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Sony W290 vs Sony W560

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W560 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Sony W290 vs Sony W560 Key Specs

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
  • Launched February 2009
Sony W560
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
  • 110g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Released January 2011
Photography Glossary

Sony W290 vs Sony W560 Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Sony W290 and Sony W560, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Ultracompact and they are both created by Sony. The resolution of the W290 (12MP) and the W560 (14MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras posses the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The W290 was released 22 months before the W560 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Sony W290 being a Compact camera and the Sony W560 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the W290 grades versus the W560 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Sony W560

 W290 W560 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing

Reasons to pick Sony W560 over the Sony W290

 W560 W290 
ReleasedJanuary 2011February 2009More recent by 22 months

Common features in the Sony W290 and Sony W560

 W290 W560 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Sony W290 vs Sony W560 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera often, you'll have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Sony W290 has exterior measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs) whilst the Sony W560 has dimensions of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).

Check out the Sony W290 and Sony W560 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the W290 compared to the W560.

Sony W290 vs Sony W560 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the W290 and W560 is 94 and 96 respectively.

Sony W290 vs Sony W560 top view buttons comparison

Sony W290 vs Sony W560 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its difficult to see the difference in sensor measurements purely by going through technical specs. The photograph underneath will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the W290 and W560.

As you can tell, both the cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Sony W560 to produce greater detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will help you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The older W290 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Sony W290 vs Sony W560 sensor size comparison

Sony W290 vs Sony W560 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony W290 vs Sony W560 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony W290 Portrait photography factors
Sony W560 Portrait photography factors
27
has manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
28
MP count good (14MP)
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sony W290 as a Street photography camera
Sony W560 as a Street photography camera
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sony W290 Sports photography details
Sony W560 Sports photography details
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
35
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony W290 Travel photography info
Sony W560 Travel photography info
57
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
low megapixels (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
65
MP count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
does not offer selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony W290 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W560 as a Landscape photography camera
41
has manual focus
really wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not possible
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
42
fairly wide (26mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
manual mode not available
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony W290 Vlogging highlights
Sony W560 Vlogging highlights
28
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic port
29
fairly wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
does not offer selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic socket
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Sony W290 vs Sony W560 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony W290 and Sony W560
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W560
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W560
Type Small Sensor Compact Ultracompact
Launched 2009-02-17 2011-01-06
Physical type Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 26-104mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-5.2 f/2.7-5.7
Macro focusing range 10cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 2 secs 2 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.90 m 3.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, 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
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 167 gr (0.37 lb) 110 gr (0.24 lb)
Physical dimensions 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
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
Battery ID - NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $230 $139