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Sony W290 vs Sony WX50

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
36
Overall
37

Sony W290 vs Sony WX50 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
  • Revealed February 2009
Sony WX50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.6-6.3) lens
  • 117g - 92 x 52 x 19mm
  • Revealed January 2012
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Sony W290 vs Sony WX50 Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Sony W290 versus Sony WX50, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras and both of them are offered by Sony. There is a noticeable difference between the image resolutions of the W290 (12MP) and WX50 (16MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The W290 was brought out 3 years before the WX50 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the W290 scores versus the WX50 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Sony WX50

 W290 WX50 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony WX50 over the Sony W290

 WX50 W290 
RevealedJanuary 2012February 2009More recent by 35 months
Screen resolution461k230kClearer screen (+231k dot)

Common features in the Sony W290 and Sony WX50

 W290 WX50 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Sony W290 vs Sony WX50 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you will want to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Sony W290 enjoys physical dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs) and the Sony WX50 has dimensions of 92mm x 52mm x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7") having a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Analyze the Sony W290 versus Sony WX50 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. Here is a front view scale comparison of the W290 versus the WX50.

Sony W290 vs Sony WX50 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the W290 and WX50 is 94 and 96 respectively.

Sony W290 vs Sony WX50 top view buttons comparison

Sony W290 vs Sony WX50 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's hard to visualise the difference between sensor measurements simply by reading technical specs. The visual here should give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the W290 and WX50.

As you have seen, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You can expect the Sony WX50 to offer greater detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures way more aggressively. The older W290 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Sony W290 vs Sony WX50 sensor size comparison

Sony W290 vs Sony WX50 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony W290 vs Sony WX50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony W290
Portrait photography with Sony WX50
27
you can focus manually
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
34
megapixel count decent (16MP)
features face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony W290
Street photography with Sony WX50
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (117g)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sony W290 Sports photography features
Sony WX50 Sports photography features
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
44
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony W290 Travel photography features
Sony WX50 Travel photography features
57
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
69
lighter than competitors (117g)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony W290 Landscape photography highlights
Sony WX50 Landscape photography highlights
41
you can focus manually
really wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
no manual exposure
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
38
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
lack of manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
screen is small (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony W290 as a Vlogging camera
Sony WX50 as a Vlogging camera
28
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic support
35
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors (117 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone socket
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Sony W290 vs Sony WX50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony W290 and Sony WX50
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50
General Information
Company Sony Sony
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2009-02-17 2012-01-30
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias 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 12800
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 25-125mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.2 f/2.6-6.3
Macro focusing distance 10cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 461k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech - Clearfoto TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 2s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.90 m 5.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 167g (0.37 pounds) 117g (0.26 pounds)
Physical dimensions 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 92 x 52 x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" 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 life - 240 shots
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage 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
Price at release $230 $250