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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W170 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyCyber-shot DSC-W170SonyCyber-shot DSC-W290
Overview
ReleasedApril 20082009
Image and sensor
Camera typeCompactCompact
Sensor format1/2.3-type1/2.3-type
Sensor typeSuper HAD CCDSuper HAD CCD
Effective resolution10.1 MP12.1 MP
Largest image3648 × 27364000 × 3000
RAW recordingNoNo
Standard ISO range80–320080–3200
Sensor detail1/2.3-type primary-colour Super HAD CCD, approximately 10.1 million effective and 10.3 million total photosites; optical format is not physical sensor dimensions1/2.3-type primary-colour Super HAD CCD, approximately 12.1 million effective and 12.4 million total photosites; optical format is not physical dimensions
Image formatsJPEG, 3648 × 2736 maximum; 3648 × 2432 in 3:2 or 3648 × 2056/1920 × 1080 in 16:9JPEG, maximum 4000 × 3000 pixels; 4000 × 2672 in 3:2 or 4000 × 2248/1920 × 1080 in 16:9
ISO detailAuto or ISO80–3200Auto or ISO 80–3200
Image processorBIONZ with standard and Plus D-range optimisation and Clear RAW NR; photographs are recorded as JPEG rather than RAWBIONZ with standard and Plus D-range optimisation and Clear RAW NR; photographs recorded as JPEG rather than RAW
Lens and shooting
Built-in lens28–140 mm equivalent28–140 mm equivalent
Maximum aperturef/3.3–5.2f/3.3–5.2
Optical zoom5×5×
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationOptical lens stabilisation
Maximum continuous burst1.6 fps–
Lens detailCarl Zeiss Vario-Tessar, actual 5–25 mm, equivalent to 28–140 mm; nine elements in seven groups including one ED and three aspherical elements. Conversion lenses/46 mm filters require optional VAD-WE adapterCarl Zeiss Vario-Tessar, actual 5–25 mm, equivalent to 28–140 mm for photographs; movie field of view equivalent to 31–155 mm in 16:9 or 37–185 mm in 4:3. Conversion lenses/46 mm filters require an optional adapter
AutofocusNine-area Multipoint, centre or spot AF with illuminator; semi-manual distance presets 0.5/1/3/7 m or infinity. Auto/macro focus from approximately 10 cm wide or 50 cm telephoto; face detection for up to eight people with child/adult priority, Smile ShutterNine-area Multipoint, centre or spot AF with illuminator; semi-manual presets 0.5/1/3/7 m or infinity. Auto/macro focus approximately 10 cm wide or 50 cm telephoto. Face detection up to eight people with child/adult priority, selected-face memory, motion detection and Smile Shutter
ShutterAuto approximately 1/4–1/1600 second; Program approximately 1–1/1600 secondSony Germany specifies automatic shutter approximately 2–1/1600 second; preliminary Hong Kong sheet lists Auto 1/4–1/1600 and Program 1–1/1600
Burst detailSony US datasheet specifies 1.6 fps for up to 100 photographs at all resolutions; some scene modes unavailable and flash reduces the shooting speedMaker specifies up to 100 photographs. Sony Germany gives approximately 0.57-second burst intervals, while the English manual specifies approximately 1.8 seconds; What Digital Camera measured nearly 2 fps. Main frame rate omitted because published maker intervals conflict
Stabilisation detailOptical Super SteadyShot with Shooting or Continuous modesOptical SteadyShot
FlashBuilt-in flash with Auto, forced, off, slow-sync and red-eye reduction; manual ISO Auto range approximately 0.2–4.2 m wide or 0.5–2.7 m telephotoBuilt-in flash with Auto, forced, off, slow-sync and red-eye reduction; final manual ISO Auto range approximately 0.2–3 m wide or 0.5–1.9 m telephoto
Exposure controlsAuto, Easy, Program and scene selections; iSCN recognises five scene types, with Advanced mode taking a second photograph when a different setting is selected; ±2 EV compensationIntelligent Auto, Easy, Program and scene selections; ±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps and exposure bracketing. iSCN recognises eight scene types and Advanced mode can capture two alternative exposures
