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Sony A290 vs Sony WX80

Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX80 front
Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
38
Overall
39

Sony A290 vs Sony WX80 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
  • Launched June 2010
  • Earlier Model is Sony A230
Sony WX80
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Increase to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-224mm (F3.3-8.0) lens
  • 124g - 92 x 52 x 22mm
  • Released January 2013
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Sony A290 vs Sony WX80 Overview

In this write-up, we will be looking at the Sony A290 versus Sony WX80, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are designed by Sony. The image resolution of the A290 (14MP) and the WX80 (16MP) is relatively well matched but the A290 (APS-C) and WX80 (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

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The A290 was revealed 3 years prior to the WX80 and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony WX80 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the A290 matches up against the WX80 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Sony WX80

 A290 WX80 
Manual focus Very exact focus

Reasons to pick Sony WX80 over the Sony A290

 WX80 A290 
ReleasedJanuary 2013June 2010Fresher by 31 months

Common features in the Sony A290 and Sony WX80

 A290 WX80 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent screen dimensions
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Sony A290 vs Sony WX80 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and size. The Sony A290 enjoys outside measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") and a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs) and the Sony WX80 has specifications of 92mm x 52mm x 22mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.9") along with a weight of 124 grams (0.27 lbs).

Check the Sony A290 versus Sony WX80 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you use during that time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the A290 compared to the WX80.

Sony A290 vs Sony WX80 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A290 and WX80 is 66 and 96 respectively.

Sony A290 vs Sony WX80 top view buttons comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony WX80 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's tough to see the difference between sensor sizing simply by looking at specs. The graphic underneath might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the A290 and WX80.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The A290 using its bigger sensor will make achieving shallower DOF less difficult and the Sony WX80 will resolve greater detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The older A290 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Sony A290 vs Sony WX80 sensor size comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony WX80 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A290 vs Sony WX80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A290 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony WX80 as a Portrait photography camera
65
manual focus
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
no liveview
35
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has face detect autofocus
no manual focus
manual mode not available
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony A290
Street photography with Sony WX80
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
fixed screen
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
features focus by touch
lighter than competition in class (124 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony A290
Sports photography with Sony WX80
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
no liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
terrible battery (290 CIPA)
45
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
has tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony A290
Travel photography with Sony WX80
53
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
no Timelapse function
terrible battery (290 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
71
lighter than competition in class (124g)
features focus by touch
decent MP (16MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A290 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony WX80 as a Landscape photography camera
58
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
tiny screen (2.7")
no liveview
terrible battery (290 shots)
no Timelapse function
39
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A290 Vlogging highlights
Sony WX80 Vlogging highlights
9
can't shoot video
35
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (124g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
does not have microphone port
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Sony A290 vs Sony WX80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A290 and Sony WX80
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX80
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX80
Category Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2010-06-09 2013-01-08
Body design Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Bionz BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
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 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4592 x 3056 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Max boosted ISO - 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-224mm (8.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.3-8.0
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Available lenses 143 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech - TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 4.20 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Advanced Flash
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum 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 - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 ( 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 549 grams (1.21 pounds) 124 grams (0.27 pounds)
Dimensions 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") 92 x 52 x 22mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.9")
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 photographs 240 photographs
Form 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
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 One One
Launch price $600 $276