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Canon SX280 HS vs Sony W290

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Canon SX280 HS vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Canon SX280 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.5-6.8) lens
  • 233g - 106 x 63 x 33mm
  • Announced March 2013
  • Superseded the Canon SX270 HS
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
  • Introduced February 2009
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Canon SX280 HS vs Sony W290 Overview

Below is a in-depth assessment of the Canon SX280 HS vs Sony W290, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Canon and Sony. The resolution of the SX280 HS (12MP) and the W290 (12MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras boast the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX280 HS was released 4 years later than the W290 and that is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving into a complete comparison, here is a concise overview of how the SX280 HS scores vs the W290 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX280 HS over the Sony W290

 SX280 HS W290 
IntroducedMarch 2013February 2009More recent by 50 months
Screen resolution461k230kCrisper screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Canon SX280 HS

 W290 SX280 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX280 HS and Sony W290

 SX280 HS W290 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Canon SX280 HS vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to lug around your camera often, you will have to think about its weight and measurements. The Canon SX280 HS enjoys outside measurements of 106mm x 63mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 233 grams (0.51 lbs) and the Sony W290 has proportions of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Look at the Canon SX280 HS vs Sony W290 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Below is a front view size comparison of the SX280 HS compared to the W290.

Canon SX280 HS vs Sony W290 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX280 HS and W290 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX280 HS vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX280 HS vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's tough to see the contrast between sensor measurements purely by checking a spec sheet. The graphic underneath will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SX280 HS and W290.

As you can see, the 2 cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same megapixels so you should expect similar quality of images though you should really factor the production date of the products into consideration. The younger SX280 HS is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX280 HS vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Canon SX280 HS vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX280 HS vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX280 HS as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W290 as a Portrait photography camera
34
has manual focus
provides face detection focusing
no external flash support
low MP (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
27
manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Street photography advice
Sony W290 Street photography advice
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (233 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Sports photography factors
Sony W290 Sports photography factors
36
long zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (210 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Travel photography features
Sony W290 Travel photography features
61
lighter than competition in class (233g)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
great reach (500mm)
no Time Lapse recording
not so great battery life (210 CIPA)
low MP (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
57
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX280 HS as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W290 as a Landscape photography camera
41
has manual focus
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
not so great battery life (210 per charge)
no Time Lapse recording
41
manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Vlogging features
Sony W290 Vlogging features
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (233 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
no external mic support
28
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone port
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Canon SX280 HS vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX280 HS and Sony W290
 Canon PowerShot SX280 HSSony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Company Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SX280 HS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2013-03-21 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 6 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-500mm (20.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-6.8 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance 5cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 461k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 2 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 4.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 233g (0.51 lb) 167g (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 63 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") 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 210 photographs -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-6L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $325 $230