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Canon SD960 IS vs Sony W290

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
27
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SD960 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Canon SD960 IS vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Canon SD960 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 145g - 98 x 54 x 22mm
  • Introduced February 2009
  • Additionally Known as Digital IXUS 110 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
  • Revealed February 2009
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Canon SD960 IS vs Sony W290 Overview

Let's look more in depth at the Canon SD960 IS and Sony W290, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Canon and Sony. The image resolution of the SD960 IS (12MP) and the W290 (12MP) is very comparable and both cameras boast the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SD960 IS was revealed at a similar time to the W290 so they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a complete comparison, here is a quick view of how the SD960 IS scores versus the W290 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Canon SD960 IS over the Sony W290

 SD960 IS W290 

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Canon SD960 IS

 W290 SD960 IS 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Display size3"2.8"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Canon SD960 IS and Sony W290

 SD960 IS W290 
RevealedFebruary 2009February 2009Same age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Canon SD960 IS vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to lug around your camera often, you should consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon SD960 IS features physical measurements of 98mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") and a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs) and 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).

Compare the Canon SD960 IS and Sony W290 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are working with during that time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the SD960 IS and the W290.

Canon SD960 IS vs Sony W290 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SD960 IS and W290 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Canon SD960 IS vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD960 IS vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's hard to envision the contrast in sensor measurements just by going through specs. The graphic below should give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SD960 IS and W290.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras feature the identical sensor size and the identical MP so you can expect comparable quality of files although you should factor the launch date of the cameras into account.

Canon SD960 IS vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Canon SD960 IS vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD960 IS vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD960 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W290 as a Portrait photography camera
26
has face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
27
you can focus manually
no manual mode
can't use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SD960 IS
Street photography with Sony W290
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD960 IS as a Sports photography camera
Sony W290 as a Sports photography camera
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
25
image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD960 IS Travel photography features
Sony W290 Travel photography features
58
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
57
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse recording
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD960 IS Landscape photography advice
Sony W290 Landscape photography advice
36
really wide (28mm)
nice screen size (2.8 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
no manual control
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
41
you can focus manually
pretty wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
no manual mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SD960 IS
Vlogging with Sony W290
30
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection autofocus
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic jack
28
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone socket
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Canon SD960 IS vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD960 IS and Sony W290
 Canon PowerShot SD960 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Brand Name Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SD960 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Also Known as Digital IXUS 110 IS -
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2009-02-18 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.8 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range 2cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.8" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 2 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 145g (0.32 pounds) 167g (0.37 pounds)
Physical dimensions 98 x 54 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.1" 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 ID NB-4L -
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at launch - $230