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Canon SX160 IS vs Sony W290

Portability
86
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42
Canon PowerShot SX160 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
28
Overall
32

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Canon SX160 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-448mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 291g - 111 x 73 x 44mm
  • Introduced June 2013
  • Earlier Model is Canon SX150 IS
  • Updated by Canon SX170 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
  • Launched February 2009
Photography Glossary

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony W290 Overview

Let's look a little more closely at the Canon SX160 IS vs Sony W290, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Canon and Sony. There is a large difference between the sensor resolutions of the SX160 IS (16MP) and W290 (12MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX160 IS was announced 4 years after the W290 which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick summation of how the SX160 IS scores vs the W290 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX160 IS over the Sony W290

 SX160 IS W290 
LaunchedJune 2013February 2009Newer by 53 months

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Canon SX160 IS

 W290 SX160 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX160 IS and Sony W290

 SX160 IS W290 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither has Touch friendly display

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon SX160 IS has physical dimensions of 111mm x 73mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") having a weight of 291 grams (0.64 lbs) while the Sony W290 has proportions of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SX160 IS vs Sony W290 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have during that time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the SX160 IS compared to the W290.

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony W290 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the SX160 IS and W290 is 86 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its hard to see the gap between sensor dimensions only by checking a spec sheet. The pic underneath will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX160 IS and W290.

Clearly, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You can anticipate the Canon SX160 IS to give you more detail with its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will help you crop images a bit more aggressively. The more recent SX160 IS will have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Portrait photography details
Sony W290 Portrait photography details
46
focusing manually
flash sync is higher than normal (1/2,000 seconds)
good resolution (16MP)
supports face detect focus
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
27
you can focus manually
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX160 IS as a Street photography camera
Sony W290 as a Street photography camera
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (291g)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Sports photography advice
Sony W290 Sports photography advice
51
amazing zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
supports tracking focus
good battery pack (380 per charge)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Travel photography information
Sony W290 Travel photography information
69
good battery pack (380 per charge)
lighter than competition (291g)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
very long zoom (448mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
does not feature selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.5)
57
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
low MP (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Landscape photography features
Sony W290 Landscape photography features
51
focusing manually
quite wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good battery pack (380 CIPA)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse recording
41
you can focus manually
fairly wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not possible
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX160 IS
Vlogging with Sony W290
31
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
lighter than competition (291g)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not feature selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone port
28
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic socket
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Canon SX160 IS vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX160 IS and Sony W290
 Canon PowerShot SX160 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Brand Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SX160 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2013-06-21 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 -
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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-448mm (16.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range 1cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 2 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/2000 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4
Mic port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 291g (0.64 lbs) 167g (0.37 lbs)
Physical dimensions 111 x 73 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 380 shots -
Battery type AA -
Battery ID 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail cost $199 $230