Sony H90 vs Sony W570: A Hands-On Comparison for Practical Buyers in 2024

When it comes to compact point-and-shoot cameras, Sony has carved a fascinating niche over the past decade - delivering snappy, pocketable gear often packed with surprising features. Today, I’m taking a deep dive into two older, yet interesting, models that continue to spark curiosity on the used market or budget considerations: the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H90 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W570. Both released in the early 2010s, these point-and-shoots offer distinct choices for photographers seeking simple, everyday performance without breaking the bank.

Having extensively tested thousands of cameras over my years as a professional reviewer, I’ll be focusing here on practical, real-world usability as well as technical facets often glossed over. My goal is a transparent comparison grounded in direct experience - so you know exactly which camera suits your style, needs, and budget in a crowded field.

Let’s begin by sizing up these two contenders on all essential grounds: ergonomics, imaging, autofocus, video, and beyond.

Getting a Feel: Size, Handling, and Controls

Ergonomics define how a camera feels, especially when you’re shooting frequently or in dynamic environments.

The Sony H90 is your classic small superzoom compact, sporting a slightly bulkier form thanks to its 16x zoom lens. Its dimensions measure roughly 105x60x34 mm and it weighs around 222 grams. In contrast, the W570 is designed for extreme portability - ultracompact and lightweight, it tips the scales at just 116 grams with dimensions 91x52x19 mm.

You can see from the side-by-side shot that the H90 offers a more substantial grip, which aids stability during longer zoom shots but at the expense of pocketability. The W570 invites casual shooting with a more pocket-friendly chassis, but its slim profile can feel a smidge less secure in hand. For anyone planning travel photography or street use, the W570’s unobtrusiveness can be a big plus; for dedicated superzoom needs, the H90’s heft is a small price to pay.

From a top-down perspective, the H90 provides more tactile controls - a welcome feature if you want quick adjustments without delving into menus. The W570 keeps things minimal, focusing on simplicity. If you like lots of buttons and dials to tweak exposure or focus, the H90 feels more responsive.

So, ergonomically, the choice boils down to preference: do you prioritize portability or direct handling? I personally prefer something that sits solidly in my palm when zooming - so the H90 edges ahead here, although neither camera is uncomfortable for everyday use.

Core Imaging Technology: Sensor and Lens

At the heart of any camera is its sensor and lens combination. Both models house a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor with 16 megapixels resolution, which was standard fare at the time. The sensor dimensions (approximately 6.17 x 4.55 mm) limit light-gathering capacity compared to larger sensors, but they fit well within the compact design goals.

Notably, the H90’s lens spans 24-384mm equivalent focal length, offering a very flexible 16x zoom range. In contrast, the W570’s zoom range is slightly shorter at 25-125mm (5x zoom). Both lenses have variable apertures, but the W570 starts brighter at f/2.6 wide open versus the H90’s f/3.3, advantageous in low light situations.

While shooting outdoors in good lighting, image detail from both cameras is comparable given their almost identical sensor and resolution specifications. However, when pushed to higher ISOs, noise becomes more visible, a classic CCD sensor characteristic. For best image quality, I recommend sticking to ISO 100-400.

The H90’s longer zoom is, of course, great for wildlife or sports photo beginners needing to get closer without moving. But physically, that extra glass contributes to the body’s added weight and size. The W570 excels as a casual walk-around camera offering sharpness and color fidelity up to medium zoom ranges.

Viewing Your Shots: LCD Screen and User Interface

Neither camera features an electronic viewfinder, an area where small compacts often compromise, so you’ll be framing mostly via the rear LCD.

The H90 offers a 3-inch ClearPhoto TFT LCD with approximately 461,000-dot resolution - brighter and crisper than the W570’s smaller 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD with 230k dots. This makes a real difference in sunny conditions or when reviewing fine details.

