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Canon SX510 HS vs Sony W290

Portability
80
Imaging
36
Features
41
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX510 HS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Canon SX510 HS vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Canon SX510 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.4-5.8) lens
  • 349g - 104 x 70 x 80mm
  • Revealed August 2013
  • Previous Model is Canon SX500 IS
  • New Model is Canon SX520 HS
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
  • Revealed February 2009
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Canon SX510 HS vs Sony W290 Overview

Lets look a little more closely at the Canon SX510 HS versus Sony W290, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Canon and Sony. The resolution of the SX510 HS (12MP) and the W290 (12MP) is fairly similar and they enjoy the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SX510 HS was brought out 4 years later than the W290 and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a short highlight of how the SX510 HS matches up versus the W290 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX510 HS over the Sony W290

 SX510 HS W290 
RevealedAugust 2013February 2009Fresher by 55 months
Display resolution461k230kSharper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Canon SX510 HS

 W290 SX510 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX510 HS and Sony W290

 SX510 HS W290 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Canon SX510 HS vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry your camera often, you should factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon SX510 HS provides exterior dimensions of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") and a weight of 349 grams (0.77 lbs) whilst the Sony W290 has proportions of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SX510 HS versus Sony W290 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen at the time. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the SX510 HS vs the W290.

Canon SX510 HS vs Sony W290 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX510 HS and W290 is 80 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX510 HS vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX510 HS vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is hard to imagine the difference between sensor sizing merely by going over technical specs. The graphic underneath should provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX510 HS and W290.

As you can tell, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same resolution so you should expect similar quality of files however you will want to consider the release date of the products into consideration. The more recent SX510 HS should have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX510 HS vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Canon SX510 HS vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX510 HS vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX510 HS Portrait photography information
Sony W290 Portrait photography information
34
has manual focus
includes face detect autofocus
can't use external flash
low resolution (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
27
you can focus manually
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX510 HS as a Street photography camera
Sony W290 as a Street photography camera
50
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX510 HS
Sports photography with Sony W290
36
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery life (250 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX510 HS Travel photography features
Sony W290 Travel photography features
54
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
great reach (720mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low battery life (250 CIPA)
low resolution (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
57
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX510 HS as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W290 as a Landscape photography camera
40
has manual focus
relatively wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
low battery life (250 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
41
you can focus manually
relatively wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual exposure
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX510 HS
Vlogging with Sony W290
31
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
does not have selfie friendly display
doesn't have mic jack
28
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic socket
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Canon SX510 HS vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX510 HS and Sony W290
 Canon PowerShot SX510 HSSony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Company Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SX510 HS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2013-08-22 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CMOS 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 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 1 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-720mm (30.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.4-5.8 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance 0cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 461 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 2s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.00 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, on, slow synchro, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic port
Headphone port
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 349 grams (0.77 lb) 167 grams (0.37 lb)
Dimensions 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 250 photographs -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-6LH -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $249 $230