Nikon L120 vs Sony W290
75 Imaging
36 Features
38 Overall
36
94 Imaging
34 Features
28 Overall
31
Nikon L120 vs Sony W290 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
- 431g - 110 x 77 x 78mm
- Launched February 2011
- Old Model is Nikon L110
(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
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone Nikon L120 vs Sony W290 Overview
The following is a in depth overview of the Nikon L120 and Sony W290, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the L120 (14MP) and the W290 (12MP) is very well matched and both cameras offer the same sensor size (1/2.3").
Mastering Nature Photography with a Digital Microscope CameraThe L120 was brought out 2 years after the W290 which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before diving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the L120 grades against the W290 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards Nikon L120 vs Sony W290 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon Coolpix L120 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290. The entire galleries are provided at Nikon L120 Gallery & Sony W290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon L120 over the Sony W290
| L120 | W290 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | February 2011 | February 2009 | Newer by 25 months | |
| Display resolution | 921k | 230k | Clearer display (+691k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Nikon L120
| W290 | L120 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus | Dial precise focusing |
Common features in the Nikon L120 and Sony W290
| L120 | W290 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
| Display dimensions | 3" | 3" | Equal display size | |
| Selfie screen | Neither has selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly display | Neither has Touch friendly display |
Nikon L120 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera frequently, you have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Nikon L120 has outer measurements of 110mm x 77mm x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 431 grams (0.95 lbs) whilst the Sony W290 has dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Take a look at the Nikon L120 and Sony W290 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the L120 and the W290.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the L120 and W290 is 75 and 94 respectively.
Nikon L120 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it can be hard to envision the gap between sensor dimensions just by looking at a spec sheet. The pic below might give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the L120 and W290.
As you can see, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Nikon L120 to give greater detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics a bit more aggressively. The more recent L120 will have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.
Nikon L120 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthStreet Comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsSports Comparison
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a LandslideTravel Comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modesLandscape Comparison
Photography GlossaryVlogging Comparison
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban
Nikon L120 vs Sony W290 Specifications
| Nikon Coolpix L120 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Company | Nikon | Sony |
| Model | Nikon Coolpix L120 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 |
| Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
| Launched | 2011-02-09 | 2009-02-17 |
| Body design | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor | Expeed C2 | - |
| 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 area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 14 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Highest resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 4000 x 3000 |
| Highest native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
| Lowest native ISO | 80 | 80 |
| RAW data | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Single autofocus | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detection autofocus | ||
| Contract detection autofocus | ||
| Phase detection autofocus | ||
| Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens focal range | 25-525mm (21.0x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
| Largest aperture | f/3.1-5.8 | f/3.3-5.2 |
| Macro focus range | 1cm | 10cm |
| Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
| Screen resolution | 921 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch operation | ||
| Screen technology | TFT LCD with Anti-reflection coating | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 4 secs | 2 secs |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/1600 secs |
| Continuous shooting speed | 1.0fps | 2.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual exposure | ||
| Set white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash range | 6.00 m | 3.90 m |
| Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AEB | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment | ||
| Average | ||
| Spot | ||
| Partial | ||
| AF area | ||
| Center weighted | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
| Video file format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
| Mic jack | ||
| Headphone jack | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | None |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environment seal | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 431g (0.95 lb) | 167g (0.37 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 110 x 77 x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") | 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 | 330 photos | - |
| Battery form | AA | - |
| Battery model | 4 x AA | - |
| Self timer | Yes (10 or 2 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
| Storage slots | Single | Single |
| Launch price | $300 | $230 |