Clicky

Sony W290 vs Sony WX300

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX300 front
Portability
94
Imaging
42
Features
38
Overall
40

Sony W290 vs Sony WX300 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
  • Revealed February 2009
Sony WX300
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.5-6.5) lens
  • 166g - 96 x 55 x 25mm
  • Released February 2013
  • Refreshed by Sony WX350
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Sony W290 vs Sony WX300 Overview

Following is a extended assessment of the Sony W290 and Sony WX300, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both designed by Sony. There exists a significant gap between the image resolutions of the W290 (12MP) and WX300 (18MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

The W290 was released 5 years prior to the WX300 which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a detailed comparison, here is a quick view of how the W290 matches up vs the WX300 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide
	
	

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Sony WX300

 W290 WX300 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing

Reasons to pick Sony WX300 over the Sony W290

 WX300 W290 
ReleasedFebruary 2013February 2009More modern by 48 months
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Sony W290 and Sony WX300

 W290 WX300 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Sony W290 vs Sony WX300 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera, you'll have to consider its weight and proportions. The Sony W290 has exterior measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs) whilst the Sony WX300 has measurements of 96mm x 55mm x 25mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 166 grams (0.37 lbs).

Examine the Sony W290 and Sony WX300 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you select during that time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the W290 versus the WX300.

Sony W290 vs Sony WX300 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the W290 and WX300 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Sony W290 vs Sony WX300 top view buttons comparison

Sony W290 vs Sony WX300 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its hard to see the contrast between sensor sizes simply by going over specs. The picture below will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the W290 and WX300.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Sony WX300 to offer more detail as a result of its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The more aged W290 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Sony W290 vs Sony WX300 sensor size comparison

Sony W290 vs Sony WX300 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony W290 vs Sony WX300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony W290 Portrait photography info
Sony WX300 Portrait photography info
27
manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
36
MP count good (18MP)
supports face detect autofocus
no manual focus
no manual mode
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Street Comparison

Sony W290 Street photography details
Sony WX300 Street photography details
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (166g)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Sports Comparison

Sony W290 as a Sports photography camera
Sony WX300 as a Sports photography camera
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
49
long zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Travel Comparison

Sony W290 Travel photography features
Sony WX300 Travel photography features
57
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
71
lighter than others in class (166 grams)
MP count good (18MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
long reach (500mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
does not posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony W290
Landscape photography with Sony WX300
41
manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
no manual mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
missing Time Lapse recording
44
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18MP)
no manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Time Lapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Sony W290 Vlogging details
Sony WX300 Vlogging details
28
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic socket
35
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others in class (166g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not posses selfie friendly display
missing mic support
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sony W290 vs Sony WX300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony W290 and Sony WX300
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX300
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX300
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2009-02-17 2013-02-20
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
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 18 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.2 f/3.5-6.5
Macro focusing range 10cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 2s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.90 m 4.30 m
Flash options 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
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4 AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 grams (0.37 pounds) 166 grams (0.37 pounds)
Physical dimensions 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 96 x 55 x 25mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0")
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-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) -
Time lapse recording
Storage type Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $230 $330