Sony A290 vs Sony W650

Below, we will be comparing the Sony A290 versus Sony W650, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are built by Sony. The sensor resolution of the A290 (14MP) and the W650 (16MP) is relatively well matched but the A290 (APS-C) and W650 (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor sizing.

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The A290 was revealed 19 months before the W650 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony W650 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a quick view of how the A290 scores versus the W650 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

This is a preview of the gallery photos for Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650. The full galleries are provided at Sony A290 Gallery and Sony W650 Gallery.

For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera often, you'll have to factor its weight and proportions. The Sony A290 provides exterior dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") and a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs) while the Sony W650 has measurements of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 124 grams (0.27 lbs).

Check the Sony A290 versus Sony W650 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have at that time. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the A290 vs the W650.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A290 and W650 is 66 and 96 respectively.

More often than not, it's tough to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by checking technical specs. The image underneath will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the A290 and W650.

As you have seen, the two cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The A290 using its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field easier and the Sony W650 will give extra detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The more aged A290 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.