Clicky

Nikon S620 vs Sony W290

Portability
96
Imaging
34
Features
20
Overall
28
Nikon Coolpix S620 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Nikon S620 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Nikon S620
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 28-112mm (F2.7-5.8) lens
  • 120g - 90 x 53 x 23mm
  • Announced February 2009
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
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Nikon S620 vs Sony W290 Overview

Below, we are looking at the Nikon S620 vs Sony W290, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the S620 (12MP) and the W290 (12MP) is fairly well matched and they come with the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

The S620 was released around the same time to the W290 so they are both of a similar age. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a short summary of how the S620 grades versus the W290 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Nikon S620 over the Sony W290

 S620 W290 

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Nikon S620

 W290 S620 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Nikon S620 and Sony W290

 S620 W290 
LaunchedFebruary 2009February 2009Similar age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Nikon S620 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to lug around your camera frequently, you will need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Nikon S620 enjoys physical dimensions of 90mm x 53mm x 23mm (3.5" x 2.1" x 0.9") along with a weight of 120 grams (0.26 lbs) while the Sony W290 has proportions of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

See the Nikon S620 vs Sony W290 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have during that time. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the S620 vs the W290.

Nikon S620 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the S620 and W290 is 96 and 94 respectively.

Nikon S620 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S620 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very tough to visualize the difference between sensor measurements only by reading through specs. The graphic underneath will help give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S620 and W290.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the exact same MP so you can expect similar quality of pictures though you would want to factor the launch date of the products into consideration.

Nikon S620 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Nikon S620 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S620 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon S620
Portrait photography with Sony W290
20
manual focus not available
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
27
focusing manually
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon S620
Street photography with Sony W290
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (120 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Nikon S620 Sports photography features
Sony W290 Sports photography features
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Nikon S620 as a Travel photography camera
Sony W290 as a Travel photography camera
62
lighter than others in class (120g)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
57
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon S620
Landscape photography with Sony W290
32
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual mode
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
41
focusing manually
fairly wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not possible
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
lack of Time Lapse recording
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S620 Vlogging features
Sony W290 Vlogging features
31
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (120 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
does not feature selfie friendly display
video quality not great (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of external mic port
28
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic socket
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Nikon S620 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S620 and Sony W290
 Nikon Coolpix S620Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Make Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Coolpix S620 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-02-03 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.7-5.8 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance 2cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 seconds 2 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, Red-Eye reduction, Off, On, Slow sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic port
Headphone port
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 120 grams (0.26 lbs) 167 grams (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 90 x 53 x 23mm (3.5" x 2.1" x 0.9") 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 model EN-EL12 -
Self timer Yes (3 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $37 $230