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Sony S980 vs Sony W290

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Sony S980 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Sony S980
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Announced February 2009
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
  • Launched February 2009
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Sony S980 vs Sony W290 Overview

Here, we will be comparing the Sony S980 versus Sony W290, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras and both of them are designed by Sony. The sensor resolution of the S980 (12MP) and the W290 (12MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras boast the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The S980 was introduced very close to the W290 so they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a complete comparison, here is a short view of how the S980 scores against the W290 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Sony W290

 S980 W290 

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Sony S980

 W290 S980 
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Sony S980 and Sony W290

 S980 W290 
LaunchedFebruary 2009February 2009Similar age
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Sony S980 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to factor its weight and measurements. The Sony S980 has exterior 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 proportions 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 the Sony S980 versus Sony W290 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you choose at that moment. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the S980 versus the W290.

Sony S980 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the S980 and W290 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Sony S980 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Sony S980 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is hard to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements merely by checking a spec sheet. The visual here may give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the S980 and W290.

Clearly, each of the cameras come with the identical sensor size and the exact same megapixels so you can expect similar quality of images but you have to take the age of the products into consideration.

Sony S980 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Sony S980 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony S980 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony S980
Portrait photography with Sony W290
27
you can focus manually
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
27
focusing manually
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony S980
Street photography with Sony W290
47
no moving screen
no image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sony S980 Sports photography factors
Sony W290 Sports photography factors
17
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
25
image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony S980 as a Travel photography camera
Sony W290 as a Travel photography camera
51
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse function
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
57
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony S980 Landscape photography advice
Sony W290 Landscape photography advice
27
you can focus manually
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not available
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Timelapse function
41
focusing manually
really wide (28mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not possible
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony S980 as a Vlogging camera
Sony W290 as a Vlogging camera
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external microphone jack
28
really wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic port
Photography Glossary

Sony S980 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony S980 and Sony W290
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Company Sony Sony
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-02-17 2009-02-17
Body design 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 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 33-132mm (4.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.2 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance 10cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 2s 2s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated 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
AEB
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 167 gr (0.37 pounds) 167 gr (0.37 pounds)
Physical 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 Overall 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 feature
Type of storage Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $300 $230