X

Sample photos: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290

Check out an examination of photos taken with the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290, a feature-filled compact camera featuring a wide-angle lens with a 5x zoom.

Joshua_Goldman.jpg
Joshua_Goldman.jpg
Joshua Goldman
SonyW290ISOcomparison.jpg
1 of 4 Matthew Fitzgerald/CNET
The W290 goes from ISO 80 up to ISO 3,200, but usability drops off significantly above ISO 400 (typical of cameras in its class). However, even at ISO 80, photos viewed at full size have a grain to them that only gets more pronounced as sensitivities get higher. It had little-to-no impact on large prints (13x19 and below) made from test shots taken up to IS0 400. If you're planning to make prints that large, just keep the ISO as low as possible.
Apr252009_crop_ISO80_3462.jpg
2 of 4 Joshua Goldman/CNET
This was taken at ISO 80 and is an extreme example of the graininess/artifacting that's visible at 100 percent. It's not really noticeable in prints at 8x10 inches or smaller. More of a concern is the overall softness of the image.
Apr282009_distortion.jpg
3 of 4 Joshua Goldman/CNET
The W290's wide-angle lens does exhibit barrel distortion at its widest position (top)and pincushion distortion when the lens is at its longest position (bottom). Purple fringing was minimal, though.
w90colorsamples.jpg
4 of 4 Joshua Goldman/CNET
Colors produced by the W290 are pretty accurate and exposure was good as well. Sony includes its Dynamic Range Optimization feature on this model, too, which helps bring out details that would otherwise be lost in shadows.

More Galleries

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features and Settings on Your iPhone
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features and Settings on Your iPhone

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
Go Inside the Apple iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro: See How the New iPhones Look and Work
iphone 15 in different color from an angled view

Go Inside the Apple iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro: See How the New iPhones Look and Work

21 Photos
Yamaha motorcycle and instrument designers trade jobs (pictures)
yamaha01.jpg

Yamaha motorcycle and instrument designers trade jobs (pictures)

16 Photos
CNET's 'Day of the Dead Devices' altar (pictures)
dia-de-los-muertos-3318-001.jpg

CNET's 'Day of the Dead Devices' altar (pictures)

9 Photos
2007 Los Angeles Auto Show: concept cars
conceptss01_440.jpg

2007 Los Angeles Auto Show: concept cars

14 Photos