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The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 is an ultra-thin digital camera released by Sony in April, 2009. An upgrade from the DSC-W230, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 sports an ultra-compact thin body with a 3” LCD display and a 5x (versus 4x) / 12.1 megapixels Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar optical zoom lens. Unlike its predecessor, the DSC-W290 adds along an intelligent auto mode that “thinks” for the user by detecting scene conditions and then adjusting settings as necessary. Plus, the intelligent auto mode enhances face pictures by capturing natural skin tones, identifying open/closed eyes, and reducing blurs without damaging image quality. In addition, the DSC-W290 records movies (w/sound) at 720p (versus 640x480) using an MPEG-4 codec. The DSC-W290 also boasts selected-face memory that allows the user to zero in on the main subject’s face. The next time the camera detects that face within the frame, it will automatically focus on that individual. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 retails for $249.95 and comes with a 90 day limited warranty.
MSRP $249.95
Release date April, 2009
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Pros & Cons31
Reviews11
Details
Buy It8
Competitors4
Related2
Gallery2
Pros & Cons
5 positive
3 mixed
1 negative
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The ProSCORE is calculated based on the ratio of Pros & Cons about this product as voted by
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ProSCORE = 100 x (Pro votes) / [(Pro votes) + (Con votes)]
Numbers used for this ProSCORE:
Pro votes = 51
Con votes = 34
Total votes = 85
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Details
Features
- Thin Body
- 3" LCD
- 5x / 12 Megapixels Lens
- Intelligent Auto Mode
- Face Detection (8 Faces)
- Optical SteadyShot
- Smile Shutter
- iSCN Advanced (8 Scenes)
- 11MB Onboard Memory + MS Duo Slot
- NP-BD1/FD1 Li-ion Battery (220 shots per charge)
- 720p Video Recording @ 30 fpm
- Available in Silver, Black, Blue, and Bronze
- 90 Day Limited Warranty
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This report was started
February 17, 2009 at 8:35 pm by
vsaxena911
with the last edit occurring
Tuesday, 3:10 PM by
Lefty10
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Buy It
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
• Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 12 MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom and Super Steady Shot Image Stabilization (Silver)
• Cyber-shot W290 Silver Digital Camera
UPC: 027242749122
EAN: 027242749122
MPN: DSC-W290
Competitors
MSRP $229.99
Released August, 2009
Pros
- dual image stabilization
- shoots video in 720p high definition
- face, smile and blink detection
- wide angle lens
- utilizes affordable, easy to find and capacious SD/SDHC flash storage
Cons
- basic point and shoot - 5x optical zoom, low resolution 3.0" display (230k dot)
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
vs.
Samsung PL70
MSRP $229.99
Released March, 2009
The Casio Exilim EX-Z270 is an ultra-compact hi-speed digital camera small enough to fit perfectly in the palm of one’s hand. The first of two Casio EX-Z models, the EX-Z270 and its peer (the EX-Z400) are comparative peers to the EX-S models, primarily the EX-S12. Like its peer, the EX-Z270 features an advanced high-speed...
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
vs.
Casio Exilim EX-Z270
MSRP $230.00
Released March, 2009
The Canon SD1200 IS is a point-and-shoot digital camera from Canon's Digital ELPH series. The camera features a 10 megapixel sensor and records VGA video in 640 x 480 resolution. It includes a DIGIC 4 Image Processor that delivers face detection technology and has a face detection self timer for taking self portraits and group shots. The SD120...
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
vs.
Canon SD1200 IS
MSRP $249.99
Released March, 2009
The PowerShot A2100 IS is an entry-level point and shoot digital camera from Canon. The A2100 IS features a 12.1 megapixel DIGIC IV image processor, a 6x optical zoom lens and is compatible with standard AA batteries. Users can set up their shots using the built-in 3.0” LCD screen. This camera differs from the...
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
vs.
Canon A2100 IS
Reviews
May 4, 2009
approved
reviewer
trusted
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Pros
- records video in 720p high definition
- 3" LCD display
- affordable price
- available in silver, black, blue and bronze
- compatible with a specially designed GPS unit for geotagging
Cons
- utilizes less common, slightly more expensive and less capacious MS Duo flash storage
- 90-day limited warranty
- basic point and shoot
Did you find this review helpful?
