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Sony RX100 II vs Sony W290

Portability
89
Imaging
51
Features
74
Overall
60
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Sony RX100 II vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Sony RX100 II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 160 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
  • 281g - 102 x 58 x 38mm
  • Revealed June 2013
  • Previous Model is Sony RX100
  • Replacement is Sony RX100 III
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
  • Released February 2009
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Sony RX100 II vs Sony W290 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Sony RX100 II versus Sony W290, former being a Large Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are built by Sony. There exists a large gap between the sensor resolutions of the RX100 II (20MP) and W290 (12MP) and the RX100 II (1") and W290 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor sizing.

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The RX100 II was introduced 4 years later than the W290 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Sony RX100 II being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony W290 being a Compact camera.

Before going into a thorough comparison, here is a brief overview of how the RX100 II matches up vs the W290 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony RX100 II over the Sony W290

 RX100 II W290 
ReleasedJune 2013February 2009Fresher by 54 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1229k230kClearer screen (+999k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Sony RX100 II

 W290 RX100 II 

Common features in the Sony RX100 II and Sony W290

 RX100 II W290 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Sony RX100 II vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera regularly, you will want to factor in its weight and proportions. The Sony RX100 II enjoys physical dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 38mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 281 grams (0.62 lbs) while the Sony W290 has measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check out the Sony RX100 II versus Sony W290 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the RX100 II and the W290.

Sony RX100 II vs Sony W290 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the RX100 II and W290 is 89 and 94 respectively.

Sony RX100 II vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Sony RX100 II vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's hard to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing merely by checking specifications. The visual below will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the RX100 II and W290.

Plainly, the 2 cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The RX100 II using its bigger sensor will make getting shallow DOF less difficult and the Sony RX100 II will resolve greater detail using its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots more aggressively. The newer RX100 II will have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Sony RX100 II vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Sony RX100 II vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony RX100 II vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony RX100 II Portrait photography features
Sony W290 Portrait photography features
70
focusing manually
high flash sync (1/2,000 seconds)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (1")
includes face detect focus
delivers RAW files
27
has manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Sony RX100 II Street photography features
Sony W290 Street photography features
85
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Optical)
nice sensor size (1")
delivers RAW files
lighter than average (281g)
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sony RX100 II Sports photography information
Sony W290 Sports photography information
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20MP)
nice sensor size (1")
includes tracking focus
good battery life (350 per charge)
has no phase detect auto focus
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
low MP (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony RX100 II
Travel photography with Sony W290
80
good battery life (350 per charge)
lighter than average (281 grams)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
57
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony RX100 II Landscape photography information
Sony W290 Landscape photography information
74
focusing manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20MP)
nice sensor size (1")
delivers RAW files
good battery life (350 per charge)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
41
has manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not possible
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony RX100 II
Vlogging with Sony W290
37
reasonably wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (281g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing mic support
28
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone support
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Sony RX100 II vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony RX100 II and Sony W290
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IISony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Class Large Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2013-06-27 2009-02-17
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 13.2 x 8.8mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 116.2mm² 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
Peak resolution 5472 x 3648 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 12800 3200
Highest enhanced ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 160 80
RAW pictures
Minimum enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-100mm (3.6x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/1.8-4.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range 5cm 10cm
Crop factor 2.7 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 1,229k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech Xtra Fine WhiteMagic TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 2s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 15.00 m (ISO Auto (W)) 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/2000s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4
Microphone 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 281g (0.62 lb) 167g (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 102 x 58 x 38mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.5") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 67 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.4 not tested
DXO Low light score 483 not tested
Other
Battery life 350 photographs -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NP-BX1 -
Self timer Yes (10 sec. / 2 sec. / Self-portrait One-person/ Self-portrait Two-person/ Self timer Continuous (3 or 5 shots)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $598 $230