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Nikon AW100 vs Sony W290

Portability
93
Imaging
39
Features
28
Overall
34
Nikon Coolpix AW100 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Nikon AW100 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Nikon AW100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.9-4.8) lens
  • 178g - 110 x 65 x 23mm
  • Introduced August 2011
  • Successor is Nikon AW110
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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Nikon AW100 vs Sony W290 Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Nikon AW100 vs Sony W290, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Nikon and Sony. There is a big difference among the image resolutions of the AW100 (16MP) and W290 (12MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The AW100 was released 2 years later than the W290 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a full comparison, here is a simple view of how the AW100 matches up against the W290 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon AW100 over the Sony W290

 AW100 W290 
RevealedAugust 2011February 2009More recent by 31 months
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Nikon AW100

 W290 AW100 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing

Common features in the Nikon AW100 and Sony W290

 AW100 W290 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Nikon AW100 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

If you're going to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Nikon AW100 offers exterior dimensions of 110mm x 65mm x 23mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 0.9") having a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs) while the Sony W290 has dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check out the Nikon AW100 vs Sony W290 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have at that moment. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the AW100 vs the W290.

Nikon AW100 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the AW100 and W290 is 93 and 94 respectively.

Nikon AW100 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Nikon AW100 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor measurements merely by going through specifications. The photograph here will help give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the AW100 and W290.

Plainly, both cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Nikon AW100 to produce more detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The younger AW100 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon AW100 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Nikon AW100 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon AW100 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon AW100 Portrait photography info
Sony W290 Portrait photography info
30
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
27
manual focus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon AW100
Street photography with Sony W290
55
environment proof
fixed screen
no image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon AW100
Sports photography with Sony W290
33
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
environment proof
slow fps (3.0 fps)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon AW100 Travel photography details
Sony W290 Travel photography details
67
environment proof
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
57
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon AW100
Landscape photography with Sony W290
41
quite wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
environment proof
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
manual exposure not possible
no image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
lack of Time Lapse recording
41
manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not available
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW100 Vlogging information
Sony W290 Vlogging information
29
quite wide (28mm)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
lack of external mic socket
28
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic socket
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Nikon AW100 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon AW100 and Sony W290
 Nikon Coolpix AW100Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Coolpix AW100 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Type Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-08-24 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 125 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.9-4.8 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range - 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 2s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 3.90 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720 (60 fps),640 x 480 (120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 178 gr (0.39 lbs) 167 gr (0.37 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 65 x 23mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 0.9") 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 model EN-EL12 -
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD / SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $299 $230