• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 224.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Sony DSC-W290 advantages over Canon N2

  • Less expensive
    $249 vs $300 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 300 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 32 mm
    Thinner

Canon N2 advantages over Sony DSC-W290

  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • More telephoto lens reach
    224 mm vs 140 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Newer
    10 years vs 16 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    461k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 2 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    2.7 fps vs 1.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Neither provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony DSC-W290

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon N2
Canon N2 (Black)
  • Canon N2 (Black)
  • Canon N2 (White)
All N2 Deals

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSC-W170

Sony DSC-W290
Sony DSC-W170
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels
  • $225
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Sony DSC-W290 vs Sony DSC-W170

Canon N2
Sony DSC-W170
  • $699
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $225
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon N2 vs Sony DSC-W170

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FS25S

Sony DSC-W290
Panasonic DMC-FS25S
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $175
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer exposure
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Sony DSC-W290 vs Panasonic DMC-FS25S

Canon N2
Panasonic DMC-FS25S
  • $699
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $175
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon N2 vs Panasonic DMC-FS25S

Compared to Canon SD970 IS

Sony DSC-W290
Canon SD970 IS
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • HDMI out

Compare Sony DSC-W290 vs Canon SD970 IS

Canon N2
Canon SD970 IS
  • $699
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon N2 vs Canon SD970 IS

Compared to Canon N

Sony DSC-W290
Canon N
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $749
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony DSC-W290 vs Canon N

Canon N2
Canon N
  • $699
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $749
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoots 24p video

Compare Canon N2 vs Canon N

Compared to Nikon S6900

Sony DSC-W290
Nikon S6900
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $500
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen

Compare Sony DSC-W290 vs Nikon S6900

Canon N2
Nikon S6900
  • $699
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Longer exposure
  • $500
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon N2 vs Nikon S6900

Compare Other Cameras?