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Sony G3 vs Sony W290

Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
28
Overall
32

Sony G3 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Sony G3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-10.0) lens
  • 185g - 97 x 59 x 22mm
  • Introduced January 2009
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
  • Announced February 2009
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Sony G3 vs Sony W290 Overview

Its time to look closer at the Sony G3 and Sony W290, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras and both are produced by Sony. The resolution of the G3 (10MP) and the W290 (12MP) is fairly similar and both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The G3 was brought out within a month of the W290 and they are of a similar generation. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the G3 scores vs the W290 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony G3 over the Sony W290

 G3 W290 
Display dimensions3.5"3"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Sony G3

 W290 G3 

Common features in the Sony G3 and Sony W290

 G3 W290 
AnnouncedJanuary 2009February 2009Similar generation
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Sony G3 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Sony G3 has got external measurements of 97mm x 59mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") and a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) whilst the Sony W290 has measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Examine the Sony G3 and Sony W290 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you choose at that time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the G3 against the W290.

Sony G3 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the G3 and W290 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Sony G3 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Sony G3 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's difficult to visualise the gap between sensor sizes purely by going over a spec sheet. The image underneath will help give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the G3 and W290.

As you can see, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You should anticipate the Sony W290 to offer greater detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images a bit more aggressively.

Sony G3 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Sony G3 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony G3 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony G3 Portrait photography advice
Sony W290 Portrait photography advice
26
manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
27
you can focus manually
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony G3 as a Street photography camera
Sony W290 as a Street photography camera
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sony G3 Sports photography factors
Sony W290 Sports photography factors
23
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,000s)
low frames per second (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
25
image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony G3 Travel photography factors
Sony W290 Travel photography factors
50
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (10MP)
does not posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
57
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
resolution not great (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony G3
Landscape photography with Sony W290
36
manual focus
big screen (3.5 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse function
41
you can focus manually
fairly wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual exposure
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony G3 Vlogging details
Sony W290 Vlogging details
27
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
does not posses selfie friendly display
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
lack of mic support
28
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone support
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Sony G3 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony G3 and Sony W290
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2009-01-08 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 35-140mm (4.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-10.0 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance - 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3.5" 3"
Display resolution 921k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 1 seconds 2 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.30 m (Auto ISO) 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 185 gr (0.41 lbs) 167 gr (0.37 lbs)
Physical dimensions 97 x 59 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $200 $230