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Pentax WG-10 vs Sony W290

Portability
93
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36
Pentax WG-10 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Pentax WG-10 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Pentax WG-10
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 167g - 116 x 59 x 29mm
  • Released June 2013
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
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Pentax WG-10 vs Sony W290 Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Pentax WG-10 vs Sony W290, one being a Waterproof and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the WG-10 (14MP) and the W290 (12MP) is fairly close and both cameras provide the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The WG-10 was unveiled 4 years later than the W290 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a in-depth comparison, here is a short summation of how the WG-10 matches up versus the W290 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-10 over the Sony W290

 WG-10 W290 
LaunchedJune 2013February 2009Fresher by 53 months

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Pentax WG-10

 W290 WG-10 
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Pentax WG-10 and Sony W290

 WG-10 W290 
Focus manually More precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Pentax WG-10 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and size. The Pentax WG-10 features exterior dimensions of 116mm x 59mm x 29mm (4.6" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs) whilst the Sony W290 has specifications of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check the Pentax WG-10 vs Sony W290 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the WG-10 and the W290.

Pentax WG-10 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the WG-10 and W290 is 93 and 94 respectively.

Pentax WG-10 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-10 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be difficult to picture the gap in sensor sizing only by researching specs. The graphic underneath should give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the WG-10 and W290.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You should anticipate the Pentax WG-10 to provide you with extra detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop images more aggressively. The more modern WG-10 should have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax WG-10 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-10 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-10 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-10 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W290 as a Portrait photography camera
39
you can focus manually
MP count good (14MP)
includes face detection autofocus
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
27
you can focus manually
no manual mode
no external flash support
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax WG-10 Street photography factors
Sony W290 Street photography factors
62
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-10 Sports photography information
Sony W290 Sports photography information
44
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
weather sealing
continuous shooting slow (0.7 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
25
image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-10 Travel photography advice
Sony W290 Travel photography advice
71
weather sealing
MP count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
57
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse mode
low MP (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-10 Landscape photography factors
Sony W290 Landscape photography factors
47
you can focus manually
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (14MP)
weather sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
41
you can focus manually
relatively wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
no manual mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-10 Vlogging advice
Sony W290 Vlogging advice
30
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection autofocus
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external microphone jack
28
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone port
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Pentax WG-10 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-10 and Sony W290
 Pentax WG-10Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax WG-10 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Released 2013-06-21 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD 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 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 125 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Highest 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 display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 2 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 0.7fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 1.20 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone 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 None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 167 grams (0.37 lbs) 167 grams (0.37 lbs)
Physical dimensions 116 x 59 x 29mm (4.6" x 2.3" x 1.1") 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
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $0 $230