• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.4 inch 27.1mm2
  • 10.2 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 250.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony DSC-W290 advantages over Sony DSC-HX5V

  • Less expensive
    $249 vs $349 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • More pixels
    12.1 vs 10.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony DSC-HX5V advantages over Sony DSC-W290

  • More telephoto lens reach
    250 mm vs 140 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Wider angle lens
    25 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 2 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 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

  • 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
  • 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 Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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

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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
Sony DSC-HX5V
Sony DSC-W170
  • $294
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Built-in GPS
  • $225
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

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
Sony DSC-HX5V
Panasonic DMC-FS25S
  • $294
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Built-in GPS
  • $175
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

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
Sony DSC-HX5V
Canon SD970 IS
  • $294
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Built-in GPS
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • More pixels

Compared to Nikon S8100

Sony DSC-W290
Nikon S8100
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $227
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • HDMI out
Sony DSC-HX5V
Nikon S8100
  • $294
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $227
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Ricoh CX5

Sony DSC-W290
Ricoh CX5
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • HDMI out
Sony DSC-HX5V
Ricoh CX5
  • $294
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Wider angle lens
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus
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