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/
No
May 23, 2009
approved
reviewer
love it
have it
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Pros
- records video in 720p high definition
- 3" LCD display
- affordable price
- can easily take 10 pictures automatically in 30-45 seconds (Great for catching somebody having a laughing fit)
- super fast startup time
- available in silver, black, blue and bronze
- compatible with a specially designed GPS unit for geotagging
- great for night-time shots, especially with a tripod
Cons
- utilizes less common, slightly more expensive and less capacious MS Duo flash storage
- you can NOT ZOOM while shooting video
- no docking cradle, memory or a case provided with the camera
- No optical viewfinder.
- No screen gain-up when shooting in dark conditions.
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
May 27, 2009
approved
reviewer
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Pros
- records video in 720p high definition
- affordable price
- attractive design
- 5x optical zoom
- good layout of controls
- decent color reproduction
Cons
- 90-day limited warranty
- has a textured body that attracts dirt and fingerprints and is hard to clean
- battery/memory stick compartment pops open too easily
- doesn't display battery life
- jack is at the bottom of the camera
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
May 25, 2009
approved
reviewer
have it
2 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Pros
- records video in 720p high definition
- 3" LCD display
- affordable price
Cons
- utilizes less common, slightly more expensive and less capacious MS Duo flash storage
- you can NOT ZOOM while shooting video
- 90-day limited warranty
- No optical viewfinder.
- No screen gain-up when shooting in dark conditions.
- Screen poor in bright light.
- Sofware does not allow downloading from second camera. Canon software works with all.
- USB cable not standard.
- Storage card not standard and not compatible with other devices (TV)
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
June 23, 2009
approved
reviewer
want it
Pros
- records video in 720p high definition
- 3" LCD display
- can easily take 10 pictures automatically in 30-45 seconds (Great for catching somebody having a laughing fit)
- super fast startup time
- attractive design
- available in silver, black, blue and bronze
- 5x optical zoom
- good layout of controls
- decent color reproduction
Cons
- utilizes less common, slightly more expensive and less capacious MS Duo flash storage
- you can NOT ZOOM while shooting video
- no docking cradle, memory or a case provided with the camera
- No optical viewfinder.
- has a textured body that attracts dirt and fingerprints and is hard to clean
- battery/memory stick compartment pops open too easily
- doesn't display battery life
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
June 23, 2009
approved
reviewer
Pros
- records video in 720p high definition
- 3" LCD display
- affordable price
- can easily take 10 pictures automatically in 30-45 seconds (Great for catching somebody having a laughing fit)
- super fast startup time
- attractive design
- available in silver, black, blue and bronze
- 5x optical zoom
- good layout of controls
- decent color reproduction
Cons
- utilizes less common, slightly more expensive and less capacious MS Duo flash storage
- Image quality not great for zooming in (tight cropping) once on computer as compared to my older camera
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
July 12, 2009
approved
reviewer
have it
Pros
- records video in 720p high definition
- 3" LCD display
- affordable price
- super fast startup time
- attractive design
- 5x optical zoom
- good layout of controls
- decent color reproduction
Cons
- 90-day limited warranty
- battery/memory stick compartment pops open too easily
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
July 21, 2009
approved
reviewer
love it
Pros
- can easily take 10 pictures automatically in 30-45 seconds (Great for catching somebody having a laughing fit)
Cons
- no docking cradle, memory or a case provided with the camera
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
October 3, 2009
approved
reviewer
want it
Cons
Did not agree with any cons
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Pros
- can easily take 10 pictures automatically in 30-45 seconds (Great for catching somebody having a laughing fit)
- super fast startup time
- great for night-time shots, especially with a tripod
Cons
- you can NOT ZOOM while shooting video
- no docking cradle, memory or a case provided with the camera
- bit too bulky; heavier and thicker than the W300 and the T series
- slow switching from menus and functions
- plastic cover on LCD screen protrudes, making it more easily scratched
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
Price comparison information by:
This product is also known as:
Cyber, shot, Cybershot, DSC, W, 290, DSCW, W290, DSCW290
