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Canon SX120 IS vs Sony W290

Portability
87
Imaging
33
Features
28
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SX120 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
28
Overall
32

Canon SX120 IS vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Canon SX120 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 36-360mm (F2.8-4.3) lens
  • 285g - 111 x 71 x 45mm
  • Announced August 2009
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
  • Announced February 2009
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Canon SX120 IS vs Sony W290 Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Canon SX120 IS vs Sony W290, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Canon and Sony. The resolution of the SX120 IS (10MP) and the W290 (12MP) is pretty comparable but the SX120 IS (1/2.5") and W290 (1/2.3") feature different sensor measurements.

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The SX120 IS was manufactured 7 months after the W290 so they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a brief overview of how the SX120 IS grades versus the W290 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Sony W290

 SX120 IS W290 
AnnouncedAugust 2009February 2009More modern by 7 months

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Canon SX120 IS

 W290 SX120 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX120 IS and Sony W290

 SX120 IS W290 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurements
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Canon SX120 IS vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry around your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and size. The Canon SX120 IS has got external measurements of 111mm x 71mm x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") and a weight of 285 grams (0.63 lbs) whilst the Sony W290 has specifications of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Examine the Canon SX120 IS vs Sony W290 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have at that moment. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the SX120 IS against the W290.

Canon SX120 IS vs Sony W290 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX120 IS and W290 is 87 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX120 IS vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very tough to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes only by going through specs. The pic here will give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SX120 IS and W290.

All in all, the 2 cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The SX120 IS due to its smaller sensor is going to make shooting bokeh tougher and the Sony W290 will produce greater detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures much more aggressively. The more recent SX120 IS provides an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX120 IS vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX120 IS vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Portrait photography info
Sony W290 Portrait photography info
33
has manual focus
above average flash sync speed (1/500s)
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.5")
lacks RAW files
27
you can focus manually
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Street photography highlights
Sony W290 Street photography highlights
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.5")
lacks RAW files
heavier than competitors (285g)
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Sports photography highlights
Sony W290 Sports photography highlights
26
has image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.5")
lacks phase detect auto focus
25
image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Travel photography information
Sony W290 Travel photography information
51
built-in flash
very long reach (360mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
heavier than competitors (285g)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (36mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
57
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse function
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX120 IS
Landscape photography with Sony W290
36
has manual focus
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (36mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.5")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
41
you can focus manually
rather wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not available
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Vlogging highlights
Sony W290 Vlogging highlights
23
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (36mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have external mic support
heavier than competitors (285g)
28
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone socket
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Canon SX120 IS vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX120 IS and Sony W290
 Canon PowerShot SX120 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SX120 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-08-19 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.5" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 5.744 x 4.308mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 24.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 36-360mm (10.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-4.3 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range 1cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 6.3 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 2 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2500 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.00 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/500 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 285g (0.63 lbs) 167g (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 111 x 71 x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery model 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $249 $230