Nikon S8100 vs Sony W290
93 Imaging
35 Features
36 Overall
35


94 Imaging
34 Features
28 Overall
31
Nikon S8100 vs Sony W290 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 160 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 30-300mm (F3.5-5.6) lens
- 180g - 104 x 60 x 30mm
- Announced September 2010
(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
- Introduced February 2009

Nikon S8100 vs Sony W290 Overview
Lets take a deeper look at the Nikon S8100 vs Sony W290, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the S8100 (12MP) and the W290 (12MP) is very close and they feature the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

The S8100 was manufactured 19 months later than the W290 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before delving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the S8100 matches up versus the W290 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Nikon S8100 vs Sony W290 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon Coolpix S8100 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290. The entire galleries are provided at Nikon S8100 Gallery & Sony W290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon S8100 over the Sony W290
S8100 | W290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | September 2010 | ![]() | February 2009 | Fresher by 19 months |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+691k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Nikon S8100
W290 | S8100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very precise focusing |
Common features in the Nikon S8100 and Sony W290
S8100 | W290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither features Touch friendly display |
Nikon S8100 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is going to carry your camera, you will want to consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon S8100 enjoys external dimensions of 104mm x 60mm x 30mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.2") along with a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs) and 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).
Look at the Nikon S8100 vs Sony W290 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are using during that time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the S8100 vs the W290.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S8100 and W290 is 93 and 94 respectively.

Nikon S8100 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, its hard to visualise the gap in sensor sizing merely by researching a spec sheet. The photograph below may give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the S8100 and W290.
Clearly, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the identical resolution so you can expect comparable quality of photographs however you will need to consider the launch date of the cameras into account. The newer S8100 will have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon S8100 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S8100 vs Sony W290 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix S8100 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Nikon | Sony |
Model type | Nikon Coolpix S8100 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Announced | 2010-09-08 | 2009-02-17 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Expeed C2 | - |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | 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 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 160 | 80 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 30-300mm (10.0x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.5-5.6 | f/3.3-5.2 |
Macro focusing range | 1cm | 10cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 921k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30 secs | 2 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 10.0fps | 2.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | - | 3.90 m |
Flash modes | - | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | H.264 | MPEG-4 |
Microphone 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 | 180 grams (0.40 pounds) | 167 grams (0.37 pounds) |
Dimensions | 104 x 60 x 30mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.2") | 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 | 220 shots | - |
Battery style | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | EN-EL12 | - |
Self timer | Yes (10 or 2 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Card slots | One | One |
Pricing at release | $299 | $230 |