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

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Differences

Sony DSC-W290 advantages over Nikon AW110

  • Less expensive
    $249 vs $350 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/3.3 vs f/3.9
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 300 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Nikon AW110 advantages over Sony DSC-W290

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    614k 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
    16.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    4 vs 2 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.0 fps vs 1.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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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Review Excerpt

  • Good still photo and video quality for its class; Built-in Wi-Fi for image sharing with a paired smartphone or tablet; Waterproof to a category-best depth of 59 feet; Generally speedy operation.

  • Not a huge improvement over predecessor; Lens dimmer than others at wide angle; Annoyingly sharp metal strap lugs; Below average battery life.

  • Read our Nikon AW110 Express Review

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

Nikon AW110
Sony DSC-W170
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $225
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Nikon AW110 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

Nikon AW110
Panasonic DMC-FS25S
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $175
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Nikon AW110 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

Nikon AW110
Canon SD970 IS
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Nikon AW110 vs Canon SD970 IS

Compared to Fujifilm XP60

Sony DSC-W290
Fujifilm XP60
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compare Sony DSC-W290 vs Fujifilm XP60

Nikon AW110
Fujifilm XP60
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 60p video

Compare Nikon AW110 vs Fujifilm XP60

Compared to Fujifilm XP70

Sony DSC-W290
Fujifilm XP70
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Sony DSC-W290 vs Fujifilm XP70

Nikon AW110
Fujifilm XP70
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • More dots on screen
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 60p video

Compare Nikon AW110 vs Fujifilm XP70

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