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Samsung GX-20 vs Sony W290

Portability
58
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52
Samsung GX-20 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Samsung GX-20 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Samsung GX-20
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 142 x 101 x 72mm
  • Introduced January 2008
  • Succeeded the Samsung GX-10
Sony W290
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
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Samsung GX-20 vs Sony W290 Overview

Here is a thorough comparison of the Samsung GX-20 and Sony W290, former being a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Samsung and Sony. There is a sizable difference between the image resolutions of the GX-20 (15MP) and W290 (12MP) and the GX-20 (APS-C) and W290 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor sizing.

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The GX-20 was introduced 13 months before the W290 making them a generation apart from each other. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Samsung GX-20 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony W290 being a Compact camera.

Before getting right into a full comparison, here is a short highlight of how the GX-20 grades vs the W290 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Samsung GX-20 over the Sony W290

 GX-20 W290 

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Samsung GX-20

 W290 GX-20 
IntroducedFebruary 2009January 2008Fresher by 13 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Samsung GX-20 and Sony W290

 GX-20 W290 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Samsung GX-20 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Samsung GX-20 enjoys external measurements of 142mm x 101mm x 72mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) whilst the Sony W290 has dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Contrast the Samsung GX-20 and Sony W290 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are working with during that time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the GX-20 against the W290.

Samsung GX-20 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the GX-20 and W290 is 58 and 94 respectively.

Samsung GX-20 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Samsung GX-20 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be tough to envision the difference between sensor sizing purely by looking at technical specs. The visual below might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the GX-20 and W290.

As you can tell, each of these cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The GX-20 having a larger sensor will make getting shallower DOF simpler and the Samsung GX-20 will resolve more detail using its extra 3 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos way more aggressively. The older GX-20 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Samsung GX-20 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Samsung GX-20 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung GX-20 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Samsung GX-20
Portrait photography with Sony W290
71
you can focus manually
MP count good (15MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
27
focusing manually
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Samsung GX-20 Street photography factors
Sony W290 Street photography factors
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
no moving screen
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Samsung GX-20 Sports photography factors
Sony W290 Sports photography factors
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (15MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
low frames per second (3.0 fps)
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Samsung GX-20 Travel photography factors
Sony W290 Travel photography factors
63
environment sealing
MP count good (15 megapixels)
flash built-in
does not feature selfie friendly display
57
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse function
low MP (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung GX-20 Landscape photography advice
Sony W290 Landscape photography advice
70
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (15MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
tiny screen (2.7")
41
focusing manually
really wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual exposure
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung GX-20 Vlogging info
Sony W290 Vlogging info
9
no video recording
28
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone socket
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Samsung GX-20 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung GX-20 and Sony W290
 Samsung GX-20Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Company Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung GX-20 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Type Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2008-01-24 2009-02-17
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.4 x 15.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 365.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4688 x 3120 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance - 10cm
Number of lenses 151 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 2s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1280x720
Video data format - MPEG-4
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 800g (1.76 lb) 167g (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 142 x 101 x 72mm (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 rating 68 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.1 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.2 not tested
DXO Low light rating 714 not tested
Other
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $850 $230