• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 37.00mm - 185.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
  • Canon PowerShot SD970 IS
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:    
General
Model Number: DSC-W290 SD970 IS
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Ultra Compact Ultra Compact
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $249.00 $379.99
Street Price:   $169.95
Date Available: 2009-04-01 2009-04-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 6.1 oz (174 g)
includes batteries
6.7 oz (189 g)
includes batteries
Size: 3.8 x 2.3 x 0.9 in.
(98 x 57 x 23 mm)
3.7 x 2.2 x 1.0 in.
(95 x 57 x 26 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CCD CCD
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Super HAD  
Effective Megapixels: 12.1 12.1
Sensor Format: 1/2.3 inch 1/2.3 inch
Sensor size: 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm) 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.54 microns 1.54 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a n/a
Aspect Ratio: 4:3, 3:2 4:3, 16:9
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:    
Self-Cleaning: No No
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score:    
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):    
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):    
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):    
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4000 x 3000 (12.0 MP, 4:3),
4000 x 2672 (10.7 MP, 3:2),
4000 x 2248 (9.0 MP, 16:9),
3264 x 2448 (8.0 MP, 4:3),
2592 x 1944 (5.0 MP, 4:3),
2048 x 1536 (3.1 MP, 4:3),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
4000 x 3000 (12.0 MP, 4:3),
4000 x 2248 (9.0 MP, 16:9),
3264 x 2448 (8.0 MP, 4:3),
2592 x 1944 (5.0 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
Image File Format: JPEG JPEG (EXIF 2.2)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 1.8 1.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 640x480 (30/​16.6)
320x240 (8.3)
1280x720 (30)
640x480 (30)
320x240 (30)
Movie File Format: MPEG4 MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM)
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder:
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: Component HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a n/a
Lens: Carl Zeiss, 9 elements in 7 groups including 1 ED, 3 aspherical elements Canon Zoom Lens (8 elements in 6 groups, including 2 aspherical)
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 28 - 140mm 37 - 185mm
Focal Length (actual): 5 - 25mm 6.6 - 33mm
Zoom Ratio: 5.00x 5.00x
Aperture Range: f/3.3 (wide) / f/5.2 (tele) - f/13 f/3.2 or f/9.2 (W) / f/5.8 or f/16.6 (T)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 10 cm to Infinity
3.9 in to Infinity
50 cm to Infinity
19.7 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 10 cm to Infinity
3.9 in to Infinity
2 - 50 cm
0.8 - 19.7 in
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: 2x Precision, up to 31x Smart Zoom Up to 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 9-point Contrast Detection Contrast Detect AF with Face Detection
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes No
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: LCD LCD
Viewfinder Type:    
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):    
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):    
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: No No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 230,000 dots 461,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 8.0x 10.0x
Top Deck Display:
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):    
Minimum ISO (native):    
ISO Settings: Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200* (*special scene mode)
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent 1/2/3, Incandescent, Flash, Underwater (4) Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/1600 - 2 sec 1/1600 - 15 sec
Bulb Mode: No No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Multi-pattern, Center-weighted, Spot Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot, Face Detect AE
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: No No
Shutter Priority: No No
Full Manual Exposure: No No
Creative Exposure Modes: Easy, High Sensitivity, Twilight, Twilight portrait, Landscape, Softsnap, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Sports, Underwater, Gourmet Portrait, Foliage, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Fireworks, Creative Light Effect, Aquarium, Underwater, ISO 3200, Indoor, Kids & Pets, Night Snapshot, Color Accent, Color Swap, Digital Macro, Long Shutter, Exposure Zoom, Stitch Assist
Self Timer: 10 or 2 seconds 2 or 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, On, Slow Synch, Off Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Auto Red-eye Correction, Flash On, Flash Off; FE lock, Slow Synchro
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: Auto ISO: 0.2m - 3.0m (W), 0.5m - 1.9m (T) Auto ISO: 1-11 ft./30cm-3.5m (W), 1-6.6 ft./30cm-2.0m (T)
Max Flash Sync:    
Flash Exposure Compensation:    
External Flash Connection: n/a n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: MS Duo / MS PRO Duo SD / SDHC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: No No
Uncompressed Format:    
Movie File Format: MPEG4 MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM)
Included Memory: 11.0 MB No memory included
Included Memory Type: Internal  
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: No
Remote Control Type:    
Connections (extended): Multi-jack Multipurpose USB/AV connector, HDMI output
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution):   1.98
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):    
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press?
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 1.8 1.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 100 Unlimited
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid):   0.40 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):   0.45 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus):    
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused):   0.078 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time:   1.9 seconds
Play -> Record Time:    
Flash cycle time, full power:   8.0 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 300 shots 270 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary Info LITHIUM Proprietary NB-5L
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NB-5L Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Sony CD-ROM Canon Software Suite CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS Windows, Mac OS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Optical SteadyShot image stabilization, Smile Shutter, Intelligent Scene Recognition, Dynamic Range Optimizer, In-camera Retouching, HD Slide Show with music. Available in silver, black, blue and bronze. Optical Image Stabilization, Face Detection, Motion Detection, 720p HD video.