• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 960.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony DSC-W290 advantages over Canon SX730 HS

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.19 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 300 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 39 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    174g vs 300g
    Lighter weight

Canon SX730 HS advantages over Sony DSC-W290

  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • More telephoto lens reach
    960 mm vs 140 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Newer
    8 years vs 16 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    922k 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
    20.3 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 2 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.9 fps vs 1.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/3200 vs 1/1600 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

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
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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 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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Buy the Canon SX730 HS

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
Canon SX730 HS
Sony DSC-W170
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $225
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

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
Canon SX730 HS
Panasonic DMC-FS25S
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $175
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life

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
Canon SX730 HS
Canon SD970 IS
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner

Compared to Nikon A900

Sony DSC-W290
Nikon A900
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Manual focus
  • $397
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
Canon SX730 HS
Nikon A900
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Higher-res screen
  • $397
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Canon SX740 HS

Sony DSC-W290
Canon SX740 HS
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner
  • $447
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Tiltable Screen
Canon SX730 HS
Canon SX740 HS
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • NFC
  • $447
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Longer video battery life
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