Pentax S1 vs Sony W290
93 Imaging
37 Features
31 Overall
34


94 Imaging
34 Features
28 Overall
31
Pentax S1 vs Sony W290 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Pentax S1 vs Sony W290 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax Optio S1 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290. The full galleries are provided at Pentax S1 Gallery and Sony W290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Sony W290
S1 | W290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | March 2011 | ![]() | February 2009 | Fresher by 25 months |
Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Pentax S1
W290 | S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Common features in the Pentax S1 and Sony W290
S1 | W290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial precise focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Same 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax S1 vs Sony W290 Specifications
Pentax Optio S1 | Sony 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 |