Sony HX20V vs Sony W290
90 Imaging
42 Features
50 Overall
45


94 Imaging
34 Features
28 Overall
31
Sony HX20V vs Sony W290 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 12800
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
- 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
- Introduced July 2012
- Old Model is Sony HX10V
- New Model is Sony HX30V
(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

Sony HX20V vs Sony W290 Overview
Here, we are analyzing the Sony HX20V versus Sony W290, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are sold by Sony. There exists a crucial gap among the resolutions of the HX20V (18MP) and W290 (12MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

The HX20V was launched 3 years after the W290 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before we go into a in depth comparison, here is a brief overview of how the HX20V scores vs the W290 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Sony HX20V vs Sony W290 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290. The complete galleries are provided at Sony HX20V Gallery and Sony W290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Sony W290
HX20V | W290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | July 2012 | ![]() | February 2009 | More modern by 42 months |
Display resolution | 922k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+692k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Sony HX20V
W290 | HX20V |
---|
Common features in the Sony HX20V and Sony W290
HX20V | W290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same display size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither includes Touch friendly display |
Sony HX20V vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison
If you're intending to carry around your camera, you're going to have to think about its weight and size. The Sony HX20V features outer measurements of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") and a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs) whilst the Sony W290 has specifications of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Check out the Sony HX20V versus Sony W290 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you choose at that time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the HX20V compared to the W290.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the HX20V and W290 is 90 and 94 respectively.

Sony HX20V vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is hard to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes merely by going through specs. The picture here should give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the HX20V and W290.
All in all, both the cameras feature the identical sensor size but different resolution. You should anticipate the Sony HX20V to provide greater detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos way more aggressively. The younger HX20V should have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Sony HX20V vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Sony HX20V vs Sony W290 Specifications
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Sony | Sony |
Model | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2012-07-20 | 2009-02-17 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | BIONZ | - |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4896 x 3672 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 12800 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 25-500mm (20.0x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.2-5.8 | f/3.3-5.2 |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | 10cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 922k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display technology | XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30 secs | 2 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/1600 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 10.0 frames/s | 2.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 7.10 m | 3.90 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync | 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 | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 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 | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | MPEG-4, AVCHD | MPEG-4 |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | BuiltIn | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 254 grams (0.56 lb) | 167 grams (0.37 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") | 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 life | 320 photos | - |
Battery style | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | NP-BG1 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail price | $397 | $230 |