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Samsung CL80 vs Sony A290

Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
30
Overall
33
Samsung CL80 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Samsung CL80 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Samsung CL80
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 4800 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 31-217mm (F3.3-5.5) lens
  • 160g - 104 x 58 x 20mm
  • Revealed January 2010
  • Other Name is ST5500
Sony A290
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Introduced June 2010
  • Replaced the Sony A230
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Samsung CL80 vs Sony A290 Overview

Lets look more closely at the Samsung CL80 versus Sony A290, one being a Ultracompact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Samsung and Sony. The resolution of the CL80 (14MP) and the A290 (14MP) is relatively close but the CL80 (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) feature different sensor sizing.

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The CL80 was launched 5 months prior to the A290 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Samsung CL80 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving through a in depth comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the CL80 matches up vs the A290 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Samsung CL80 over the Sony A290

 CL80 A290 
Screen sizing3.7"2.7"Bigger screen (+1")
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Samsung CL80

 A290 CL80 
Focus manually More exact focusing

Common features in the Samsung CL80 and Sony A290

 CL80 A290 
IntroducedJanuary 2010June 2010Same generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Samsung CL80 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to lug around your camera, you need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Samsung CL80 has got outside measurements of 104mm x 58mm x 20mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Sony A290 has dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

See the Samsung CL80 versus Sony A290 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you select during that time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the CL80 vs the A290.

Samsung CL80 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the CL80 and A290 is 95 and 66 respectively.

Samsung CL80 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Samsung CL80 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be tough to visualize the gap in sensor measurements merely by researching a spec sheet. The photograph below will help give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the CL80 and A290.

As you can see, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact resolution albeit different sensor measurements. The CL80 has the smaller sensor which should make obtaining shallower depth of field tougher.

Samsung CL80 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Samsung CL80 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung CL80 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Samsung CL80
Portrait photography with Sony A290
28
megapixel count good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
65
has manual focus
decent megapixels (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Samsung CL80
Street photography with Sony A290
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with focus via touch
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
heavier than competition in class (160g)
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Samsung CL80 Sports photography info
Sony A290 Sports photography info
38
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
55
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
low battery pack (290 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Samsung CL80
Travel photography with Sony A290
60
comes with focus via touch
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition in class (160g)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (31mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
53
decent megapixels (14MP)
built-in flash
no Timelapse mode
low battery pack (290 shots)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Samsung CL80
Landscape photography with Sony A290
37
lovely big screen (3.7")
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
58
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
doesn't have liveview
low battery pack (290 shots)
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung CL80 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A290 as a Vlogging camera
27
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic support
heavier than competition in class (160g)
9
lack of video recording
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Samsung CL80 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung CL80 and Sony A290
 Samsung CL80Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Make Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung CL80 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Also called ST5500 -
Class Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2010-01-06 2010-06-09
Body design Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4334 x 3256 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 4800 3200
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 31-217mm (7.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.3-5.5 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Available lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3.7" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed - 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30, 15 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Video format Motion JPEG -
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 160g (0.35 lb) 549g (1.21 lb)
Dimensions 104 x 58 x 20mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 66
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.5
DXO Low light rating not tested 615
Other
Battery life - 290 images
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID SLB-11A NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double, Motion) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media MicroSD/ MicroSDHC, Internal Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $400 $600