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Sony QX30 vs Sony W290

Portability
91
Imaging
45
Features
37
Overall
41
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Sony QX30 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Sony QX30
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • " Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.3) lens
  • 193g - 68 x 65 x 58mm
  • Launched September 2014
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
  • Introduced February 2009
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Sony QX30 vs Sony W290 Overview

Lets look closer at the Sony QX30 versus Sony W290, former being a Lens-style while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both are created by Sony. There exists a noticeable gap between the resolutions of the QX30 (20MP) and W290 (12MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The QX30 was brought out 5 years later than the W290 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Sony QX30 being a Lens-style camera and the Sony W290 being a Compact camera.

Before we go right into a full comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the QX30 matches up against the W290 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony QX30 over the Sony W290

 QX30 W290 
IntroducedSeptember 2014February 2009More recent by 68 months
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Sony QX30

 W290 QX30 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Screen size3""Bigger screen (+3")
Screen resolution230k0kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Sony QX30 and Sony W290

 QX30 W290 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Sony QX30 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to lug around your camera frequently, you're going to have to think about its weight and proportions. The Sony QX30 offers exterior measurements of 68mm x 65mm x 58mm (2.7" x 2.6" x 2.3") with a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs) whilst the Sony W290 has measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check out the Sony QX30 versus Sony W290 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the QX30 versus the W290.

Sony QX30 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the QX30 and W290 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Sony QX30 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Sony QX30 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's tough to imagine the contrast between sensor measurements simply by reading specs. The graphic below will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the QX30 and W290.

All in all, the 2 cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You can count on the Sony QX30 to offer you extra detail having its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots way more aggressively. The newer QX30 provides an advantage in sensor tech.

Sony QX30 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Sony QX30 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony QX30 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony QX30 Portrait photography highlights
Sony W290 Portrait photography highlights
38
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
has face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
27
has manual focus
no manual mode
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sony QX30 Street photography factors
Sony W290 Street photography factors
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports focus by touch
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sony QX30 as a Sports photography camera
Sony W290 as a Sports photography camera
47
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery life (200 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect AF
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony QX30 Travel photography factors
Sony W290 Travel photography factors
65
supports focus by touch
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
really wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low battery life (200 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
57
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse recording
MP count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony QX30 Landscape photography information
Sony W290 Landscape photography information
39
really wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small ( inch)
manual exposure not available
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
low battery life (200 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
41
has manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
no manual mode
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
missing Timelapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Sony QX30 as a Vlogging camera
Sony W290 as a Vlogging camera
35
really wide (24mm)
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone socket
28
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone jack
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Sony QX30 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony QX30 and Sony W290
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Company Sony Sony
Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Type Lens-style Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2014-09-03 2009-02-17
Body design Lens-style Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz X -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5184 x 3888 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-720mm (30.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-6.3 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range - 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing - 3"
Screen resolution 0k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 2 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 3.90 m
Flash modes None 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 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4 MPEG-4
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 193 gr (0.43 lb) 167 gr (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 68 x 65 x 58mm (2.7" x 2.6" x 2.3") 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 life 200 photos -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NP-BN, -
Self timer Yes (2, 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $348 $230