Canon SD960 IS vs Sony W290
95 Imaging
34 Features
27 Overall
31


94 Imaging
34 Features
28 Overall
31
Canon SD960 IS vs Sony W290 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Canon SD960 IS vs Sony W290 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SD960 IS & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290. The full galleries are provided at Canon SD960 IS Gallery & Sony W290 Gallery.
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 size | 3" | ![]() | 2.8" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Common features in the Canon SD960 IS and Sony W290
SD960 IS | W290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | February 2009 | ![]() | February 2009 | Same age |
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Equal 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD960 IS vs Sony W290 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SD960 IS | Sony 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 |