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Canon SX420 IS vs Sony W290

Portability
80
Imaging
45
Features
34
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX420 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Canon SX420 IS vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Canon SX420 IS
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-1008mm (F3.5-6.6) lens
  • 325g - 104 x 69 x 85mm
  • Released January 2016
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
  • Announced February 2009
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Canon SX420 IS vs Sony W290 Overview

On this page, we are reviewing the Canon SX420 IS vs Sony W290, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Canon and Sony. There exists a huge gap between the image resolutions of the SX420 IS (20MP) and W290 (12MP) but both cameras have the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX420 IS was released 6 years after the W290 which is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Canon SX420 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony W290 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a brief overview of how the SX420 IS matches up versus the W290 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX420 IS over the Sony W290

 SX420 IS W290 
AnnouncedJanuary 2016February 2009Newer by 84 months

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Canon SX420 IS

 W290 SX420 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX420 IS and Sony W290

 SX420 IS W290 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Canon SX420 IS vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera, you'll need to think about its weight and size. The Canon SX420 IS has got physical dimensions of 104mm x 69mm x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) whilst the Sony W290 has specifications of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX420 IS vs Sony W290 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are using at that time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the SX420 IS vs the W290.

Canon SX420 IS vs Sony W290 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX420 IS and W290 is 80 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX420 IS vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX420 IS vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is hard to see the gap between sensor dimensions merely by going over a spec sheet. The picture underneath should offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SX420 IS and W290.

As you can see, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Canon SX420 IS to offer more detail as a result of its extra 8MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop images more aggressively. The more modern SX420 IS is going to have an edge in sensor technology.

Canon SX420 IS vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Canon SX420 IS vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX420 IS vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Portrait photography features
Sony W290 Portrait photography features
44
manual focus
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
offers face detection focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
27
you can focus manually
no manual control
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Street photography features
Sony W290 Street photography features
52
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Sports photography info
Sony W290 Sports photography info
41
long zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
max fps very slow (0.5 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
low battery pack (195 shots)
lacks phase detect auto focus
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Travel photography info
Sony W290 Travel photography info
61
decent megapixels (20MP)
built-in flash
really wide (24mm)
very long reach (1008mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low battery pack (195 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
57
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Landscape photography advice
Sony W290 Landscape photography advice
46
manual focus
really wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (20MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not available
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
low battery pack (195 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
41
you can focus manually
rather wide (28mm)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Vlogging details
Sony W290 Vlogging details
29
really wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic jack
28
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic jack
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Canon SX420 IS vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX420 IS and Sony W290
 Canon PowerShot SX420 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Make Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SX420 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2016-01-05 2009-02-17
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5152 x 3864 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-1008mm (42.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-6.6 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range 0cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 2s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 0.5fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.00 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, flash on, slow synchro, flash off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 325 grams (0.72 lb) 167 grams (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 104 x 69 x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") 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 life 195 photos -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-11LH -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $299 $230