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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W290

Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax XG-1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Pentax XG-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1248mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 567g - 119 x 89 x 98mm
  • Introduced July 2014
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 XG-1 vs Sony W290 Overview

Following is a in-depth review of the Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W290, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Pentax and Sony. There exists a significant gap among the sensor resolutions of the XG-1 (16MP) and W290 (12MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The XG-1 was released 5 years after the W290 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony W290 being a Compact camera.

Before going right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the XG-1 grades vs the W290 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Sony W290

 XG-1 W290 
ReleasedJuly 2014February 2009More modern by 66 months
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Pentax XG-1

 W290 XG-1 

Common features in the Pentax XG-1 and Sony W290

 XG-1 W290 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry around your camera often, you'll have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Pentax XG-1 has got outer dimensions of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") and a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs) and the Sony W290 has proportions of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

See the Pentax XG-1 vs 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 depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the XG-1 vs the W290.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the XG-1 and W290 is 66 and 94 respectively.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is difficult to envision the difference in sensor sizes purely by seeing specifications. The image below will help give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the XG-1 and W290.

To sum up, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Pentax XG-1 to provide greater detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more modern XG-1 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax XG-1 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W290 as a Portrait photography camera
40
manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
27
has manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax XG-1
Street photography with Sony W290
43
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
heavier than competition in class (567 grams)
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax XG-1
Sports photography with Sony W290
45
great zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (240 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Travel photography info
Sony W290 Travel photography info
52
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
very long zoom (1248mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
terrible battery power (240 shots)
heavier than competition in class (567g)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
57
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Landscape photography features
Sony W290 Landscape photography features
45
manual focus
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
terrible battery power (240 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse mode
41
has manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not available
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax XG-1
Vlogging with Sony W290
25
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of external mic support
heavier than competition in class (567 grams)
28
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic support
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax XG-1 and Sony W290
 Pentax XG-1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax XG-1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2014-07-15 2009-02-17
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) 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 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1248mm (52.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.6 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance 1cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 200 thousand dots -
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 2 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 9.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 3.90 m
Flash options Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic support
Headphone support
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 567g (1.25 lb) 167g (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") 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 240 pictures -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID LB-060 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at release $599 $230