Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony W290
91 Imaging
38 Features
37 Overall
37
94 Imaging
34 Features
28 Overall
31
Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony W290 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 125 - 6400
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
- 198g - 122 x 61 x 30mm
- Released February 2012
(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
- Introduced February 2009
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Here is a comprehensive assessment of the Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony W290, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Pentax and Sony. There is a considerable difference among the resolutions of the WG-2 GPS (16MP) and W290 (12MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsThe WG-2 GPS was brought out 3 years later than the W290 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before diving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the WG-2 GPS grades against the W290 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
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The following is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290. The entire galleries are viewable at Pentax WG-2 GPS Gallery & Sony W290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 GPS over the Sony W290
| WG-2 GPS | W290 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | February 2012 | February 2009 | Fresher by 37 months | |
| Screen resolution | 460k | 230k | Clearer screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Pentax WG-2 GPS
| W290 | WG-2 GPS |
|---|
Common features in the Pentax WG-2 GPS and Sony W290
| WG-2 GPS | W290 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually | Very accurate focusing | |||
| Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" | Same screen sizing | |
| Selfie screen | Neither provides selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly screen | Lack of Touch friendly screen |
Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison
If you're intending to carry your camera often, you'll need to think about its weight and volume. The Pentax WG-2 GPS provides external measurements of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") with a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs) and the Sony W290 has sizing of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Analyze the Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony W290 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have at that time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the WG-2 GPS against the W290.

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the WG-2 GPS and W290 is 91 and 94 respectively.
Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it can be hard to picture the gap in sensor sizing just by viewing a spec sheet. The visual below may give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the WG-2 GPS and W290.
Clearly, the two cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Pentax WG-2 GPS to result in greater detail having its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots way more aggressively. The younger WG-2 GPS provides an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.
Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder
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Pentax WG-2 GPS vs Sony W290 Specifications
| Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Make | Pentax | Sony |
| Model type | Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 |
| Category | Waterproof | Small Sensor Compact |
| Released | 2012-02-07 | 2009-02-17 |
| Body design | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
| Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
| Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Max resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 4000 x 3000 |
| Max native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
| Min native ISO | 125 | 80 |
| RAW images | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| AF touch | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| AF single | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detection focusing | ||
| Contract detection focusing | ||
| Phase detection focusing | ||
| Total focus points | 9 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens zoom range | 28-140mm (5.0x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
| Largest aperture | f/3.5-5.5 | f/3.3-5.2 |
| Macro focusing range | 1cm | 10cm |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
| Screen resolution | 460k dot | 230k dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch operation | ||
| Screen technology | Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 4s | 2s |
| Max shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/1600s |
| Continuous shutter speed | 1.0fps | 2.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Set WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash distance | 5.40 m | 3.90 m |
| Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
| External flash | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| WB 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, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
| Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4 |
| Mic jack | ||
| Headphone jack | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | None |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | BuiltIn | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental seal | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 198g (0.44 lb) | 167g (0.37 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" 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 | 260 shots | - |
| Battery form | Battery Pack | - |
| Battery ID | D-LI92 | - |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
| Storage slots | Single | Single |
| Launch pricing | $300 | $230 |