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Nikon L120 vs Sony W290

Portability
75
Imaging
36
Features
38
Overall
36
Nikon Coolpix L120 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Nikon L120 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Nikon L120
(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
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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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").

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The 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.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L120 over the Sony W290

 L120 W290 
RevealedFebruary 2011February 2009Newer by 25 months
Display resolution921k230kClearer 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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Nikon L120 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the L120 and W290 is 75 and 94 respectively.

Nikon L120 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Nikon L120 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L120 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L120 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W290 as a Portrait photography camera
33
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
features face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
27
focusing manually
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon L120
Street photography with Sony W290
48
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L120 Sports photography advice
Sony W290 Sports photography advice
43
excellent zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
features tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L120 Travel photography highlights
Sony W290 Travel photography highlights
60
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
very long zoom (525mm)
missing Timelapse recording
doesn't have selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
57
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L120 Landscape photography advice
Sony W290 Landscape photography advice
40
fairly wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Timelapse recording
41
focusing manually
pretty wide (28mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L120 Vlogging factors
Sony W290 Vlogging factors
27
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect focus
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone port
28
pretty wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic port
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Nikon L120 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L120 and Sony W290
 Nikon Coolpix L120Sony 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