Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 vs Canon PowerShot S100

Canon PowerShot S100

Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

Overview

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 and the Canon PowerShot S100, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 was introduced in June 2010 and Canon PowerShot S100 was introduced in December 2011. Let us first list highlights of the models.

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 Highlights

14.2 MP APS-C CCD Sensor
100 - 3,200 Native ISO
9 Focus Points
Image Stabilization
2.7" 230k dot Fixed Screen
Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder
2.5 fps Continuous Shooting
Built-in Flash

Canon PowerShot S100 Highlights

12.1 MP 1/1.7-inch CMOS Sensor
80 - 6,400 Native ISO
9 Focus Points (9 Cross-type)
Image Stabilization
3.0" 461k dot Fixed Screen
2.3 fps Continuous Shooting
1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
Built-in Flash
Built-in GPS

Table of Contents

Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

Pros and Cons

In this section we present pros and cons of Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 and Canon PowerShot S100.

PROS

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

Canon PowerShot S100

Face Detection
Live View Autofocus
Image Stabilization
Built-in Flash
HDMI Output
Orientation Sensor

Video Capture
80 Lowest Native ISO
6,400 Highest Native ISO
Face Detection
Live View Autofocus
Image Stabilization
Built-in Flash
High Flash Sync Speed - 1/2000 sec
HDMI Output
Built-in GPS
Light - 198 g (0.44 lb / 6.98 oz)
Orientation Sensor

CONS

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

Canon PowerShot S100

No Video Capture
Low Resolution Sensor - 14.2 Megapixel
3,200 Highest Native ISO
Timelapse Recording
9 Focus Points
Fixed Screen
Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
No Live View
Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.5 fps
No Built-in Microphone
No Microphone Input
No Headphone Output
No Built-in GPS
No Built-In Wi-Fi
No Built-In Bluetooth
No Environmental Sealing
Short Battery Life - 290 shots

Small Sensor
Low Resolution Sensor - 12.1 Megapixel
Timelapse Recording
9 Focus Points
0 Cross-type Focus Points
Fixed Screen
Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
No Viewfinder
Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.3 fps
No External Flash Connectivity
Low DxO Overall Score - 50
Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
No Microphone Input
No Headphone Output
No Built-In Wi-Fi
No Built-In Bluetooth
No Environmental Sealing
Short Battery Life - 200 shots

And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

AVERAGE

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

Canon PowerShot S100

100 Lowest Native ISO
Screen Size - 2.7"
Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
DxO Overall Score - 66
Weight - 549 g (1.21 lb / 19.37 oz)

Screen Size - 3.0"

Advantage of Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

Sony DSLR-A290

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 over Canon PowerShot S100.

	Sony Alpha DSLR-A290	vs	Canon PowerShot S100
Larger Sensor	APS-C	vs	1/1.7-inch
Higher Sensor Resolution	14.2 Megapixel	vs	12.1 Megapixel
Selective Autofocus		vs
Continuous Autofocus		vs
Phase Detection for Autofocus		vs
Viewfinder	Optical (pentamirror)	vs
Lower Min Shutter Speed	30 sec	vs	15 sec
Higher Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain)	1/4000 sec	vs	1/2000 sec
Higher Max Continuous Shooting	2.5 fps	vs	2.3 fps
External Flash Connectivity		vs
Higher DxO Low Light ISO	615	vs	153
Higher DxO Color Depth	22.6	vs	20.7
Higher DxO Overall Score	66	vs	50
Longer Battery Life	290 shots	vs	200 shots

Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Sony Alpha DSLR-A290.

Sony DSLR-A300

APS-C

10.2 MP

Sony DSLR-A390

APS-C

14.2 MP

Sony DSLR-A850

Full Frame

24.6 MP

Sony DSLR-A330

APS-C

10.2 MP

Sony DSLR-A350

APS-C

14.2 MP

Sony DSLR-A100

APS-C

10.2 MP

Sony DSLR-A200

APS-C

10.2 MP

Sony DSLR-A580

APS-C

16.2 MP

Sony DSLR-A900

Full Frame

24.6 MP

Sony DSLR-A230

APS-C

10.2 MP

Sony DSLR-A550

APS-C

14.2 MP

Sony DSLR-A560

APS-C

14.2 MP

Advantage of Canon PowerShot S100

Canon S100

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon PowerShot S100 over Sony Alpha DSLR-A290.

	Sony Alpha DSLR-A290	vs	Canon PowerShot S100
Video Capture		vs
Lower Native ISO	100	vs	80
Higher Native ISO	3,200	vs	6,400
Max Image Resolution	4592 x 3056	vs	4000 x 3000
Tracking Autofocus		vs
Contrast Detection for Autofocus		vs
Larger Screen	2.7"	vs	3.0"
Higher Resolution Screen	230k dot	vs	461k dot
Live View		vs
Higher Flash Sync Speed	1/160 sec	vs	1/2000 sec
Higher DxO Dynamic Range	11.5	vs	11.6
Built-in Microphone		vs	Mono
Built-in GPS		vs
Lighter	549 g (1.21 lb / 19.37 oz)	vs	198 g (0.44 lb / 6.98 oz)

Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Canon PowerShot S100.

