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Sony H20 vs Sony W290

Portability
87
Imaging
33
Features
29
Overall
31
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Sony H20 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Sony H20
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 38-380mm (F3.5-4.4) lens
  • 250g - 107 x 69 x 47mm
  • Revealed May 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 H20 vs Sony W290 Overview

In this write-up, we are looking at the Sony H20 versus Sony W290, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras and both of them are sold by Sony. The sensor resolution of the H20 (10MP) and the W290 (12MP) is fairly well matched and they come with the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The H20 was launched 3 months after the W290 and they are of a similar generation. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the H20 grades vs the W290 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Sony H20 over the Sony W290

 H20 W290 

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Sony H20

 W290 H20 

Common features in the Sony H20 and Sony W290

 H20 W290 
AnnouncedMay 2009February 2009Similar generation
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Sony H20 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to travel with your camera, you will need to take into account its weight and volume. The Sony H20 offers physical dimensions of 107mm x 69mm x 47mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.9") having a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) whilst the Sony W290 has sizing of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Compare the Sony H20 versus Sony W290 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you use at that time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the H20 vs the W290.

Sony H20 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the H20 and W290 is 87 and 94 respectively.

Sony H20 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Sony H20 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very difficult to imagine the difference between sensor dimensions simply by looking at technical specs. The pic here might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the H20 and W290.

As you can tell, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You should anticipate the Sony W290 to give more detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop pics far more aggressively.

Sony H20 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Sony H20 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony H20 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony H20 Portrait photography info
Sony W290 Portrait photography info
27
has manual focus
no external flash support
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
27
manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony H20 as a Street photography camera
Sony W290 as a Street photography camera
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
more heavy than competitors in class (250g)
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony H20
Sports photography with Sony W290
26
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (2.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony H20 Travel photography highlights
Sony W290 Travel photography highlights
51
flash built-in
long zoom (380mm)
no Timelapse mode
more heavy than competitors in class (250g)
low megapixels (10MP)
does not offer selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
57
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony H20 Landscape photography features
Sony W290 Landscape photography features
36
has manual focus
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
no Timelapse mode
41
manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony H20
Vlogging with Sony W290
23
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not offer selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone socket
more heavy than competitors in class (250 grams)
28
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone socket
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Sony H20 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony H20 and Sony W290
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2009-05-14 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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 38-380mm (10.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-4.4 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance 2cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 2 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 7.10 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format - MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 250g (0.55 lbs) 167g (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 107 x 69 x 47mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.9") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery model NP-BG1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch pricing $249 $230