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Sony A290 vs Sony W610

Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W610 front
Portability
97
Imaging
37
Features
20
Overall
30

Sony A290 vs Sony W610 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
  • Revealed June 2010
  • Older Model is Sony A230
Sony W610
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 26-105mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 113g - 93 x 52 x 19mm
  • Revealed January 2012
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Sony A290 vs Sony W610 Overview

Below, we will be comparing the Sony A290 versus Sony W610, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are manufactured by Sony. The resolution of the A290 (14MP) and the W610 (14MP) is relatively well matched but the A290 (APS-C) and W610 (1/2.3") feature different sensor size.

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The A290 was introduced 19 months before the W610 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony W610 being a Compact camera.

Before we go in to a thorough comparison, below is a short summary of how the A290 matches up against the W610 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Sony W610

 A290 W610 
Manual focus Dial precise focus

Reasons to pick Sony W610 over the Sony A290

 W610 A290 
RevealedJanuary 2012June 2010More recent by 19 months

Common features in the Sony A290 and Sony W610

 A290 W610 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension2.7"2.7"Identical screen size
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Sony A290 vs Sony W610 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to lug around your camera frequently, you will have to take into account its weight and size. The Sony A290 features outer measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") having a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs) whilst the Sony W610 has specifications of 93mm x 52mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.0" x 0.7") having a weight of 113 grams (0.25 lbs).

See the Sony A290 versus Sony W610 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are working with during that time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the A290 compared to the W610.

Sony A290 vs Sony W610 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A290 and W610 is 66 and 97 respectively.

Sony A290 vs Sony W610 top view buttons comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony W610 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is difficult to picture the contrast between sensor measurements simply by checking specs. The visual here might provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the A290 and W610.

All in all, both of these cameras have got the exact same megapixels albeit different sensor measurements. The A290 has got the bigger sensor which will make getting shallower depth of field easier. The older A290 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Sony A290 vs Sony W610 sensor size comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony W610 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A290 vs Sony W610 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A290 Portrait photography details
Sony W610 Portrait photography details
65
you can focus manually
good resolution (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
doesn't have liveview
28
good resolution (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony A290 Street photography details
Sony W610 Street photography details
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen does not articulate
56
lighter than competition in class (113g)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony A290
Sports photography with Sony W610
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames/s)
not so great battery (290 shots)
26
good resolution (14 megapixels)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony A290
Travel photography with Sony W610
53
good resolution (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse function
not so great battery (290 per charge)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
69
lighter than competition in class (113 grams)
good resolution (14MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A290 Landscape photography information
Sony W610 Landscape photography information
58
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
small screen (2.7 inch)
doesn't have liveview
not so great battery (290 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse function
33
fairly wide (26mm)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A290 Vlogging advice
Sony W610 Vlogging advice
9
can't record video
28
fairly wide (26mm)
lighter than competition in class (113g)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have external mic socket
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Sony A290 vs Sony W610 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A290 and Sony W610
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W610
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W610
Type Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2010-06-09 2012-01-10
Physical type Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4592 x 3056 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 26-105mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing range - 4cm
Number of lenses 143 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - Clear Photo TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 1 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 3.50 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
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 640x480
Video format - Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 549g (1.21 pounds) 113g (0.25 pounds)
Dimensions 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") 93 x 52 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.0" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 pictures 250 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FH50 NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC, microSD/micro SDHC, Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $600 $200