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Nikon S100 vs Sony W290

Portability
94
Imaging
38
Features
40
Overall
38
Nikon Coolpix S100 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Nikon S100 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Nikon S100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.9-4.8) lens
  • 175g - 99 x 65 x 18mm
  • Launched August 2011
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
Photography Glossary

Nikon S100 vs Sony W290 Overview

Let's look a little more closely at the Nikon S100 versus Sony W290, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. There is a sizeable difference between the resolutions of the S100 (16MP) and W290 (12MP) but they come with the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The S100 was announced 2 years later than the W290 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick summation of how the S100 scores against the W290 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S100 over the Sony W290

 S100 W290 
ReleasedAugust 2011February 2009More recent by 31 months
Display sizing3.5"3"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution820k230kClearer display (+590k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Nikon S100

 W290 S100 

Common features in the Nikon S100 and Sony W290

 S100 W290 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Nikon S100 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to lug around your camera frequently, you are going to need to consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon S100 has got exterior measurements of 99mm x 65mm x 18mm (3.9" x 2.6" x 0.7") having a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs) whilst the Sony W290 has measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Compare the Nikon S100 versus Sony W290 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the S100 and the W290.

Nikon S100 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the S100 and W290 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Nikon S100 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S100 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Often, its hard to picture the difference between sensor measurements purely by checking specs. The photograph here might give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the S100 and W290.

All in all, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You should anticipate the Nikon S100 to give extra detail with its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics far more aggressively. The more modern S100 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon S100 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Nikon S100 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S100 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S100 Portrait photography advice
Sony W290 Portrait photography advice
39
focusing manually
good megapixels (16MP)
supports face detect autofocus
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
27
focusing manually
no manual control
external flash not possible
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon S100
Street photography with Sony W290
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has focus by touch
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S100 as a Sports photography camera
Sony W290 as a Sports photography camera
37
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery (150 shots)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S100 Travel photography info
Sony W290 Travel photography info
65
has focus by touch
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse function
not so great battery (150 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
57
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
low MP (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S100 Landscape photography details
Sony W290 Landscape photography details
45
focusing manually
decently wide (28mm)
lovely big screen (3.5 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
no manual control
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
not so great battery (150 per charge)
missing Timelapse function
41
focusing manually
fairly wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S100 Vlogging advice
Sony W290 Vlogging advice
35
decently wide (28mm)
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
display is not selfie friendly
missing microphone support
28
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic jack
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Nikon S100 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S100 and Sony W290
 Nikon Coolpix S100Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Brand Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Coolpix S100 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2011-08-24 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed C2 -
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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias 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 images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.9-4.8 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range 1cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.5 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 820k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology Organic LED monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 2 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic input
Headphone input
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 175 gr (0.39 lb) 167 gr (0.37 lb)
Dimensions 99 x 65 x 18mm (3.9" x 2.6" x 0.7") 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 life 150 photographs -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL12 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch $240 $230