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Samsung GX-10 vs Sony W290

Portability
59
Imaging
48
Features
43
Overall
46
Samsung GX-10 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Samsung GX-10 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Samsung GX-10
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 793g - 142 x 101 x 70mm
  • Released September 2006
  • Refreshed by Samsung GX-20
Sony W290
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 98 x 57 x 23mm
  • Introduced February 2009
Photography Glossary

Samsung GX-10 vs Sony W290 Overview

In this article, we will be comparing the Samsung GX-10 vs Sony W290, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Samsung and Sony. The image resolution of the GX-10 (10MP) and the W290 (12MP) is pretty comparable but the GX-10 (APS-C) and W290 (1/2.3") come with different sensor dimensions.

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The GX-10 was introduced 3 years prior to the W290 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Samsung GX-10 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony W290 being a Compact camera.

Before diving in to a in depth comparison, below is a brief overview of how the GX-10 grades against the W290 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Samsung GX-10 over the Sony W290

 GX-10 W290 

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Samsung GX-10

 W290 GX-10 
IntroducedFebruary 2009September 2006Fresher by 29 months
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution230k210kSharper screen (+20k dot)

Common features in the Samsung GX-10 and Sony W290

 GX-10 W290 
Manually focus More precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Samsung GX-10 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and proportions. The Samsung GX-10 features outside measurements of 142mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") and a weight of 793 grams (1.75 lbs) and the Sony W290 has measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Analyze the Samsung GX-10 vs Sony W290 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you use during that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the GX-10 against the W290.

Samsung GX-10 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the GX-10 and W290 is 59 and 94 respectively.

Samsung GX-10 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Samsung GX-10 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be difficult to visualize the difference in sensor sizing only by seeing a spec sheet. The graphic here may provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the GX-10 and W290.

As you can see, both of the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The GX-10 with its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field less difficult and the Sony W290 will provide greater detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots a little more aggressively. The older GX-10 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Samsung GX-10 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Samsung GX-10 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung GX-10 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung GX-10 Portrait photography info
Sony W290 Portrait photography info
52
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview feature
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
27
has manual focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Samsung GX-10 Street photography advice
Sony W290 Street photography advice
64
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
no articulating screen
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Samsung GX-10 Sports photography features
Sony W290 Sports photography features
52
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
environment proofing
comes with phase detect AF
no liveview feature
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
25
image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Samsung GX-10 as a Travel photography camera
Sony W290 as a Travel photography camera
49
environment proofing
built-in flash
no Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
57
built-in flash
quite wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung GX-10 Landscape photography advice
Sony W290 Landscape photography advice
55
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
screen is small (2.5 inch)
no liveview feature
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
no Time Lapse recording
41
has manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Samsung GX-10
Vlogging with Sony W290
9
can't shoot video
28
quite wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic support
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Samsung GX-10 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung GX-10 and Sony W290
 Samsung GX-10Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Company Samsung Sony
Model Samsung GX-10 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Type Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Released 2006-09-21 2009-02-17
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3872 x 2592 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range - 10cm
Total lenses 151 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 210k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 2 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1280x720
Video data format - MPEG-4
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 793 gr (1.75 lb) 167 gr (0.37 lb)
Dimensions 142 x 101 x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/MMC/SDHC card Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at release $850 $230