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Sony A290 vs Sony W380

Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W380 front
Portability
96
Imaging
36
Features
25
Overall
31

Sony A290 vs Sony W380 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
  • Revealed June 2010
  • Previous Model is Sony A230
Sony W380
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.4-5.9) lens
  • 117g - 91 x 52 x 20mm
  • Revealed January 2010
Photography Glossary

Sony A290 vs Sony W380 Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Sony A290 and Sony W380, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Ultracompact and they are both manufactured by Sony. The sensor resolution of the A290 (14MP) and the W380 (14MP) is relatively close but the A290 (APS-C) and W380 (1/2.3") come with different sensor sizes.

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The A290 was brought out 6 months later than the W380 so they are both of a similar age. The two cameras come with different body type with the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony W380 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving through a in depth comparison, below is a quick summary of how the A290 scores versus the W380 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Sony W380

 A290 W380 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing

Reasons to pick Sony W380 over the Sony A290

 W380 A290 

Common features in the Sony A290 and Sony W380

 A290 W380 
RevealedJune 2010January 2010Same age
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension2.7"2.7"Identical screen dimensions
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Sony A290 vs Sony W380 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Sony A290 enjoys outer dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs) whilst the Sony W380 has dimensions of 91mm x 52mm x 20mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.8") having a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Check out the Sony A290 and Sony W380 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilising at the time. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the A290 compared to the W380.

Sony A290 vs Sony W380 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the A290 and W380 is 66 and 96 respectively.

Sony A290 vs Sony W380 top view buttons comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony W380 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its difficult to picture the contrast in sensor sizing just by viewing specs. The graphic here should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the A290 and W380.

All in all, both cameras have got the exact same resolution albeit different sensor sizing. The A290 comes with the bigger sensor which will make getting bokeh simpler.

Sony A290 vs Sony W380 sensor size comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony W380 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A290 vs Sony W380 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony A290
Portrait photography with Sony W380
65
manual focus
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
no liveview
28
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Sony A290 as a Street photography camera
Sony W380 as a Street photography camera
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no moving screen
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sony A290 Sports photography highlights
Sony W380 Sports photography highlights
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
no liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
low battery life (290 CIPA)
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony A290 Travel photography details
Sony W380 Travel photography details
53
megapixel count good (14MP)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse mode
low battery life (290 CIPA)
does not posses selfie friendly display
65
MP count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A290 Landscape photography highlights
Sony W380 Landscape photography highlights
58
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no liveview
low battery life (290 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse mode
37
pretty wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.4)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A290 Vlogging features
Sony W380 Vlogging features
9
can't record video
29
pretty wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.4)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic port
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Sony A290 vs Sony W380 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A290 and Sony W380
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W380
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W380
Category Entry-Level DSLR Ultracompact
Revealed 2010-06-09 2010-01-07
Body design Compact SLR Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Bionz Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4592 x 3056 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-120mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture - f/2.4-5.9
Macro focus range - 5cm
Available lenses 143 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 2 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 4.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1280x720
Video format - Motion JPEG
Mic 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) 117 grams (0.26 pounds)
Dimensions 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") 91 x 52 x 20mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.8")
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 photos -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model NP-FH50 NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 sec or 10 sec, portrait1/portrait2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC SD/SDHC, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo / Pro HG-Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $600 $44