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Sony H50 vs Sony W290

Portability
69
Imaging
32
Features
25
Overall
29
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Sony H50 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Sony H50
(Full Review)
  • 9MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 31-465mm (F2.7-4.5) lens
  • 547g - 116 x 81 x 86mm
  • Revealed 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
  • Launched February 2009
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Sony H50 vs Sony W290 Overview

Here, we are analyzing the Sony H50 vs Sony W290, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both are manufactured by Sony. There exists a sizeable gap between the image resolutions of the H50 (9MP) and W290 (12MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The H50 was manufactured within a month of the W290 which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving into a detailed comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the H50 matches up versus the W290 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Sony H50 over the Sony W290

 H50 W290 

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Sony H50

 W290 H50 

Common features in the Sony H50 and Sony W290

 H50 W290 
LaunchedJanuary 2009February 2009Similar generation
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display size
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Sony H50 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to travel with your camera often, you should factor in its weight and measurements. The Sony H50 enjoys outer measurements of 116mm x 81mm x 86mm (4.6" x 3.2" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 547 grams (1.21 lbs) whilst the Sony W290 has proportions of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Compare the Sony H50 vs Sony W290 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are working with at the time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the H50 versus the W290.

Sony H50 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the H50 and W290 is 69 and 94 respectively.

Sony H50 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Sony H50 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be difficult to picture the gap between sensor dimensions only by going over technical specs. The pic underneath should offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the H50 and W290.

As you have seen, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size but different resolution. You should anticipate the Sony W290 to offer extra detail due to its extra 3 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos way more aggressively.

Sony H50 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Sony H50 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony H50 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony H50 Portrait photography details
Sony W290 Portrait photography details
27
has manual focus
no external flash support
megapixel count low (9MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
27
has manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony H50 Street photography highlights
Sony W290 Street photography highlights
43
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
heavier than others in class (547g)
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sony H50 Sports photography highlights
Sony W290 Sports photography highlights
32
great zoom range (31-465mm 15.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
megapixel count low (9MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony H50 as a Travel photography camera
Sony W290 as a Travel photography camera
44
built-in flash
very long reach (465mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
heavier than others in class (547 grams)
megapixel count low (9 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (31mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
57
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
no Timelapse recording
MP count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony H50
Landscape photography with Sony W290
34
has manual focus
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (31mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
megapixel count low (9 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
41
has manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony H50 Vlogging features
Sony W290 Vlogging features
19
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (31mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of external mic support
heavier than others in class (547 grams)
28
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone socket
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Sony H50 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony H50 and Sony W290
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2009-01-15 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 9 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3456 x 2592 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 31-465mm (15.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.7-4.5 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance 1cm 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 operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 2s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 9.10 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480, 30 fps, 320 x 240, 8 fps 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video 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 547 grams (1.21 lb) 167 grams (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 116 x 81 x 86mm (4.6" x 3.2" x 3.4") 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 shooting
Storage type Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch pricing $80 $230