• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony DSC-W290 advantages over Canon ELPH 100 HS

  • More telephoto lens reach
    140 mm vs 112 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 300 vs 230 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Canon ELPH 100 HS advantages over Sony DSC-W290

  • Less expensive
    $180 vs $249 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.3
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 2 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    3.4 fps vs 1.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 100 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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
  • 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
  • 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

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Review Excerpt

  • Small, smooth, and easily pocketable; Smart Auto makes scene choices for you; Big 3-inch LCD; Good 11x14-inch prints from ISO 100 to 800; Night Scene mode; Full HD video.

  • Buttons could be small for some; Default color can seem muted; Function menu is less friendly than old design; Only digital zoom available in Movie mode.

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 ELPH 100 HS
Sony DSC-W170
  • $160
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $225
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach

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 ELPH 100 HS
Panasonic DMC-FS25S
  • $160
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $175
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • 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 ELPH 100 HS
Canon SD970 IS
  • $160
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More dots on screen

Compared to Canon SD1300 IS

Sony DSC-W290
Canon SD1300 IS
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture
Canon ELPH 100 HS
Canon SD1300 IS
  • $160
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compared to Canon A2200

Sony DSC-W290
Canon A2200
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $129
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture
Canon ELPH 100 HS
Canon A2200
  • $160
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • HDMI out
  • $129
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
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