Samsung GX-20 vs Sony A290
58 Imaging
53 Features
52 Overall
52
66 Imaging
53 Features
47 Overall
50
Samsung GX-20 vs Sony A290 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 15MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 800g - 142 x 101 x 72mm
- Revealed January 2008
- Superseded the Samsung GX-10
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
- Introduced June 2010
- Older Model is Sony A230
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone Samsung GX-20 vs Sony A290 Overview
Let's look a little more in depth at the Samsung GX-20 vs Sony A290, former being a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Samsung and Sony. The sensor resolution of the GX-20 (15MP) and the A290 (14MP) is very close and both cameras provide the identical sensor sizes (APS-C).
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsThe GX-20 was released 3 years earlier than the A290 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Samsung GX-20 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before diving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the GX-20 matches up versus the A290 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
Photography Glossary Samsung GX-20 vs Sony A290 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Samsung GX-20 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A290. The complete galleries are available at Samsung GX-20 Gallery & Sony A290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Samsung GX-20 over the Sony A290
| GX-20 | A290 |
|---|
Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Samsung GX-20
| A290 | GX-20 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | June 2010 | January 2008 | Fresher by 28 months |
Common features in the Samsung GX-20 and Sony A290
| GX-20 | A290 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus | More accurate focusing | |||
| Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
| Display size | 2.7" | 2.7" | Same display dimensions | |
| Display resolution | 230k | 230k | Same display resolution | |
| Selfie screen | Neither comes with selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly display | Neither comes with Touch friendly display |
Samsung GX-20 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison
When you are going to carry your camera regularly, you have to think about its weight and measurements. The Samsung GX-20 comes with outer dimensions of 142mm x 101mm x 72mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") along with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) and the Sony A290 has proportions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).
Contrast the Samsung GX-20 vs Sony A290 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have attached at that time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the GX-20 vs the A290.

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the GX-20 and A290 is 58 and 66 respectively.
Samsung GX-20 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it's hard to picture the contrast in sensor sizing purely by viewing a spec sheet. The visual below should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the GX-20 and A290.
As you can see, both of those cameras come with the identical sensor size but different resolution. You can expect to see the Samsung GX-20 to provide you with extra detail as a result of its extra 1 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The older GX-20 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.
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Samsung GX-20 vs Sony A290 Specifications
| Samsung GX-20 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Company | Samsung | Sony |
| Model | Samsung GX-20 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 |
| Class | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Revealed | 2008-01-24 | 2010-06-09 |
| Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Chip | - | Bionz |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
| Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
| Sensor measurements | 23.4 x 15.6mm | 23.5 x 15.7mm |
| Sensor surface area | 365.0mm² | 369.0mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 15 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | - | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Highest Possible resolution | 4688 x 3120 | 4592 x 3056 |
| Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
| Maximum enhanced ISO | 6400 | - |
| Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW images | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detect focus | ||
| Contract detect focus | ||
| Phase detect focus | ||
| Number of focus points | 11 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | Pentax KAF2 | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Amount of lenses | 151 | 143 |
| Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Display diagonal | 2.7" | 2.7" |
| Resolution of display | 230k dots | 230k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch friendly | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder coverage | 95 percent | 95 percent |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.64x | 0.55x |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Max shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
| Continuous shutter rate | 3.0fps | 3.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Custom white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash range | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) | 10.00 m (at ISO 100) |
| Flash settings | Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
| External flash | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Max flash synchronize | 1/180 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| Video features | ||
| Maximum video resolution | None | None |
| Microphone port | ||
| Headphone port | ||
| 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 | 800 gr (1.76 lb) | 549 gr (1.21 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 142 x 101 x 72mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") | 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall score | 68 | 66 |
| DXO Color Depth score | 23.1 | 22.6 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | 11.2 | 11.5 |
| DXO Low light score | 714 | 615 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | - | 290 shots |
| Type of battery | - | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | - | NP-FH50 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Type of storage | SD/MMC/SDHC card | Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC |
| Card slots | Single | Single |
| Retail pricing | $850 | $600 |