Video
Highest video resolution640 × 480 at 30 fps1280 × 720 at 30 fps
Video detailMPEG Movie VX Fine 640 × 480 at approximately 30 fps requires Memory Stick PRO Duo or PRO-HG Duo; Standard approximately 16.6 fps and Presentation 320 × 240 approximately 8.3 fps in the launch sheet. Manual limits continuous movies to approximately ten minutes; no HD movie recording or playbackMPEG-4 Visual 1280 × 720 Fine 9 Mbps or Standard 6 Mbps, or 640 × 480 VGA 3 Mbps; Sony US launch specifies 30 fps. Manual limits continuous movies to approximately 29 minutes; 720p requires Memory Stick PRO Duo. Optical zoom unavailable during recording (What Digital Camera)
AudioMPEG1 mono movie sound; built-in mono microphone and speakerBuilt-in mono microphone and speaker; multi-connector supports stereo audio output
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalNone
Screen size2.7″3″
Screen dots230,400230,400
TouchscreenNoNo
Tilting screenNoNo
Display detailFixed 2.7-type TFT LCD, 230400 dots in the manual versus rounded 230K in the datasheet; optical zoom viewfinderFixed 3.0-type TFT LCD, 230400 dots; no optical or electronic viewfinder
Connections and design
Bluetooth–No
Battery life (maker's claim)390 photographs300 photographs
Body weight142 g145 g
Release detailSony US announcement specifies April 2008 store availability, Sony Japan states 11 April and Hong Kong planned May. First international retail month retained because an earlier day within April is unconfirmedReleased in 2009. Sony Hong Kong scheduled availability for the end of March 2009; Sony US scheduled April purchase availability with March pre-orders. These announcements establish planned months rather than confirming the actual first retail month
Recording mediaApproximately 15 MB internal memory; Memory Stick Duo, PRO Duo or PRO-HG Duo. No SD card slotApproximately 11 MB internal memory; Memory Stick Duo, PRO Duo or PRO-HG Duo. No SD card slot
PortsMulti-use connector for USB 2.0 Hi-Speed and mono AV output; HD component still-photo output requires optional cable or HD Cyber-shot Station cradle, rather than an HDMI socketType2b multi-use connector for USB 2.0 Hi-Speed, AV and DC input; HD component output needs optional adapter cable, rather than an HDMI socket
Battery life detailSupplied NP-BG1, 3.4 Wh/960 mAh; optional NP-FG1 compatible. Manual CIPA claim approximately 390 photographs/195 minutes with LCD on or 460/230 minutes off at 25°C, Normal recording, Single AF, Shooting stabilisation, alternating zoom ends, one shot every 30 seconds, flash every second shot and power cycle every tenSupplied NP-BG1, typical 3.4 Wh/960 mAh and minimum 3.3 Wh/910 mAh; optional NP-FG1 supported. Exact W290 manual CIPA claim approximately 300 photographs/150 minutes with supplied fully charged battery
ChargingExternal BC-CSGB/BC-CSGC charger: approximately 330 minutes full charge or 270 minutes normal charge at 25°C; optional AC-LS5K adapter supportedExternal BC-CSGD/BC-CSGE charger, approximately 330 minutes full or 270 minutes normal charge at 25°C; optional AC-LS5K adapter
Dimensions93.7 × 58 × 24 mm (width × height × depth), excluding protrusions97.6 × 57.4 × 22.6 mm (width × height × depth), excluding protrusions, in final manual
Weight detail142 g body-only in Sony Japan specifications; approximately 175 g including NP-BG1, Memory Stick Duo and supplied accessories145 g body-only in Sony Germany specifications; approximately 174 g including NP-BG1 and Memory Stick Duo in the exact W290 manual entry
Materials–Metal body
ColoursSilver, black, red or gold; finishes share this modelSilver, black, blue or bronze
In the boxNP-BG1, external battery charger, multi-use USB/AV cable, wrist strap, software/handbook CD-ROM and instructions; memory card not suppliedNP-BG1, external battery charger, multi-use USB/AV cable, wrist strap, software/handbook CD-ROM and instructions; memory card not supplied

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