Sony A560 vs Sony W690

On this page, we will be evaluating the Sony A560 and Sony W690, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both produced by Sony. The image resolution of the A560 (14MP) and the W690 (16MP) is relatively similar but the A560 (APS-C) and W690 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor sizes.

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The A560 was launched 18 months earlier than the W690 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras have different body design with the Sony A560 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony W690 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight to a detailed comparison, here is a quick overview of how the A560 grades against the W690 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Sony Alpha DSLR-A560 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690. The complete galleries are viewable at Sony A560 Gallery & Sony W690 Gallery.

When you are aiming to carry your camera frequently, you have to consider its weight and volume. The Sony A560 features outer dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") along with a weight of 599 grams (1.32 lbs) and the Sony W690 has sizing of 94mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs).

See the Sony A560 and Sony W690 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the A560 against the W690.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the A560 and W690 is 64 and 95 respectively.

In many cases, it is very tough to see the gap between sensor sizing simply by reviewing technical specs. The visual here may offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the A560 and W690.

As you have seen, both of these cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The A560 due to its bigger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF less difficult and the Sony W690 will offer you more detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs more aggressively. The older A560 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.