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Sony W290 vs Sony W530

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W530 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
21
Overall
30

Sony W290 vs Sony W530 Key Specs

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
Sony W530
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
  • 113g - 93 x 53 x 19mm
  • Launched January 2011
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Sony W290 vs Sony W530 Overview

In this write-up, we will be looking at the Sony W290 and Sony W530, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Ultracompact and both of them are offered by Sony. The resolution of the W290 (12MP) and the W530 (14MP) is relatively similar and they feature the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The W290 was released 22 months earlier than the W530 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both cameras offer different body type with the Sony W290 being a Compact camera and the Sony W530 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before we go in to a in-depth comparison, below is a quick summation of how the W290 scores against the W530 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Sony W530

 W290 W530 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony W530 over the Sony W290

 W530 W290 
LaunchedJanuary 2011February 2009Newer by 22 months

Common features in the Sony W290 and Sony W530

 W290 W530 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Sony W290 vs Sony W530 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to travel with your camera often, you'll have to consider its weight and proportions. The Sony W290 provides outside measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs) while the Sony W530 has measurements of 93mm x 53mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") along with a weight of 113 grams (0.25 lbs).

Examine the Sony W290 and Sony W530 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have at the time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the W290 vs the W530.

Sony W290 vs Sony W530 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the W290 and W530 is 94 and 96 respectively.

Sony W290 vs Sony W530 top view buttons comparison

Sony W290 vs Sony W530 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be tough to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions only by reviewing a spec sheet. The image underneath will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the W290 and W530.

As you can see, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You can count on the Sony W530 to offer you greater detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged W290 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Sony W290 vs Sony W530 sensor size comparison

Sony W290 vs Sony W530 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony W290 vs Sony W530 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony W290
Portrait photography with Sony W530
27
focusing manually
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
28
MP count decent (14MP)
manual focus not available
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sony W290 Street photography factors
Sony W530 Street photography factors
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
48
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sony W290 as a Sports photography camera
Sony W530 as a Sports photography camera
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
26
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony W290 Travel photography info
Sony W530 Travel photography info
57
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
MP count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
65
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (26mm)
no Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony W290
Landscape photography with Sony W530
41
focusing manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not available
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
33
reasonably wide (26mm)
MP count decent (14MP)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual mode
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony W290
Vlogging with Sony W530
28
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic support
26
reasonably wide (26mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
no external mic jack
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Sony W290 vs Sony W530 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony W290 and Sony W530
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W530
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W530
Category Small Sensor Compact Ultracompact
Launched 2009-02-17 2011-01-06
Body design Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip - BIONZ
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 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 26-104mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.2 f/2.7-5.7
Macro focus range 10cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 2s 2s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.90 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 167 gr (0.37 lbs) 113 gr (0.25 lbs)
Dimensions 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 93 x 53 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 model - NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Launch pricing $230 $269