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Pentax S1 vs Sony W290

Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34
Pentax Optio S1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
28
Overall
32

Pentax S1 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Pentax S1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Introduced March 2011
Sony W290
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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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Pentax S1 vs Sony W290 Overview

Let's look closer at the Pentax S1 versus Sony W290, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the S1 (14MP) and the W290 (12MP) is relatively similar and both cameras have the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The S1 was unveiled 2 years later than the W290 and that is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a thorough comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the S1 scores versus the W290 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Sony W290

 S1 W290 
ReleasedMarch 2011February 2009Fresher by 25 months

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Pentax S1

 W290 S1 
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Pentax S1 and Sony W290

 S1 W290 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Pentax S1 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry your camera frequently, you need to think about its weight and proportions. The Pentax S1 enjoys physical measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 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).

Analyze the Pentax S1 versus Sony W290 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are utilising at the time. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the S1 vs the W290.

Pentax S1 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S1 and W290 is 93 and 94 respectively.

Pentax S1 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Pentax S1 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its difficult to visualize the gap between sensor sizing purely by reviewing specifications. The visual below may offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the S1 and W290.

To sum up, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You should count on the Pentax S1 to offer more detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs more aggressively. The more recent S1 should have an edge in sensor tech.

Pentax S1 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Pentax S1 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax S1 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax S1 Portrait photography features
Sony W290 Portrait photography features
35
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
27
manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax S1 Street photography information
Sony W290 Street photography information
56
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax S1 Sports photography factors
Sony W290 Sports photography factors
39
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax S1 Travel photography information
Sony W290 Travel photography information
64
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
57
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse function
MP count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax S1 Landscape photography features
Sony W290 Landscape photography features
42
manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
missing Time Lapse mode
41
manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual exposure
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax S1 Vlogging highlights
Sony W290 Vlogging highlights
28
pretty wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic socket
28
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic port
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Pentax S1 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax S1 and Sony W290
 Pentax Optio S1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax Optio S1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-03-02 2009-02-17
Body design 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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-5.5 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance 1cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 2s
Highest shutter speed 1/1500s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.90 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 157g (0.35 lbs) 167g (0.37 lbs)
Physical dimensions 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") 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 life 260 shots -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI92 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $174 $230