Menu navigation on both cameras is straightforward, if a bit dated by today’s touchscreen standards. However, the H90 includes a few more custom settings accessibly through physical buttons, which speeds up operation.

The absence of touchscreen or articulated screens means creative shooting angles may require some contortion, but this is typical of most budget compacts.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance

In everyday use, autofocus responsiveness and accuracy are pivotal to capturing decisive moments. Both the H90 and W570 rely on contrast-detection autofocus without phase-detection or hybrid systems.

Where they differ notably is in autofocus area coverage and tracking sophistication. The H90 supports face detection and center-weighted AF areas, along with AF tracking - helping keep moving subjects sharp. The W570 offers multi-area AF with 9 focus points, but no face detection or tracking support. Also, live view AF differs: the H90 does not support AF via live view, while the W570 does.

Continuous shooting speeds are equally modest - 1 frame per second on both - which limits burst photography potential. This effectively rules out serious sports or wildlife use.

In portraiture, the H90’s face detection proves helpful in nailing sharp focus on eyes, albeit without the advanced eye-AF technology found in modern cameras. The W570 struggles more to lock focus consistently on faces, which can be frustrating in candid shooting.

Overall, autofocus performance leans in favor of the H90 due to its more advanced tracking and face detection.

Photo Quality Samples: Real World Results

Seeing is believing, right? I captured identical shots with both cameras under controlled daylight and indoor settings, and the sample gallery below speaks volumes.

Sony H90 front Sony H90 screen back Sony W570 front Sony W570 screen back

Noteworthy observations:

• The H90’s superzoom reveals detail up to 384mm equivalent, though sharpness slightly dips at max zoom.
• Both cameras render colors accurately but the H90’s images show marginally better contrast and dynamic range.
• Low-light performance is limited by sensor size, but the H90 maintains cleaner images at ISO 800 than the W570.
• Macro focusing down to 5cm is pleasant on both, with the W570’s brighter aperture aiding in shallow depth-of-field effects.

If you plan macro or natural light portraits, the H90 offers a bit more versatility across focal lengths and respectable image quality at the telephoto end.

Video Capabilities: Basic but Serviceable

Neither model was designed for advanced videography, but they deliver decent HD video for casual usage.

Both shoot 720p video at 30fps with MPEG-4 encoding. Audio capture is basic mono via built-in microphones; there are no external mic or headphone jacks - limiting sound quality control.

Notably, the W570 supports HDMI output for easy playback on TVs, while the H90 lacks this feature. Neither model provides modern autofocus tracking during video.

Neither camera supports 4K video or high frame rate options, unsurprisingly given their release era. However, the H90 benefits from optical image stabilization, useful while shooting handheld video.

If reliable video quality and features are high on your checklist, I’d suggest looking elsewhere, but for casual videoclip creation, both cameras hold their own in daylight.

Specialized Photography Use Cases Considered

How do these cameras fare across distinct photographic styles? Let’s break it down:

Portraiture

The H90’s face detection and longer zoom let you create pleasing close-ups with background compression and some bokeh potential, albeit limited by small sensor and narrow apertures. The W570 can handle simple snapshots but lacks refined focusing aids.

Landscape

Both cameras share identical sensors and lack weather sealing, limiting outdoor durability. Their dynamic range is average - expect some highlight clipping in harsh sunlight, but post-processing can help. The H90’s higher resolution on zoomed-in detail helps for tighter framing.

Wildlife

The H90 shines here, with its extensive zoom and AF tracking, although 1 fps burst limits action capture. The W570 is better reserved for stationary subjects or general vacation photos.

Sports

Neither is suited for serious sports photography due to slow continuous shooting and modest AF. The H90’s tracking AF is a minor advantage for casual sport snapshots.

Street

The W570’s compact size and light weight make it stealthier, ideal for unobtrusive street shooting. The H90, while larger, offers more control but can attract more attention.

Macro

Both have a 5cm macro focus limit, but the W570’s brighter aperture aids low-light close-ups.

