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Sony S950 vs Sony W290

Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Sony S950 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Sony S950
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Launched February 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
  • Introduced February 2009
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Sony S950 vs Sony W290 Overview

Below, we are comparing the Sony S950 versus Sony W290, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras and both are designed by Sony. The resolution of the S950 (10MP) and the W290 (12MP) is fairly similar and they feature the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The S950 was announced around the same time to the W290 so they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a short introduction of how the S950 grades against the W290 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony S950 over the Sony W290

 S950 W290 

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Sony S950

 W290 S950 
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Sony S950 and Sony W290

 S950 W290 
IntroducedFebruary 2009February 2009Similar generation
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Sony S950 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to lug around your camera frequently, you should take into account its weight and volume. The Sony S950 has outer dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs) whilst 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).

Check out the Sony S950 versus Sony W290 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the S950 against the W290.

Sony S950 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the S950 and W290 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Sony S950 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Sony S950 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to envision the contrast between sensor measurements only by reviewing technical specs. The photograph below might give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the S950 and W290.

As you have seen, both of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same megapixels. You should anticipate the Sony W290 to offer you extra detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop images somewhat more aggressively.

Sony S950 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Sony S950 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony S950 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony S950 Portrait photography factors
Sony W290 Portrait photography factors
26
you can focus manually
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
27
you can focus manually
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony S950
Street photography with Sony W290
56
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony S950
Sports photography with Sony W290
24
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
resolution not great (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony S950 Travel photography features
Sony W290 Travel photography features
50
built-in flash
no Time Lapse mode
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
57
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony S950 Landscape photography details
Sony W290 Landscape photography details
31
you can focus manually
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
no Time Lapse mode
41
you can focus manually
quite wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not possible
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony S950
Vlogging with Sony W290
9
can't record video
28
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic support
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Sony S950 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony S950 and Sony W290
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-02-17 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD 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 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 33-132mm (4.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-5.2 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance 10cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 2 secs 2 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 167 gr (0.37 lb) 167 gr (0.37 lb)
Dimensions 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 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
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
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $130 $230