Samsung GX-20 vs Sony W290
58 Imaging
53 Features
52 Overall
52
94 Imaging
34 Features
28 Overall
31
Samsung GX-20 vs Sony W290 Key Specs
(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
(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
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images 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.
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music videoThe 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.
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month Samsung GX-20 vs Sony W290 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Samsung GX-20 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290. The whole galleries are available at Samsung GX-20 Gallery & Sony W290 Gallery.
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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | February 2009 | January 2008 | Fresher by 13 months | |
| Display size | 3" | 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 type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
| Display resolution | 230k | 230k | Same 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.
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.

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 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.
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Samsung GX-20 vs Sony W290 Specifications
| Samsung GX-20 | Sony 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 |