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Sony A290 vs Sony W730

Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730 front
Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
33
Overall
37

Sony A290 vs Sony W730 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
  • Old Model is Sony A230
Sony W730
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-224mm (F3.3-6.3) lens
  • 122g - 93 x 52 x 22mm
  • Launched January 2013
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Sony A290 vs Sony W730 Overview

Lets look closer at the Sony A290 versus Sony W730, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are built by Sony. The image resolution of the A290 (14MP) and the W730 (16MP) is very well matched but the A290 (APS-C) and W730 (1/2.3") use different sensor sizing.

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The A290 was unveiled 3 years prior to the W730 and that is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony W730 being a Compact camera.

Before getting through a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief overview of how the A290 matches up against the W730 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Sony W730

 A290 W730 
Focus manually Very accurate focus

Reasons to pick Sony W730 over the Sony A290

 W730 A290 
LaunchedJanuary 2013June 2010More recent by 31 months
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Sony A290 and Sony W730

 A290 W730 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent display measurement
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Sony A290 vs Sony W730 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to lug around your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Sony A290 features physical measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs) whilst the Sony W730 has proportions of 93mm x 52mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.0" x 0.9") and a weight of 122 grams (0.27 lbs).

Compare the Sony A290 versus Sony W730 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are employing during that time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the A290 versus the W730.

Sony A290 vs Sony W730 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A290 and W730 is 66 and 96 respectively.

Sony A290 vs Sony W730 top view buttons comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony W730 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very difficult to visualize the gap between sensor measurements purely by checking specs. The graphic underneath may provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the A290 and W730.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The A290 having a larger sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Sony W730 will resolve extra detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop images far more aggressively. The older A290 is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Sony A290 vs Sony W730 sensor size comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony W730 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A290 vs Sony W730 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A290 Portrait photography highlights
Sony W730 Portrait photography highlights
65
manual focus
resolution is good (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
no liveview
35
good resolution (16MP)
offers face detect focusing
no manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Sony A290 Street photography information
Sony W730 Street photography information
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen does not articulate
67
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has focus via touch
lighter than competition in class (122g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sony A290 Sports photography highlights
Sony W730 Sports photography highlights
55
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
no liveview
low fps (3.0 frames per second)
bad battery (290 CIPA)
41
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
low fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony A290 Travel photography highlights
Sony W730 Travel photography highlights
53
resolution is good (14MP)
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse function
bad battery (290 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
71
lighter than competition in class (122g)
has focus via touch
good resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
lack of Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A290 Landscape photography highlights
Sony W730 Landscape photography highlights
58
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is small (2.7")
no liveview
bad battery (290 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse function
39
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A290 as a Vlogging camera
Sony W730 as a Vlogging camera
9
no video shooting
34
fairly wide (25mm)
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
lighter than competition in class (122 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone port
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Sony A290 vs Sony W730 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A290 and Sony W730
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730
Category Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2010-06-09 2013-01-08
Body design Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4592 x 3056 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-224mm (9.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.3-6.3
Macro focus range - 5cm
Available lenses 143 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech - TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 2 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 2.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Advanced Flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1280x720
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 549 grams (1.21 pounds) 122 grams (0.27 pounds)
Dimensions 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") 93 x 52 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.0" x 0.9")
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 pictures 240 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FH50 NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Storage media 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
Price at launch $600 $138