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Samsung EX2F vs Sony A290

Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
62
Overall
47
Samsung EX2F front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Samsung EX2F vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Samsung EX2F
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-80mm (F1.4-2.7) lens
  • 294g - 112 x 62 x 29mm
  • Revealed December 2012
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
  • Announced June 2010
  • Succeeded the Sony A230
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Samsung EX2F vs Sony A290 Overview

Below is a in depth assessment of the Samsung EX2F versus Sony A290, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Samsung and Sony. The sensor resolution of the EX2F (12MP) and the A290 (14MP) is relatively close but the EX2F (1/1.7") and A290 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor size.

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The EX2F was released 2 years later than the A290 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Samsung EX2F being a Compact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go right into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the EX2F scores against the A290 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Samsung EX2F over the Sony A290

 EX2F A290 
AnnouncedDecember 2012June 2010More recent by 31 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Samsung EX2F

 A290 EX2F 
Screen resolution230k0kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Samsung EX2F and Sony A290

 EX2F A290 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Samsung EX2F vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Samsung EX2F enjoys physical dimensions of 112mm x 62mm x 29mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 294 grams (0.65 lbs) and 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).

Check out the Samsung EX2F versus Sony A290 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the EX2F vs the A290.

Samsung EX2F vs Sony A290 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the EX2F and A290 is 90 and 66 respectively.

Samsung EX2F vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Samsung EX2F vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Often, its hard to envision the gap in sensor measurements purely by looking through technical specs. The graphic below may give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the EX2F and A290.

As you can tell, both cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The EX2F featuring a smaller sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field harder and the Sony A290 will render extra detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots way more aggressively. The younger EX2F will have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Samsung EX2F vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Samsung EX2F vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung EX2F vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung EX2F Portrait photography features
Sony A290 Portrait photography features
42
focusing manually
supports RAW formats
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
65
you can focus manually
decent MP (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Samsung EX2F as a Street photography camera
Sony A290 as a Street photography camera
68
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
sensor is small (1/1.7")
heavier than competition in class (294g)
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Samsung EX2F Sports photography advice
Sony A290 Sports photography advice
31
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
no phase detect auto focus
55
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
bad battery (290 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Samsung EX2F Travel photography factors
Sony A290 Travel photography factors
66
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
relatively wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.4)
missing Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition in class (294 grams)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
53
decent MP (14MP)
flash built-in
no Timelapse recording
bad battery (290 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung EX2F Landscape photography details
Sony A290 Landscape photography details
53
focusing manually
relatively wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.4)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
missing Time Lapse recording
58
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is small (2.7 inches)
doesn't have liveview
bad battery (290 shots)
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Samsung EX2F
Vlogging with Sony A290
71
relatively wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.4)
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
missing mic socket
heavier than competition in class (294g)
9
no video recording
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Samsung EX2F vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung EX2F and Sony A290
 Samsung EX2FSony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Manufacturer Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung EX2F Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2012-12-18 2010-06-09
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" APS-C
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 24-80mm (3.3x) -
Maximum aperture f/1.4-2.7 -
Amount of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 4.8 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 0 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech AMOLED -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Slowest shutter speed - 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed - 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow syncro, Manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format H.264 -
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 294g (0.65 pounds) 549g (1.21 pounds)
Physical dimensions 112 x 62 x 29mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.1") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 48 66
DXO Color Depth rating 20.0 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.5 11.5
DXO Low light rating 209 615
Other
Battery life - 290 photos
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID SLB-10A NP-FH50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $478 $600