Reader vs. Kindle 2
Compare how the Sony Reader™ stacks up against the Amazon® Kindle™ 2.
Sony Reader vs. Amazon Kindle 2
You be the judge. Before you decide on which digital book is right for you, take a look at our comparison chart to see how the Sony Reader and Amazon Kindle 2 measure up.
Screen size and weight
- 5" screen1
- 7.8 oz
- 6" screen1
- 10 oz
- 6" screen1
- 10.2 oz
Touch screen
- No
- Yes
- No
Access to over 1 million free public domain titles from Google Books4
- Yes
- Yes
- No
Ability to borrow eBooks from libraries7
- Yes
- Yes
- No
Compatible with multiple eBook stores5
- Yes
- Yes
- No
- Purchase from Amazon Only
Note taking functions
- Bookmark
- Bookmark / Highlight / Zoom
- Touchscreen keyboard text entry
- Freehand notes with stylus
- Bookmark
- Highlight
- Keyboard text entry
Text sizes
- 3 levels
- (S, M, L)
- 5 levels
- (S, M, L, XL, XXL)
- 6 levels
Battery life on a single charge
- 2 weeks
- (7500 page turns)2
- 2 weeks
- (7500 page turns)2
- 4 days (wireless on)
- 2 weeks (wireless off)6
Mac and PC compatible3
- Yes
- Yes
- Wireless delivery to device
Built in dictionary
- No
- Yes
- Yes
Audio player
- No
- Yes
- Yes
Picture viewer
- No
- Yes
- Yes
Expandable memory
- None
- Memory Stick PRO Duo™ &
- SD Card8 memory slot
- (supports up to 16GB)
- None
1. Screen size measured diagonally.
2. Up to 7,500 continuous page turns with a single full charge on internal rechargeable battery. Actual battery life may vary upon usage patterns, product settings, battery, and environmental conditions.
3. PC Operating System requirements: Microsoft® Windows Vista® (32-bit or 64-bit) or Microsoft® Windows® XP (32-bit only), Internet Connection (broadband recommended), USB Port required (for Reader connection). Mac Operating System requirements: Apple® Macintosh® computers w/ Intel® processors, PowerPC G3, G4 or G5 processors, with Mac OS X Tiger 10.4.11 or later, or Mac OS X Leopard 10.5.6 or later; Internet connection required (broadband recommended); USB port required (for Reader connection).
4. Requires Internet connection (broadband recommended) and compatible PC or Mac. Internet service may require a fee. Use of companion The eBook Store from Sony limited to U.S/Canada. residents age 13 or older. Account registration with The eBook Store required for access to Google Books content. Content availability may be limited based on location.
5. Adobe¨ PDF, ePub, JPEG, BBeB¨, RTF, and TXT formats natively supported. Viewing Microsoft® Word (PC must have Word installed), HTML, and other files requires conversion with supplied software.
6. Battery life will vary based on wireless usage, such as shopping the Kindle Store and downloading content. In low coverage areas or in 1xRTT only coverage, wireless usage will consume battery power more quickly.
7. Requires valid library card. Content availability may vary.
8. Memory Stick PRO Duo™ & SD media sold separately.
9. Based on Amazon specifications as of September 1, 2009.
© 2009 Sony Electronics Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Sony, BBeB, Memory Stick PRO Duo, Reader, Reader Pocket Edition and Reader Touch Edition and the Sony and Reader logos are trademarks of Sony. Microsoft, Windows, Windows XP and Windows Vista are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Mac and Macintosh are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. Adobe is a trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated. All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners. Features and specifications are subject to change without notice. Non-metric weights and measurements are approximate and may vary.