Canon S110

1/1.7-inch

12.1 MP

Canon S120

1/1.7-inch

12.1 MP

Canon S200

1/1.7-inch

12.1 MP

Canon S95

1/1.7-inch

10 MP

Canon S90

1/1.7-inch

10.0 MP

Panasonic FP1

1/2.33-inch

12.1 MP

Sony W550

1/2.3-inch

14 MP

Kodak M200

1/3-inch

10 MP

Samsung TL350

1/2.33-inch

10.2 MP

Olympus SZ-30MR

1/2.3-inch

16 MP

Sony DSLR-A330

APS-C

10.2 MP

Canon N100

1/1.7-inch

12.1 MP

Common Strengths and Weaknesses

We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

STRENGTHS	Sony Alpha DSLR-A290	Canon PowerShot S100
Face Detection
Live View Autofocus
Image Stabilization	Sensor Shift
Built-in Flash
HDMI Output
Orientation Sensor

WEAKNESSES	Sony Alpha DSLR-A290	Canon PowerShot S100
Low Resolution Sensor	14.2 Megapixel	12.1 Megapixel
Timelapse Recording
Few Focus Points	9	9
Screen Type	Fixed	Fixed
Low Resolution Screen	230k dot	461k dot
Low Max Continuous Shooting	2.5 fps	2.3 fps
No Microphone Input
No Headphone Output
No Built-In Wi-Fi		Eye-Fi Connection possible
No Built-In Bluetooth
No Environmental Sealing
Short Battery Life	290 shots	200 shots

Screen and Viewfinder

Screen

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 has a 2.7" screen with 230k dot resolution and Canon PowerShot S100 has a 3.0" screen with 461k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.

Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder on Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 has a built-in Optical (pentamirror) viewfinder. It has a 95% coverage and 0.83x (0.55x 35mm equivalent) magnification. There is no built-in or optional viewfinder available on Canon PowerShot S100.

Sensor

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 features a 14.2 megapixel APS-C CCD sensor with dimensions of 23.6 x 15.8 mm and a total area of 372.9 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 3,200. Canon PowerShot S100 features a 12.1 megapixel 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor with dimensions of 7.44 x 5.58 mm and a total area of 31.1 mm². Its native ISO range is 80 - 6,400.

Photography Features

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 is equipped with BIONZ processor and can take pictures up to 4592 x 3056 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4592 x 2576, 3408 x 2272, 3408 x 1920, 2288 x 1520, 2288 x 1280 with 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios. Canon PowerShot S100 is equipped with DIGIC 5 processor and can take pictures up to 4000 x 3000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4000 x 2248, 2816 x 2112, 2816 x 1584, 1920 x 1080, 1600 x 1200, 640 x 480, 640 x 360 with 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.

Image Stabilization

The cameras have a built-in image stabilization. On Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 it means that you are still getting vibration reduction when it is paired with non-image stabilizied lenses. It also works with lenses with optical image stabilization and in combination can achieve even better compensation.

Connectivity, Battery and Storage

Built-in GPS on Canon PowerShot S100

Canon PowerShot S100 has a built-in GPS (Global Positioning System) technology which allows you to automatically tag the location where you took your photos. You can later categorize, organize, and search for photos based on location. This is very useful for travel and outdoor photographers for documenting the locations where images were captured.
Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in GPS.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Both cameras have HDMI connector for video signal output.

Battery

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 comes with NP-FH50 battery pack with battery life of 290 shots and Canon PowerShot S100 comes with NB-5L battery pack with battery life of 200 shots.

External Storage Slots

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 has a single SD/SDHC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo card slot. Canon PowerShot S100 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

Other Features

Shutter

Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Sony Alpha DSLR-A290, and up to 1/2000 sec on Canon PowerShot S100. Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 can shoot continuously up to 2.5 fps. Canon PowerShot S100 can shoot continuously up to 2.3 fps.

Flash

Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 10.00 m at ISO 100 on Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 and 7.00 m on Canon PowerShot S100. Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/160 sec on Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 and 1/2000 sec on Canon PowerShot S100.

Physical Parameters

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 body has dimensions of 128 x 97 x 86 mm (5.04 x 3.82 x 3.39") and Canon PowerShot S100 body has dimensions of 99 x 60 x 28 mm (3.9 x 2.36 x 1.1"). Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 weighs 549 g (1.21 lb / 19.37 oz) and Canon PowerShot S100 weighs 198 g (0.44 lb / 6.98 oz).

