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Sony A290 vs Sony W350

Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W350 front
Portability
97
Imaging
36
Features
25
Overall
31

Sony A290 vs Sony W350 Key Specs

Sony A290
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Introduced June 2010
  • Replaced the Sony A230
Sony W350
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-105mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
  • 117g - 91 x 52 x 17mm
  • Revealed January 2010
Photography Glossary

Sony A290 vs Sony W350 Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Sony A290 vs Sony W350, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Ultracompact and both are offered by Sony. The resolution of the A290 (14MP) and the W350 (14MP) is very well matched but the A290 (APS-C) and W350 (1/2.3") have different sensor size.

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The A290 was manufactured 6 months after the W350 so they are of a similar age. Both cameras have different body design with the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony W350 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the A290 grades vs the W350 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Sony W350

 A290 W350 
Focus manually Very precise focusing

Reasons to pick Sony W350 over the Sony A290

 W350 A290 

Common features in the Sony A290 and Sony W350

 A290 W350 
RevealedJune 2010January 2010Similar age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal display size
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Sony A290 vs Sony W350 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to travel with your camera regularly, you need to factor its weight and volume. The Sony A290 comes with physical dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") having a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs) while the Sony W350 has sizing of 91mm x 52mm x 17mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7") and a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Check out the Sony A290 vs Sony W350 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the A290 against the W350.

Sony A290 vs Sony W350 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A290 and W350 is 66 and 97 respectively.

Sony A290 vs Sony W350 top view buttons comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony W350 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions just by looking at technical specs. The pic underneath may give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the A290 and W350.

As you can tell, each of these cameras provide the same megapixel count but different sensor dimensions. The A290 offers the larger sensor which should make obtaining shallow depth of field easier.

Sony A290 vs Sony W350 sensor size comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony W350 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A290 vs Sony W350 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A290 Portrait photography advice
Sony W350 Portrait photography advice
65
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
does not have liveview
28
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony A290 Street photography highlights
Sony W350 Street photography highlights
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is fixed
58
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sony A290 as a Sports photography camera
Sony W350 as a Sports photography camera
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
does not have liveview
slow fps (3.0 frames per second)
not so great battery (290 per charge)
34
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A290 as a Travel photography camera
Sony W350 as a Travel photography camera
53
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse function
not so great battery (290 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
66
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (26mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A290 Landscape photography information
Sony W350 Landscape photography information
58
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
small screen (2.7")
does not have liveview
not so great battery (290 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse function
37
rather wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A290 Vlogging details
Sony W350 Vlogging details
9
can't shoot video
29
rather wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone jack
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Sony A290 vs Sony W350 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A290 and Sony W350
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W350
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W350
Class Entry-Level DSLR Ultracompact
Introduced 2010-06-09 2010-01-07
Body design Compact SLR Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz 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 surface area 369.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4592 x 3056 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 26-105mm (4.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.7-5.7
Macro focusing range - 10cm
Number of lenses 143 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 2 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 3.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1280x720
Video format - Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None 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 549 gr (1.21 lb) 117 gr (0.26 lb)
Physical dimensions 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") 91 x 52 x 17mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 66 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.5 not tested
DXO Low light rating 615 not tested
Other
Battery life 290 photos -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID NP-FH50 NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 sec or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro HG-Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch pricing $600 $200