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Sony HX99 vs Sony W290

Portability
91
Imaging
45
Features
67
Overall
53
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Sony HX99 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Sony HX99
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3-inch Sensor
  • 3.00" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 242g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Announced September 2018
Sony W290
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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 HX99 vs Sony W290 Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Sony HX99 versus Sony W290, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both are built by Sony. There is a large difference among the resolutions of the HX99 (18MP) and W290 (12MP) and the HX99 (1/2.3-inch) and W290 (1/2.3") use different sensor sizing.

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The HX99 was introduced 9 years after the W290 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a quick summation of how the HX99 scores vs the W290 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony HX99 over the Sony W290

 HX99 W290 
AnnouncedSeptember 2018February 2009Newer by 117 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Sony HX99

 W290 HX99 

Common features in the Sony HX99 and Sony W290

 HX99 W290 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Screen sizing3.00"3"Equivalent screen measurement

Sony HX99 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to travel with your camera frequently, you'll have to consider its weight and volume. The Sony HX99 provides outer measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") with a weight of 242 grams (0.53 lbs) while the Sony W290 has sizing of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

See the Sony HX99 versus Sony W290 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you choose at the time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the HX99 versus the W290.

Sony HX99 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the HX99 and W290 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Sony HX99 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Sony HX99 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its tough to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions only by checking out specs. The picture underneath should give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the HX99 and W290.

All in all, each of the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The HX99 with its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field easier and the Sony HX99 will produce extra detail using its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs a little more aggressively. The younger HX99 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Sony HX99 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Sony HX99 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony HX99 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony HX99 Portrait photography info
Sony W290 Portrait photography info
53
you can focus manually
MP count good (18 megapixels)
has face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3-inch)
27
you can focus manually
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sony HX99 Street photography features
Sony W290 Street photography features
77
tilting screen
built in image stabilization
supports RAW formats
lighter than average (242 grams)
very small sensor (1/2.3-inch)
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sony HX99 as a Sports photography camera
Sony W290 as a Sports photography camera
58
incredible zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization
MP count good (18MP)
has tracking focus
good battery pack (360 CIPA)
very small sensor (1/2.3-inch)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony HX99 Travel photography details
Sony W290 Travel photography details
76
good battery pack (360 per charge)
lighter than average (242 grams)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
relatively wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
no Time Lapse mode
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
57
built-in flash
quite wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
MP count low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony HX99 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W290 as a Landscape photography camera
58
you can focus manually
relatively wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3.00")
built in image stabilization
MP count good (18MP)
supports RAW formats
good battery pack (360 per charge)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
very small sensor (1/2.3-inch)
no Time Lapse mode
41
you can focus manually
quite wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
no manual exposure
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony HX99 as a Vlogging camera
Sony W290 as a Vlogging camera
76
relatively wide (24mm)
selfie friendly display
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization
has face detect autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
lighter than average (242g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
no mic socket
28
quite wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic support
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Sony HX99 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony HX99 and Sony W290
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2018-09-01 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3-inch 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4896 x 3672 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 12800 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-720mm (30.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-6.4 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance 5cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3.00 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 921k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 638k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.5x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 2s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.40 m (with Auto ISO) 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p, 120p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video data format AVCHD, XAVC S MPEG-4
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 242g (0.53 pounds) 167g (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 life 360 images -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID NP-BX1 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $469 $230