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Canon SD1200 IS vs Sony W290

Portability
95
Imaging
32
Features
17
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Canon SD1200 IS vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Canon SD1200 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-105mm (F2.8-4.9) lens
  • 160g - 86 x 55 x 22mm
  • Revealed February 2009
  • Also Known as Digital IXUS 95 IS
Sony W290
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 98 x 57 x 23mm
  • Introduced February 2009
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Canon SD1200 IS vs Sony W290 Overview

Following is a in-depth analysis of the Canon SD1200 IS vs Sony W290, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Canon and Sony. The resolution of the SD1200 IS (10MP) and the W290 (12MP) is very comparable and they feature the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SD1200 IS was brought out about the same time to the W290 so they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a brief overview of how the SD1200 IS matches up vs the W290 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD1200 IS over the Sony W290

 SD1200 IS W290 

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Canon SD1200 IS

 W290 SD1200 IS 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")

Common features in the Canon SD1200 IS and Sony W290

 SD1200 IS W290 
IntroducedFebruary 2009February 2009Same generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Canon SD1200 IS vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to consider its weight and size. The Canon SD1200 IS provides outside dimensions of 86mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.4" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Sony W290 has specifications of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Compare the Canon SD1200 IS vs Sony W290 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the SD1200 IS vs the W290.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Sony W290 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SD1200 IS and W290 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD1200 IS vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes purely by checking out specs. The image below will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD1200 IS and W290.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Sony W290 to show more detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images a little more aggressively.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Canon SD1200 IS vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD1200 IS vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Portrait photography advice
Sony W290 Portrait photography advice
24
features face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
no external flash support
low resolution (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
27
you can focus manually
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Street photography factors
Sony W290 Street photography factors
56
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Sports photography details
Sony W290 Sports photography details
24
image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
low resolution (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SD1200 IS
Travel photography with Sony W290
51
has built in flash
missing Timelapse function
low resolution (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
57
has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse function
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W290 as a Landscape photography camera
26
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5")
no manual control
low resolution (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Timelapse function
41
you can focus manually
quite wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not available
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS as a Vlogging camera
Sony W290 as a Vlogging camera
27
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (640 x 480 pxls)
missing external microphone socket
28
quite wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic jack
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Canon SD1200 IS vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD1200 IS and Sony W290
 Canon PowerShot SD1200 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Brand Name Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Also referred to as Digital IXUS 95 IS -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2009-02-18 2009-02-17
Body design 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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 35-105mm (3.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-4.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range 3cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 2 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
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 input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 160g (0.35 pounds) 167g (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 86 x 55 x 22mm (3.4" x 2.2" x 0.9") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 life 260 photographs -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-6L -
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $250 $230