Samsung GX-1S vs Sony A290
68 Imaging
44 Features
36 Overall
40
66 Imaging
53 Features
47 Overall
50
Samsung GX-1S vs Sony A290 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 6MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 200 - 3200
- No Video
- Pentax KAF Mount
- 605g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
- Launched January 2006
(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
- Succeeded the Sony A230
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In this article, we will be matching up the Samsung GX-1S and Sony A290, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Samsung and Sony. There is a large difference among the image resolutions of the GX-1S (6MP) and A290 (14MP) but they use the same exact sensor size (APS-C).
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe GX-1S was manufactured 5 years earlier than the A290 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Samsung GX-1S being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before we go in to a detailed comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the GX-1S grades against the A290 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
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Below is a preview of the gallery images for Samsung GX-1S & Sony Alpha DSLR-A290. The entire galleries are provided at Samsung GX-1S Gallery & Sony A290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Samsung GX-1S over the Sony A290
| GX-1S | A290 |
|---|
Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Samsung GX-1S
| A290 | GX-1S | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | June 2010 | January 2006 | More recent by 53 months | |
| Screen sizing | 2.7" | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.2") | |
| Screen resolution | 230k | 210k | Clearer screen (+20k dot) |
Common features in the Samsung GX-1S and Sony A290
| GX-1S | A290 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | More accurate focusing | |||
| Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Selfie screen | Neither includes selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly screen | No Touch friendly screen |
Samsung GX-1S vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison
For those who are intending to lug around your camera often, you have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Samsung GX-1S features physical measurements of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs) and the Sony A290 has dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") having a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).
See the Samsung GX-1S and Sony A290 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the GX-1S vs the A290.

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the GX-1S and A290 is 68 and 66 respectively.
Samsung GX-1S vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it's hard to visualise the difference in sensor measurements purely by seeing specs. The photograph here may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the GX-1S and A290.
As you can plainly see, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Sony A290 to show extra detail due to its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures far more aggressively. The older GX-1S will be behind in sensor tech.
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Samsung GX-1S vs Sony A290 Specifications
| Samsung GX-1S | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Manufacturer | Samsung | Sony |
| Model | Samsung GX-1S | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 |
| Class | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Launched | 2006-01-16 | 2010-06-09 |
| Body design | Mid-size SLR | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Chip | - | Bionz |
| Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
| Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
| Sensor measurements | 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 |
| Full resolution | 3008 x 2008 | 4592 x 3056 |
| Max native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
| Min native ISO | 200 | 100 |
| RAW data | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| AF single | ||
| Tracking AF | ||
| AF selectice | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| Live view AF | ||
| Face detect focusing | ||
| Contract detect focusing | ||
| Phase detect focusing | ||
| Number of focus points | 11 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | Pentax KAF | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Amount of lenses | 151 | 143 |
| Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Display diagonal | 2.5" | 2.7" |
| Resolution of display | 210k dot | 230k dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch operation | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder coverage | 95 percent | 95 percent |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.64x | 0.55x |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
| Continuous shooting speed | 3.0fps | 3.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash range | - | 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 | ||
| AEB | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Highest flash sync | 1/180 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| Video features | ||
| Max video resolution | None | None |
| Microphone jack | ||
| Headphone jack | ||
| 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 | ||
| Environment seal | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 605g (1.33 lbs) | 549g (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 All around 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 photographs |
| Battery form | - | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | 4 x AA | NP-FH50 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Storage media | SD/MMC card | Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC |
| Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
| Pricing at launch | $850 | $600 |