The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 seemed too good to be true when it was announced in February 2009. For less than $250 you get a wide-angle lens with a 5x zoom, 12-megapixel resolution, some of Sony's advanced automatic shooting options, HD video capture, and a 3-inch LCD all packed into a nice-looking body roughly the size of a deck of cards. Sounds pretty great, right? There had to be something wrong.
Well, as with most point-and-shoot cameras of its caliber, the photo quality from the W290 could be a little better and the performance a touch faster. In the end, though, neither was disappointing from this camera (better than expected actually), and if you take into account its attractive price tag, the W290 is tough to beat.
| Key specs | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 |
| Price (MSRP) | $249 nearly |
| Dimensions | 3.9 inches wide by 2.4 inches high by 0.9 inch deep |
| Weight (with battery and media) | 6.1 ounces |
| Megapixels, image sensor size, type | 12 megapixels, 1/2.3-inch CCD |
| LCD size, resolution; Viewfinder | 3-inch LCD, 230K dots; No |
| Lens (zoom, aperture, focal length) | 5x, f3.8-8, 28-140mm (35mm equivalent) |
| File format (still/video) | JPEG/MP4 (MPEG-4) |
| Highest resolution size (still/video) | 4,000x3,000 pixels/1,280x720 at 30fps |
| Image stabilization type | Mechanical and electronic |
| Battery type, rated life | Lithium ion rechargeable, 300 shots |
