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Sony A290 vs Sony W310

Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W310 front
Portability
96
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Sony A290 vs Sony W310 Key Specs

Sony A290
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Announced June 2010
  • Previous Model is Sony A230
Sony W310
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.0-5.8) lens
  • 137g - 95 x 55 x 19mm
  • Released January 2010
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Sony A290 vs Sony W310 Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Sony A290 and Sony W310, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Ultracompact and both are sold by Sony. The image resolution of the A290 (14MP) and the W310 (12MP) is very well matched but the A290 (APS-C) and W310 (1/2.3") offer different sensor sizing.

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The A290 was released 6 months later than the W310 and they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony W310 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before getting straight to a thorough comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the A290 matches up against the W310 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Sony W310

 A290 W310 
Focus manually More precise focusing

Reasons to pick Sony W310 over the Sony A290

 W310 A290 

Common features in the Sony A290 and Sony W310

 A290 W310 
ReleasedJune 2010January 2010Similar generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal display measurement
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Sony A290 vs Sony W310 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to lug around your camera, you will want to consider its weight and size. The Sony A290 has got external measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs) and the Sony W310 has specifications of 95mm x 55mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") having a weight of 137 grams (0.30 lbs).

Compare the Sony A290 and Sony W310 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you use at that time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the A290 and the W310.

Sony A290 vs Sony W310 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A290 and W310 is 66 and 96 respectively.

Sony A290 vs Sony W310 top view buttons comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony W310 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's hard to picture the difference between sensor measurements only by checking specs. The visual below will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the A290 and W310.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras have different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The A290 due to its larger sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF simpler and the Sony A290 will give you extra detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos a bit more aggressively.

Sony A290 vs Sony W310 sensor size comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony W310 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A290 vs Sony W310 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A290 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W310 as a Portrait photography camera
65
focusing manually
MP count decent (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection focusing
saves RAW files
no liveview
21
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony A290
Street photography with Sony W310
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is fixed
57
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sony A290 Sports photography factors
Sony W310 Sports photography factors
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
no liveview
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
low battery (290 shots)
25
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A290 Travel photography factors
Sony W310 Travel photography factors
53
MP count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
no Timelapse mode
low battery (290 per charge)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
58
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
no Timelapse recording
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A290 Landscape photography highlights
Sony W310 Landscape photography highlights
58
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no liveview
low battery (290 shots)
no Timelapse mode
32
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A290 Vlogging factors
Sony W310 Vlogging factors
9
can't shoot video
29
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
no external microphone port
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Sony A290 vs Sony W310 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A290 and Sony W310
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W310
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W310
Class Entry-Level DSLR Ultracompact
Announced 2010-06-09 2010-01-07
Body design Compact SLR Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip Bionz -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4592 x 3056 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-112mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.0-5.8
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Amount of lenses 143 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7" 2.7"
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 1s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 3.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 640x480
Video data format - Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 549 grams (1.21 pounds) 137 grams (0.30 pounds)
Physical dimensions 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") 95 x 55 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 66 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.5 not tested
DXO Low light score 615 not tested
Other
Battery life 290 images -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model NP-FH50 NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 sec or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC SD/SDHC, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo / Pro HG-Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch $600 $150