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Sony W290 vs Sony W690

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36

Sony W290 vs Sony W690 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 W690
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 94 x 56 x 22mm
  • Announced February 2012
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Sony W290 vs Sony W690 Overview

Below, we will be matching up the Sony W290 vs Sony W690, both Small Sensor Compact cameras and both of them are designed by Sony. There is a big difference among the image resolutions of the W290 (12MP) and W690 (16MP) but they come with the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The W290 was launched 4 years prior to the W690 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a thorough comparison, below is a concise summation of how the W290 matches up versus the W690 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Sony W690

 W290 W690 
Manual focus More precise focusing

Reasons to pick Sony W690 over the Sony W290

 W690 W290 
AnnouncedFebruary 2012February 2009More modern by 36 months

Common features in the Sony W290 and Sony W690

 W290 W690 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurements
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Sony W290 vs Sony W690 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera, you will want to consider its weight and volume. The Sony W290 provides external dimensions 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 W690 has sizing of 94mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs).

Compare the Sony W290 vs Sony W690 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you select at that moment. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the W290 and the W690.

Sony W290 vs Sony W690 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the W290 and W690 is 94 and 95 respectively.

Sony W290 vs Sony W690 top view buttons comparison

Sony W290 vs Sony W690 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its tough to envision the gap in sensor sizes purely by checking out a spec sheet. The image below will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the W290 and W690.

As you can see, each of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Sony W690 to provide more detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots much more aggressively. The more aged W290 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Sony W290 vs Sony W690 sensor size comparison

Sony W290 vs Sony W690 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony W290 vs Sony W690 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony W290 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W690 as a Portrait photography camera
27
you can focus manually
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
34
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
offers face detection focus
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Sony W290 Street photography info
Sony W690 Street photography info
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sony W290 Sports photography advice
Sony W690 Sports photography advice
25
image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony W290 as a Travel photography camera
Sony W690 as a Travel photography camera
57
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
low megapixels (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
68
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
no Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony W290 Landscape photography advice
Sony W690 Landscape photography advice
41
you can focus manually
relatively wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not possible
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
lack of Timelapse mode
43
really wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not available
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony W290
Vlogging with Sony W690
28
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone port
31
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic support
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Sony W290 vs Sony W690 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony W290 and Sony W690
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-02-17 2012-02-28
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - 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 12MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
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 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-5.2 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus distance 10cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - ClearPhoto TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 2s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.90 m 3.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB 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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 167 grams (0.37 lbs) 142 grams (0.31 lbs)
Dimensions 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 94 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 life - 220 shots
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
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 One One
Pricing at release $230 $297