Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W290
66 Imaging
40 Features
37 Overall
38
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94 Imaging
34 Features
28 Overall
31
Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W290 Key Specs
(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
(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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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W290 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax XG-1 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290. The complete galleries are available at Pentax XG-1 Gallery and Sony W290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Sony W290
XG-1 | W290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | July 2014 | ![]() | February 2009 | More modern by 66 months |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.
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Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the XG-1 and W290 is 66 and 94 respectively.
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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.
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W290 Specifications
Pentax XG-1 | Sony 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 |