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

Canon PowerShot S100

128 mm

97 mm

99 mm

60 mm

97 mm

60 mm

86 mm

28 mm

Size comparisons of Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 and Canon PowerShot S100

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 and Canon PowerShot S100 for Different Types of Photography

We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

Landscape Photography

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

Canon PowerShot S100

AVERAGE

Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
No Live View
No Built-in GPS
No Environmental Sealing

GOOD

Small Sensor
Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
Built-in GPS
No Environmental Sealing

Sports Photography

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

Canon PowerShot S100

AVERAGE

3,200 Highest Native ISO
9 Focus Points
Face Detection
Image Stabilization
Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
No Live View
Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.5 fps
Short Battery Life - 290 shots
Orientation Sensor

AVERAGE

6,400 Highest Native ISO
9 Focus Points
0 Cross-type Focus Points
Face Detection
Image Stabilization
Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
No Viewfinder
Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.3 fps
Short Battery Life - 200 shots
Orientation Sensor

Wildlife Photography

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

Canon PowerShot S100

AVERAGE

3,200 Highest Native ISO
9 Focus Points
Image Stabilization
Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
No Live View
Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.5 fps
No Environmental Sealing
Short Battery Life - 290 shots
Orientation Sensor

AVERAGE

6,400 Highest Native ISO
9 Focus Points
0 Cross-type Focus Points
Image Stabilization
Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
No Viewfinder
Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.3 fps
No Environmental Sealing
Short Battery Life - 200 shots
Orientation Sensor

Portrait Photography

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

Canon PowerShot S100

GOOD

9 Focus Points
Face Detection
Image Stabilization
Screen Size - 2.7"
Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
No Live View
Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
Orientation Sensor

GOOD

Small Sensor
9 Focus Points
0 Cross-type Focus Points
Face Detection
Image Stabilization
Screen Size - 3.0"
Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
High Flash Sync Speed - 1/2000 sec
No External Flash Connectivity
Orientation Sensor

Street Photography

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

Canon PowerShot S100

GOOD

9 Focus Points
Image Stabilization
Fixed Screen
Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
No Live View
No Built-in GPS
No Environmental Sealing
Weight - 549 g (1.21 lb / 19.37 oz)

GOOD

Small Sensor
9 Focus Points
0 Cross-type Focus Points
Image Stabilization
Fixed Screen
Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
No Viewfinder
Built-in GPS
No Environmental Sealing
Light - 198 g (0.44 lb / 6.98 oz)

Travel Photography

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

Canon PowerShot S100

GOOD

Image Stabilization
Fixed Screen
Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
No Built-in GPS
No Environmental Sealing
Weight - 549 g (1.21 lb / 19.37 oz)
Short Battery Life - 290 shots

EXCELLENT

Image Stabilization
Fixed Screen
Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
Built-in GPS
No Environmental Sealing
Light - 198 g (0.44 lb / 6.98 oz)
Short Battery Life - 200 shots

Evaluations

We evaluate Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 and Canon PowerShot S100 and give them scores of 60 and 59 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

Canon PowerShot S100

OVERALL

Sensor

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

Canon PowerShot S100

GOOD

Low Resolution Sensor - 14.2 Megapixel
100 Lowest Native ISO
3,200 Highest Native ISO
DxO Overall Score - 66

AVERAGE

Small Sensor
Low Resolution Sensor - 12.1 Megapixel
80 Lowest Native ISO
6,400 Highest Native ISO
Low DxO Overall Score - 50

Photo

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

Canon PowerShot S100

GOOD

Timelapse Recording
Image Stabilization
Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.5 fps
Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec

AVERAGE

Timelapse Recording
Image Stabilization
Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.3 fps
High Flash Sync Speed - 1/2000 sec
No External Flash Connectivity

Video

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

Canon PowerShot S100

BAD

Image Stabilization

POOR

Image Stabilization
Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080

Focusing

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

Canon PowerShot S100

GOOD

9 Focus Points
Face Detection
Live View Autofocus

AVERAGE

9 Focus Points
0 Cross-type Focus Points
Face Detection
Live View Autofocus

Screen and Viewfinder

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

Canon PowerShot S100

AVERAGE

Fixed Screen
Screen Size - 2.7"
Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot

POOR

Fixed Screen
Screen Size - 3.0"
Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
No Viewfinder

Connectivity

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

Canon PowerShot S100

AVERAGE

HDMI Output
No Built-in Microphone
No Microphone Input
No Headphone Output
No Built-in GPS
No Built-In Wi-Fi
No Built-In Bluetooth

AVERAGE

HDMI Output
No Microphone Input
No Headphone Output
Built-in GPS
No Built-In Wi-Fi
No Built-In Bluetooth

Battery, Storage and Physical

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

Canon PowerShot S100

BAD

No Environmental Sealing
Weight - 549 g (1.21 lb / 19.37 oz)
Short Battery Life - 290 shots

POOR

No Environmental Sealing
Light - 198 g (0.44 lb / 6.98 oz)
Short Battery Life - 200 shots

For a full specification list please go to the specifications page: