Clicky

Nikon L26 vs Sony W290

Portability
93
Imaging
39
Features
24
Overall
33
Nikon Coolpix L26 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Nikon L26 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Nikon L26
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.2-6.5) lens
  • 164g - 96 x 60 x 29mm
  • Released February 2012
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
  • Launched February 2009
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Nikon L26 vs Sony W290 Overview

Below, we are matching up the Nikon L26 vs Sony W290, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. There exists a significant gap among the resolutions of the L26 (16MP) and W290 (12MP) but they come with the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The L26 was revealed 2 years after the W290 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a in-depth comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the L26 grades versus the W290 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

        

Reasons to pick Nikon L26 over the Sony W290

 L26 W290 
LaunchedFebruary 2012February 2009More modern by 36 months

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Nikon L26

 W290 L26 
Manually focus More exact focus

Common features in the Nikon L26 and Sony W290

 L26 W290 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display dimensions
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Nikon L26 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry around your camera often, you should think about its weight and proportions. The Nikon L26 comes with outer measurements of 96mm x 60mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs) and the Sony W290 has measurements 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 Nikon L26 vs Sony W290 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. The following is the front view size comparison of the L26 against the W290.

Nikon L26 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the L26 and W290 is 93 and 94 respectively.

Nikon L26 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L26 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its hard to envision the contrast in sensor sizes simply by researching specs. The picture below should give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the L26 and W290.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Nikon L26 to provide you with extra detail because of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos much more aggressively. The younger L26 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon L26 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Nikon L26 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L26 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L26 Portrait photography features
Sony W290 Portrait photography features
34
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
provides face detect focusing
manual focus not available
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
27
focusing manually
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Street Comparison

Nikon L26 Street photography info
Sony W290 Street photography info
47
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Sports Comparison

Nikon L26 Sports photography advice
Sony W290 Sports photography advice
27
MP count decent (16MP)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery (200 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect AF
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Travel Comparison

Nikon L26 Travel photography details
Sony W290 Travel photography details
62
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (26mm)
no Timelapse mode
not so great battery (200 per charge)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
57
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.3)
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Landscape Comparison

Nikon L26 Landscape photography details
Sony W290 Landscape photography details
37
really wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
MP count decent (16MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
not so great battery (200 CIPA)
no Timelapse mode
41
focusing manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L26 Vlogging features
Sony W290 Vlogging features
28
really wide (26mm)
provides face detect focusing
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone socket
28
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic support
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Nikon L26 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L26 and Sony W290
 Nikon Coolpix L26Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Brand Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Coolpix L26 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2012-02-01 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-130mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.2-6.5 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance 10cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 2 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate - 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4 MPEG-4
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 164 grams (0.36 lb) 167 grams (0.37 lb)
Dimensions 96 x 60 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 life 200 shots -
Battery style AA -
Battery ID 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $70 $230