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Samsung GX-1L vs Sony A290

Portability
69
Imaging
44
Features
36
Overall
40
Samsung GX-1L front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Samsung GX-1L vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Samsung GX-1L
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 570g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Revealed February 2006
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
  • Revealed June 2010
  • Previous Model is Sony A230
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Samsung GX-1L vs Sony A290 Overview

The following is a in depth comparison of the Samsung GX-1L and Sony A290, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Samsung and Sony. There exists a substantial gap among the image resolutions of the GX-1L (6MP) and A290 (14MP) but they come with the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The GX-1L was released 5 years prior to the A290 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Samsung GX-1L being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a detailed comparison, below is a short highlight of how the GX-1L matches up against the A290 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Samsung GX-1L over the Sony A290

 GX-1L A290 

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Samsung GX-1L

 A290 GX-1L 
RevealedJune 2010February 2006Newer by 52 months
Screen sizing2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution230k210kClearer screen (+20k dot)

Common features in the Samsung GX-1L and Sony A290

 GX-1L A290 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Samsung GX-1L vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Samsung GX-1L features exterior dimensions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") along with a weight of 570 grams (1.26 lbs) and the Sony A290 has dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") and a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Examine the Samsung GX-1L and Sony A290 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the GX-1L against the A290.

Samsung GX-1L vs Sony A290 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the GX-1L and A290 is 69 and 66 respectively.

Samsung GX-1L vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Samsung GX-1L vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be tough to see the gap in sensor dimensions only by viewing a spec sheet. The image below will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the GX-1L and A290.

As you can see, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Sony A290 to render greater detail as a result of its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more aged GX-1L will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Samsung GX-1L vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Samsung GX-1L vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung GX-1L vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung GX-1L Portrait photography features
Sony A290 Portrait photography features
50
focusing manually
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no liveview feature
sensor resolution not great (6MP)
65
has manual focus
decent MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Samsung GX-1L Street photography advice
Sony A290 Street photography advice
60
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competitors in class (570g)
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Samsung GX-1L
Sports photography with Sony A290
38
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
low frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (6 megapixels)
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
slow fps (3.0 frames per second)
terrible battery pack (290 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Samsung GX-1L Travel photography features
Sony A290 Travel photography features
52
lighter than competitors in class (570g)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution not great (6 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
53
decent MP (14MP)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
terrible battery pack (290 CIPA)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung GX-1L Landscape photography details
Sony A290 Landscape photography details
46
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
no liveview feature
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (6MP)
missing Time Lapse recording
58
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
doesn't have liveview
terrible battery pack (290 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung GX-1L Vlogging highlights
Sony A290 Vlogging highlights
9
no video
9
can't record video
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Samsung GX-1L vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung GX-1L and Sony A290
 Samsung GX-1LSony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Brand Samsung Sony
Model Samsung GX-1L Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2006-02-24 2010-06-09
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 6 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3008 x 2008 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 5 9
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 151 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 210k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x 0.55x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.50 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Max video resolution None None
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 1.0 (1.5 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 570 grams (1.26 lbs) 549 grams (1.21 lbs)
Dimensions 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 66
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.5
DXO Low light score not tested 615
Other
Battery life - 290 pictures
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/MMC card Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Card slots One One
Cost at release $0 $600