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Nikon L22 vs Sony W290

Portability
93
Imaging
34
Features
14
Overall
26
Nikon Coolpix L22 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Nikon L22 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Nikon L22
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 37-134mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
  • 183g - 98 x 61 x 28mm
  • Launched February 2010
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
  • Released February 2009
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Nikon L22 vs Sony W290 Overview

Below, we are reviewing the Nikon L22 versus Sony W290, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. The image resolution of the L22 (12MP) and the W290 (12MP) is very well matched and they feature the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The L22 was released 12 months after the W290 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before going in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the L22 grades against the W290 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L22 over the Sony W290

 L22 W290 
ReleasedFebruary 2010February 2009More modern by 12 months

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Nikon L22

 W290 L22 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing

Common features in the Nikon L22 and Sony W290

 L22 W290 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurements
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Nikon L22 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry around your camera, you will have to factor its weight and size. The Nikon L22 offers outside dimensions of 98mm x 61mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 183 grams (0.40 lbs) whilst the Sony W290 has specifications of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon L22 versus Sony W290 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are using during that time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the L22 vs the W290.

Nikon L22 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the L22 and W290 is 93 and 94 respectively.

Nikon L22 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L22 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very tough to see the gap between sensor sizes simply by looking at technical specs. The pic below may give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the L22 and W290.

As you can tell, the two cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the same exact megapixels therefore you should expect similar quality of images though you may want to take the release date of the products into consideration. The younger L22 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon L22 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Nikon L22 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L22 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L22 Portrait photography details
Sony W290 Portrait photography details
20
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
27
manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon L22 Street photography information
Sony W290 Street photography information
46
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
56
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L22 Sports photography details
Sony W290 Sports photography details
17
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
25
image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L22 Travel photography details
Sony W290 Travel photography details
50
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse function
low MP (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
57
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
no Timelapse function
low resolution (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L22 Landscape photography features
Sony W290 Landscape photography features
27
nice screen size (3 inches)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual mode
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
41
manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not possible
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon L22
Vlogging with Sony W290
22
wide angle not great (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have external mic socket
28
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone port
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Nikon L22 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L22 and Sony W290
 Nikon Coolpix L22Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Coolpix L22 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2010-02-03 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 measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-134mm (3.6x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-6.7 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance 5cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8s 2s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed - 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 183g (0.40 lb) 167g (0.37 lb)
Dimensions 98 x 61 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery ID 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $130 $230