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Canon S95 vs Sony W290

Portability
93
Imaging
34
Features
42
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot S95 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Canon S95 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Canon S95
(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
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 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.

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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.

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Reasons to pick Canon S95 over the Sony W290

 S95 W290 
LaunchedNovember 2010February 2009More recent by 22 months
Screen resolution461k230kClearer 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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon S95 vs Sony W290 size comparison

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

Canon S95 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon S95 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon S95 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon S95 Portrait photography features
Sony W290 Portrait photography features
40
you can focus manually
above average flash sync (1/500s)
supports RAW files
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
27
manual focus
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon S95 Street photography details
Sony W290 Street photography details
65
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon S95 Sports photography information
Sony W290 Sports photography information
27
image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
no phase detect AF
25
image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon S95 Travel photography info
Sony W290 Travel photography info
64
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
no Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
57
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon S95 Landscape photography advice
Sony W290 Landscape photography advice
52
you can focus manually
rather wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
no Timelapse recording
41
manual focus
really wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not possible
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon S95 as a Vlogging camera
Sony W290 as a Vlogging camera
32
rather wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Optical)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone support
28
really wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone jack
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Canon S95 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon S95 and Sony W290
 Canon PowerShot S95Sony 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