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Sony A330 vs Sony W290

Portability
67
Imaging
50
Features
50
Overall
50
Sony Alpha DSLR-A330 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
28
Overall
32

Sony A330 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Sony A330
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 529g - 128 x 97 x 71mm
  • Released May 2009
  • Older Model is Sony A300
Sony W290
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 98 x 57 x 23mm
  • Revealed February 2009
Photography Glossary

Sony A330 vs Sony W290 Overview

The following is a in-depth assessment of the Sony A330 versus Sony W290, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both are offered by Sony. The sensor resolution of the A330 (10MP) and the W290 (12MP) is very close but the A330 (APS-C) and W290 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor sizes.

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The A330 was manufactured 3 months after the W290 which means that they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Sony A330 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony W290 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a short summary of how the A330 scores versus the W290 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony A330 over the Sony W290

 A330 W290 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Sony A330

 W290 A330 
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Sony A330 and Sony W290

 A330 W290 
RevealedMay 2009February 2009Same age
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Sony A330 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to factor in its weight and size. The Sony A330 comes with exterior measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 529 grams (1.17 lbs) and the Sony W290 has specifications of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Take a look at the Sony A330 versus Sony W290 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are using during that time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the A330 against the W290.

Sony A330 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the A330 and W290 is 67 and 94 respectively.

Sony A330 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Sony A330 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's tough to envision the gap in sensor dimensions simply by viewing a spec sheet. The picture here will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the A330 and W290.

As you can see, the two cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The A330 due to its larger sensor will make achieving bokeh easier and the Sony W290 will provide you with extra detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images way more aggressively.

Sony A330 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Sony A330 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A330 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony A330
Portrait photography with Sony W290
62
manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection focus
supports RAW files
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
27
has manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sony A330 Street photography features
Sony W290 Street photography features
75
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sony A330 as a Sports photography camera
Sony W290 as a Sports photography camera
50
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
low megapixels (10MP)
not so great battery pack (230 shots)
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A330 Travel photography info
Sony W290 Travel photography info
44
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
not so great battery pack (230 per charge)
low megapixels (10MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
57
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A330 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W290 as a Landscape photography camera
54
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
small screen (2.7 inches)
low megapixels (10MP)
not so great battery pack (230 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse function
41
has manual focus
really wide (28mm)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
no manual exposure
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A330 Vlogging information
Sony W290 Vlogging information
9
can't record video
28
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not have selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic jack
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Sony A330 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A330 and Sony W290
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A330Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Company Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A330 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Category Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Released 2009-05-18 2009-02-17
Body design Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 10MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3872 x 2592 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance - 10cm
Available lenses 143 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.49x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 2 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1280x720
Video file format - MPEG-4
Mic 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 529g (1.17 lb) 167g (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 128 x 97 x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 64 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.5 not tested
DXO Low light rating 535 not tested
Other
Battery life 230 images -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NP-FH50 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release $545 $230