Request a product

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W300

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyCyber-shot DSC-W290SonyCyber-shot DSC-W300
Overview
Released20092008
Image and sensor
Camera typeCompactCompact
Sensor format1/2.3-type1/1.7-type
Sensor typeSuper HAD CCDSuper HAD CCD
Effective resolution12.1 MP13.6 MP
Largest image4000 × 30004224 × 3168
RAW recordingNoNo
Standard ISO range80–320080–3200
Sensor detail1/2.3-type primary-colour Super HAD CCD, approximately 12.1 million effective and 12.4 million total photosites; optical format is not physical dimensions1/1.7-type primary-colour Super HAD CCD, approximately 13.6 million effective and 13.9 million total photosites; optical format is not physical dimensions
Image formatsJPEG, maximum 4000 × 3000 pixels; 4000 × 2672 in 3:2 or 4000 × 2248/1920 × 1080 in 16:9JPEG, maximum 4224 × 3168 pixels; 4224 × 2816 in 3:2 or 4224 × 2376/1920 × 1080 in 16:9
ISO detailAuto or ISO 80–3200Auto or ISO80–3200 at full resolution; EX High Sensitivity extends to ISO6400 at reduced 3-megapixel resolution
Image processorBIONZ with standard and Plus D-range optimisation and Clear RAW NR; photographs recorded as JPEG rather than RAWBIONZ with standard and Plus D-range optimisation; Clear RAW NR and adjustable noise-reduction levels; photographs recorded as JPEG rather than RAW
Lens and shooting
Built-in lens28–140 mm equivalent35–105 mm equivalent
Maximum aperturef/3.3–5.2f/2.8–5.5
Optical zoom5×3×
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationOptical lens stabilisation
Maximum continuous burst–1.9 fps
Lens detailCarl 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 adapterCarl Zeiss Vario-Tessar, actual 7.6–22.8 mm, equivalent to 35–105 mm; six elements in five groups including three aspherical elements. Optional conversion lenses or 37 mm filters require VAD-WF adapter
AutofocusNine-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 ShutterNine-area Multipoint, centre or spot AF with illuminator; semi-manual presets 0.5/1/3/7 m or infinity. Auto/macro focus approximately 5 cm wide or 34 cm telephoto. Face detection for up to eight people with child/adult priority and Smile Shutter
ShutterSony Germany specifies automatic shutter approximately 2–1/1600 second; preliminary Hong Kong sheet lists Auto 1/4–1/1600 and Program 1–1/1600Auto approximately 1/4–1/2000 second; Program 1–1/2000 second; Manual 30–1/1000 second
Burst detailMaker 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 conflictFull-resolution continuous shooting approximately 1.9 fps (Les Numériques exact-model test; maker archive gives up to 100 frames at all sizes). Maker EX High-Speed mode reaches 5 fps only at reduced 3-megapixel resolution; flash slows shooting
Stabilisation detailOptical SteadyShotOptical Super SteadyShot with Shooting or Continuous modes
FlashBuilt-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 telephotoBuilt-in flash with Auto, forced, off, slow-sync and red-eye reduction; ISO Auto range approximately 0.2–5.5 m wide or 0.4–2.8 m telephoto
Exposure controlsIntelligent 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 exposuresAuto, Easy, Program, Manual and scene selections; ±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps and exposure bracketing. One-push custom white balance; iSCN recognises five scene types, Advanced mode can take a second photograph using optimised settings
Video
Highest video resolution1280 × 720 at 30 fps640 × 480 at 30 fps
Video detailMPEG-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)MPEG Movie VX Fine 640 × 480 at approximately 30 fps requires Memory Stick PRO Duo; Standard approximately 17 fps or Presentation 320 × 240 approximately 8 fps. Manual limits continuous movies to approximately ten minutes; no HD movie recording or playback
AudioBuilt-in mono microphone and speaker; multi-connector supports stereo audio outputMPEG1 mono movie sound; built-in mono microphone and speaker
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderNoneOptical
Screen size3″2.7″
Screen dots230,400230,400
TouchscreenNoNo
Tilting screenNoNo
Display detailFixed 3.0-type TFT LCD, 230400 dots; no optical or electronic viewfinderFixed 2.7-type Clear Photo TFT LCD, 230400 dots; optical zoom viewfinder
Connections and design
BluetoothNo–
Battery life (maker's claim)300 photographs300 photographs
Body weight145 g156 g
Release detailReleased 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 monthReleased in 2008. Sony Hong Kong scheduled availability for the end of April 2008, Sony US scheduled May shipping and Sony Japan specified 16 May. These launch announcements do not confirm the actual first retail month
Recording mediaApproximately 11 MB internal memory; Memory Stick Duo, PRO Duo or PRO-HG Duo. No SD card slotApproximately 15 MB internal memory; Memory Stick Duo, PRO Duo or PRO-HG Duo. No SD card slot
PortsType2b multi-use connector for USB 2.0 Hi-Speed, AV and DC input; HD component output needs optional adapter cable, rather than an HDMI socketMulti-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 socket
Battery life detailSupplied 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 batterySupplied NP-BG1, 3.4 Wh/960 mAh; optional NP-FG1 supported. Manual CIPA claim approximately 300 photographs/150 minutes with LCD on or 340/170 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 ten
ChargingExternal BC-CSGD/BC-CSGE charger, approximately 330 minutes full or 270 minutes normal charge at 25°C; optional AC-LS5K adapterExternal BC-CSGB/BC-CSGC charger, approximately 330 minutes full charge or 270 minutes normal charge at 25°C; optional AC-LS5K adapter
Dimensions97.6 × 57.4 × 22.6 mm (width × height × depth), excluding protrusions, in final manual94.3 × 59 × 26.8 mm (width × height × depth), excluding protrusions
Weight detail145 g body-only in Sony Germany specifications; approximately 174 g including NP-BG1 and Memory Stick Duo in the exact W290 manual entry156 g body-only in Sony Japan specifications; approximately 187 g including NP-BG1, Memory Stick Duo and supplied accessories
MaterialsMetal bodyStainless-steel body with titanium coating
ColoursSilver, black, blue or bronzeTitanium grey
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

More comparisons