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Sony A290 vs Sony WX1

Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX1 front
Portability
96
Imaging
33
Features
18
Overall
27

Sony A290 vs Sony WX1 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
  • Introduced June 2010
  • Replaced the Sony A230
Sony WX1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 160 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.4-5.9) lens
  • 149g - 91 x 52 x 20mm
  • Revealed August 2009
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Sony A290 vs Sony WX1 Overview

Following is a comprehensive overview of the Sony A290 and Sony WX1, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Ultracompact and both are offered by Sony. There is a big difference among the image resolutions of the A290 (14MP) and WX1 (10MP) and the A290 (APS-C) and WX1 (1/2.4") enjoy different sensor size.

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The A290 was manufactured 11 months after the WX1 and they are of a similar generation. Both cameras come with different body type with the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony WX1 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a short view of how the A290 matches up against the WX1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Sony WX1

 A290 WX1 
RevealedJune 2010August 2009More modern by 11 months
Manually focus Dial precise focusing

Reasons to pick Sony WX1 over the Sony A290

 WX1 A290 

Common features in the Sony A290 and Sony WX1

 A290 WX1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension2.7"2.7"Identical display size
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Sony A290 vs Sony WX1 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera often, you should factor in its weight and size. The Sony A290 provides outside 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 WX1 has specifications of 91mm x 52mm x 20mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.8") with a weight of 149 grams (0.33 lbs).

Examine the Sony A290 and Sony WX1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have at the time. Here is the front view scale comparison of the A290 versus the WX1.

Sony A290 vs Sony WX1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the A290 and WX1 is 66 and 96 respectively.

Sony A290 vs Sony WX1 top view buttons comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony WX1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's tough to picture the difference in sensor sizes merely by looking through technical specs. The picture below may give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the A290 and WX1.

As you have seen, both cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The A290 featuring a larger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF simpler and the Sony A290 will render extra detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop images much more aggressively. The younger A290 provides an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Sony A290 vs Sony WX1 sensor size comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony WX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A290 vs Sony WX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A290 Portrait photography highlights
Sony WX1 Portrait photography highlights
65
you can focus manually
MP count good (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
does not have liveview
19
manual focus not available
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.4")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Sony A290 Street photography advice
Sony WX1 Street photography advice
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no articulating screen
55
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.4")
doesn't have RAW support
more heavy than average in class (149g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony A290
Sports photography with Sony WX1
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
slow fps (3.0 fps)
low battery (290 per charge)
26
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.4")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony A290
Travel photography with Sony WX1
53
MP count good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse recording
low battery (290 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
56
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than average in class (149g)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A290 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony WX1 as a Landscape photography camera
58
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
does not have liveview
low battery (290 per charge)
does not have Timelapse recording
31
rather wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.4)
small screen (2.7")
no manual mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.4")
doesn't have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A290 as a Vlogging camera
Sony WX1 as a Vlogging camera
9
can't record video
28
rather wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.4)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone jack
more heavy than average in class (149g)
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Sony A290 vs Sony WX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A290 and Sony WX1
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX1
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX1
Class Entry-Level DSLR Ultracompact
Introduced 2010-06-09 2009-08-06
Body design Compact SLR Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz Bionz
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.4"
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 6.104 x 4.578mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 27.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4592 x 3056 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 160
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-120mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/2.4-5.9
Macro focus range - 5cm
Number of lenses 143 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 2 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 5.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1280x720
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 549g (1.21 lbs) 149g (0.33 lbs)
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 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 photos -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NP-FH50 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $600 $149