Imaging
34 Features
28 Overall
31
Canon S95 vs Sony W290 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-105mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
- 195g - 100 x 58 x 30mm
- Revealed November 2010
- Earlier Model is Canon S90
- Replacement is Canon S100
(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 S95 vs Sony W290 Overview
In this write-up, we will be evaluating the Canon S95 versus Sony W290, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by competitors Canon and Sony. The resolution of the S95 (10MP) and the W290 (12MP) is pretty well matched but the S95 (1/1.7") and W290 (1/2.3") use different sensor size.

The S95 was launched 22 months later than the W290 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before going straight into a in depth comparison, below is a brief overview of how the S95 scores against the W290 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon S95 vs Sony W290 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot S95 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290. The complete galleries are available at Canon S95 Gallery and Sony W290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon S95 over the Sony W290
S95 | W290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | November 2010 | ![]() | February 2009 | More recent by 22 months |
Screen resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Canon S95
W290 | S95 |
---|
Common features in the Canon S95 and Sony W290
S95 | W290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very accurate focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Absent Touch screen |
Canon S95 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison
In case you're planning to lug around your camera frequently, you're going to have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon S95 features physical dimensions of 100mm x 58mm x 30mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.2") and a weight of 195 grams (0.43 lbs) while the Sony W290 has dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Contrast the Canon S95 versus Sony W290 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you select at that moment. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the S95 against the W290.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the S95 and W290 is 93 and 94 respectively.

Canon S95 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it can be tough to picture the contrast between sensor measurements merely by looking at technical specs. The photograph underneath will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the S95 and W290.
As you have seen, each of the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The S95 due to its bigger sensor is going to make shooting bokeh less difficult and the Sony W290 will resolve greater detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more recent S95 provides a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Canon S95 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon S95 vs Sony W290 Specifications
Canon PowerShot S95 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Canon | Sony |
Model type | Canon PowerShot S95 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2010-11-23 | 2009-02-17 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Digic 4 | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/1.7" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 7.44 x 5.58mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 41.5mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-105mm (3.8x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/2.0-4.9 | f/3.3-5.2 |
Macro focusing range | 5cm | 10cm |
Crop factor | 4.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 461 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15s | 2s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/1600s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0fps | 2.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 6.50 m | 3.90 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/500s | - |
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) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | H.264 | MPEG-4 |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | 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 | 195g (0.43 pounds) | 167g (0.37 pounds) |
Dimensions | 100 x 58 x 30mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.2") | 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 47 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | 20.4 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.3 | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | 153 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery ID | NB-6L | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus card | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Storage slots | - | Single |
Launch pricing | $495 | $230 |