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Sony HX1 vs Sony W290

Portability
67
Imaging
32
Features
36
Overall
33
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Sony HX1 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Sony HX1
(Full Review)
  • 9MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1440 x 1080 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 544g - 115 x 83 x 92mm
  • Revealed April 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
Photography Glossary

Sony HX1 vs Sony W290 Overview

Lets examine more in depth at the Sony HX1 vs Sony W290, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are designed by Sony. There is a significant difference among the resolutions of the HX1 (9MP) and W290 (12MP) and the HX1 (1/2.4") and W290 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor dimensions.

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The HX1 was revealed 3 months after the W290 so they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Sony HX1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony W290 being a Compact camera.

Before diving through a detailed comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the HX1 grades against the W290 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony HX1 over the Sony W290

 HX1 W290 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Sony HX1

 W290 HX1 

Common features in the Sony HX1 and Sony W290

 HX1 W290 
LaunchedApril 2009February 2009Same generation
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Sony HX1 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to travel with your camera frequently, you should take into account its weight and dimensions. The Sony HX1 enjoys exterior measurements of 115mm x 83mm x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6") along with a weight of 544 grams (1.20 lbs) while the Sony W290 has dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Take a look at the Sony HX1 vs Sony W290 in the all new 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 the time. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the HX1 vs the W290.

Sony HX1 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the HX1 and W290 is 67 and 94 respectively.

Sony HX1 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Sony HX1 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to see the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by looking through specifications. The image below may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the HX1 and W290.

Plainly, both cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The HX1 with its larger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Sony W290 will result in greater detail because of its extra 3MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images far more aggressively.

Sony HX1 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Sony HX1 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony HX1 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony HX1 Portrait photography info
Sony W290 Portrait photography info
27
manual focus
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (9 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.4")
lacks RAW support
27
you can focus manually
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony HX1 Street photography factors
Sony W290 Street photography factors
50
screen tilts
image stabilization (Optical)
small sensor (1/2.4")
lacks RAW support
more heavy than competitors in class (544 grams)
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony HX1
Sports photography with Sony W290
36
incredible zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution low (9 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.4")
lacks phase detect auto focus
25
image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony HX1 Travel photography information
Sony W290 Travel photography information
48
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
very long reach (560mm)
no Timelapse function
more heavy than competitors in class (544 grams)
sensor resolution low (9 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
57
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony HX1
Landscape photography with Sony W290
39
manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor resolution low (9 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.4")
lacks RAW support
no Timelapse function
41
you can focus manually
relatively wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not available
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony HX1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony W290 as a Vlogging camera
22
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1440 x 1080 pxls)
no microphone socket
more heavy than competitors in class (544 grams)
28
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not have selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing mic port
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Sony HX1 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony HX1 and Sony W290
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2009-04-22 2009-02-17
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Bionz -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.4" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.104 x 4.578mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 9MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3456 x 2592 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 125 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.2 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance 1cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 2s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 9.20 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1440x1080 1280x720
Video format H.264 MPEG-4
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 544 gr (1.20 pounds) 167 gr (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 115 x 83 x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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
Battery ID NP-FH50 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at release $47,999 $230