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Sony A290 vs Sony W560

Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W560 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Sony A290 vs Sony W560 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
  • Launched June 2010
  • Succeeded the Sony A230
Sony W560
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
  • 110g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Introduced January 2011
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Sony A290 vs Sony W560 Overview

The following is a extended analysis of the Sony A290 and Sony W560, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Ultracompact and they are both built by Sony. The resolution of the A290 (14MP) and the W560 (14MP) is fairly well matched but the A290 (APS-C) and W560 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor sizing.

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The A290 was introduced 7 months before the W560 and they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony W560 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before getting straight to a in depth comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the A290 scores versus the W560 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Sony W560

 A290 W560 
Manual focus Very accurate focus

Reasons to pick Sony W560 over the Sony A290

 W560 A290 
IntroducedJanuary 2011June 2010Newer by 7 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Sony A290 and Sony W560

 A290 W560 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Sony A290 vs Sony W560 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera frequently, you have to factor in 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") accompanied by a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs) and the Sony W560 has sizing of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).

Compare the Sony A290 and Sony W560 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the A290 vs the W560.

Sony A290 vs Sony W560 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the A290 and W560 is 66 and 96 respectively.

Sony A290 vs Sony W560 top view buttons comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony W560 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be tough to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by reading through technical specs. The image here will provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the A290 and W560.

As you can tell, both of those cameras come with the identical MP but not the same sensor dimensions. The A290 offers the larger sensor which will make achieving shallower depth of field less difficult. The more aged A290 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Sony A290 vs Sony W560 sensor size comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony W560 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A290 vs Sony W560 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A290 Portrait photography highlights
Sony W560 Portrait photography highlights
65
has manual focus
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
does not have liveview
28
MP count good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sony A290 as a Street photography camera
Sony W560 as a Street photography camera
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
fixed screen
57
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sony A290 Sports photography information
Sony W560 Sports photography information
55
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
bad battery power (290 per charge)
35
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A290 Travel photography details
Sony W560 Travel photography details
53
resolution is good (14MP)
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
bad battery power (290 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
65
MP count good (14MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (26mm)
no Timelapse recording
does not feature selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony A290
Landscape photography with Sony W560
58
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen is small (2.7 inches)
does not have liveview
bad battery power (290 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse recording
42
fairly wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
lack of manual exposure
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony A290
Vlogging with Sony W560
9
can't shoot video
29
fairly wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
does not feature selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone jack
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Sony A290 vs Sony W560 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A290 and Sony W560
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W560
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W560
Class Entry-Level DSLR Ultracompact
Launched 2010-06-09 2011-01-06
Body design Compact SLR Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip 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 area 369.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4592 x 3056 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens focal range - 26-104mm (4.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.7-5.7
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Total lenses 143 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 2s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 3.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1280x720
Video format - MPEG-4
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 549g (1.21 pounds) 110g (0.24 pounds)
Physical dimensions 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 photographs -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery model NP-FH50 NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $600 $139