• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 250.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony W690 advantages over Canon G16

  • More telephoto lens reach
    250 mm vs 140 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Thinner
    21 mm vs 40 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    142g vs 355g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    25 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Canon G16 advantages over Sony W690

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    1/1.7 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.90 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/1.8 vs f/3.3
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 770 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 77k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    250 vs 2 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.5 fps vs 1.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/1600 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • AF speed vastly improved; Increased continuous frames per second (JPEGs at 12.5fps vs 10fps in G15); Solid build and ergonomic, comfortable feel; Excellent f/1.8-2.8 5x optical zoom lens; Advanced photographic features, including PASM dial and RAW capture; Dedicated ISO button; Customizable buttons; Excellent macro mode; 1080p/60fps Full HD video.

  • LCD screen not articulated; Larger design makes it not very pocketable; Optical viewfinder not very accurate; RAW burst shooting still slow; Wi-Fi is clunky to set-up & no remote shooting capabilities; No built-in GPS.

The Competition

Compared to Samsung ST200F

Sony W690
Samsung ST200F
  • $257
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $225
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More dots on screen
Canon G16
Samsung ST200F
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $225
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Thinner

Compared to Nikon S6300

Sony W690
Nikon S6300
  • $257
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $197
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • Faster JPEG shooting
Canon G16
Nikon S6300
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $197
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Thinner

Compared to Olympus XZ-2

Sony W690
Olympus XZ-2
  • $257
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Canon G16
Olympus XZ-2
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Canon G15

Sony W690
Canon G15
  • $257
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Canon G16
Canon G15
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compared to Sony WX80

Sony W690
Sony WX80
  • $257
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Canon G16
Sony WX80
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Thinner
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