Night and Astro

Low light is where both cameras struggle, with visible noise cropping above ISO 800. Neither supports long-exposure specialized modes, so astrophotography is out of scope.

Travel

W570’s compactness and lighter weight favor travel photographers prioritizing space saving. H90 gives more zoom to capture varied scenes but at higher carry weight.

Professional Use

Neither camera supports RAW capture, limiting post-processing flexibility - a dealbreaker for professionals who demand robust workflows and image quality.

Under the Hood: Technical Deep Dive

Digging further into specs reveals some explanations for real-world behavior.

• Sensor and Processor: Both share a 1/2.3” CCD measuring 28 mm² sensor area with 16MP resolution; ‘BIONZ’ processor handles imaging. CCD sensors excel at color reproduction but have higher noise levels than CMOS sensors at high ISOs.

• Lens Specs: H90’s 24-384mm f/3.3-5.9 zoom provides versatility; W570’s 25-125mm f/2.6-6.3 better in low light at wide end but limited reach.

• Image Stabilization: Optical IS is present on both, essential for elongated focal lengths on H90 and low-light on W570.

• Shutter Range: Both max out at 1/1600s shutter speed, limiting high-speed capture.

• AF System: Contrast-detection only; H90 adds face detection and AF tracking, W570 offers 9-point AF grid.

• Storage: Compatible with SD/SDHC/SDXC and Memory Stick Duo types; single slot each.

• Connectivity: W570 supports Eye-Fi Wi-Fi card for wireless transfer; HDMI out (W570) versus none on H90; USB 2.0 on both.

• Battery: H90 uses NP-BG1 giving ~290 shots; W570’s NP-BN1 battery life unspecified but likely lower due to small size.

Verdict and Recommendations: Who Should Pick Which Camera?

After walking through each angle, here’s my balanced take:

• Choose the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H90 if:

  • You want a compact superzoom with longer reach for wildlife, sports snapshots, or telephoto portraits.
  • Face detection autofocus and manual exposure options matter.
  • You don’t mind a slightly bigger camera for better handling.
  • Optical stabilization and a larger rear screen enhance your shooting experience.

• Choose the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W570 if:

  • Ultra-compact size and extreme portability are top priorities - perfect for travel or street photography.
  • You prefer a slightly brighter lens for wide-angle low-light shots.
  • HDMI video output or wireless Eye-Fi card support is important.
  • You want a simple point-and-shoot without fuss over manual controls.

Both cameras carry the typical limitations of early 2010s compact tech - no raw capture, modest autofocus, limited low-light ability - so manage expectations accordingly.

Performance Across Photography Genres

I compiled a genre-specific chart based on all test parameters, which might clarify strengths you care about:

Take note:

• The H90 outperforms in superzoom, portrait autofocus, and zoom flexibility.
• The W570 excels in portability, video output, and ease of use for snapshot photos.

Final Thoughts: Is It Worth Considering These Cameras Today?

You might wonder, “Do these 2011-2012 cameras still hold water in 2024?” The answer depends heavily on your use case and budget.

If you want a hassle-free, affordable compact for casual shooting or gift-giving, both fit the bill. The W570 scores well for travelers needing light, compact gear. The H90 offers a stepping stone into zoom versatility without jumping into interchangeable-lens systems.

However, if you crave modern autofocus sophistication, RAW files, 4K video, or superior handling, I’d encourage looking at recent entry-level mirrorless options - even second-hand models from Sony’s Alpha line like the a6000 or a6100 deliver huge leaps in quality and flexibility at modest prices.

But when nostalgia or budget constraints guide the purchase, both the H90 and W570 remain decent performers with clear, defined niches.

I hope this detailed hike through two Sony compact cameras helps you identify which fits your photography needs best - whether that’s clutching the telephoto reach of the H90 or slipping the W570 effortlessly into a pocket for spontaneous street shots.

Happy shooting!