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Leica C vs Sony W290

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
59
Overall
45
Leica C front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
28
Overall
32

Leica C vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Leica C
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400 (Raise to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-200mm (F2.0-5.9) lens
  • 195g - 103 x 63 x 28mm
  • Released September 2013
  • Additionally referred to as Typ112
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
  • Revealed February 2009
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Leica C vs Sony W290 Overview

The following is a in depth comparison of the Leica C and Sony W290, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by companies Leica and Sony. The image resolution of the C (12MP) and the W290 (12MP) is pretty similar but the C (1/1.7") and W290 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor sizes.

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The C was announced 4 years after the W290 which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the C scores against the W290 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Leica C over the Sony W290

 C W290 
RevealedSeptember 2013February 2009Newer by 56 months
Screen resolution920k230kSharper screen (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Leica C

 W290 C 

Common features in the Leica C and Sony W290

 C W290 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Leica C vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to travel with your camera often, you have to think about its weight and measurements. The Leica C has outside measurements of 103mm x 63mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") having a weight of 195 grams (0.43 lbs) whilst the Sony W290 has proportions 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 Leica C and Sony W290 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the C vs the W290.

Leica C vs Sony W290 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the C and W290 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Leica C vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Leica C vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very difficult to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions only by going over a spec sheet. The image here should offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the C and W290.

As you can see, both the cameras come with the identical megapixels albeit not the same sensor dimensions. The C includes the bigger sensor which is going to make obtaining shallower DOF less difficult. The more recent C will have an edge in sensor tech.

Leica C vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Leica C vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica C vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica C Portrait photography features
Sony W290 Portrait photography features
42
manual focus
offers face detect focus
saves RAW files
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
27
has manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
low resolution (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Leica C as a Street photography camera
Sony W290 as a Street photography camera
65
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Leica C Sports photography highlights
Sony W290 Sports photography highlights
38
image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking focus
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
lacks phase detect auto focus
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Leica C as a Travel photography camera
Sony W290 as a Travel photography camera
64
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
lack of Timelapse function
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
57
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Leica C
Landscape photography with Sony W290
54
manual focus
really wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
lack of Timelapse function
41
has manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
no manual mode
low resolution (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica C as a Vlogging camera
Sony W290 as a Vlogging camera
39
really wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have microphone port
screen isn't selfie friendly
28
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic socket
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Leica C vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica C and Sony W290
 Leica CSony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Make Leica Sony
Model Leica C Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Also referred to as Typ112 -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2013-09-08 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 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 resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Highest boosted ISO 12800 -
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-200mm (7.1x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.0-5.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range 3cm 10cm
Crop factor 4.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 920k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 200k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 1 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 2 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 10.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 7.00 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD 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 195g (0.43 lb) 167g (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 103 x 63 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") 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 250 photos -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $1,299 $230