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Samsung Galaxy Camera 3G vs Sony A290

Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
44
Overall
41
Samsung Galaxy Camera 3G front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Samsung Galaxy Camera 3G vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Samsung Galaxy Camera 3G
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 4.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-481mm (F) lens
  • 305g - 129 x 71 x 19mm
  • Introduced August 2012
Sony A290
(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
  • Revealed June 2010
  • Old Model is Sony A230
Photography Glossary

Samsung Galaxy Camera 3G vs Sony A290 Overview

Following is a comprehensive analysis of the Samsung Galaxy Camera 3G versus Sony A290, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Samsung and Sony. The resolution of the Galaxy Camera 3G (16MP) and the A290 (14MP) is fairly close but the Galaxy Camera 3G (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) come with different sensor size.

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The Galaxy Camera 3G was launched 2 years after the A290 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Samsung Galaxy Camera 3G being a Compact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a short overview of how the Galaxy Camera 3G matches up versus the A290 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Samsung Galaxy Camera 3G over the Sony A290

 Galaxy Camera 3G A290 
RevealedAugust 2012June 2010More modern by 28 months
Display sizing4.8"2.7"Larger display (+2.1")
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Samsung Galaxy Camera 3G

 A290 Galaxy Camera 3G 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Display resolution230k0kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Samsung Galaxy Camera 3G and Sony A290

 Galaxy Camera 3G A290 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Samsung Galaxy Camera 3G vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry around your camera often, you will have to take into account its weight and size. The Samsung Galaxy Camera 3G enjoys outside dimensions of 129mm x 71mm x 19mm (5.1" x 2.8" x 0.7") and a weight of 305 grams (0.67 lbs) and the Sony A290 has specifications of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Examine the Samsung Galaxy Camera 3G versus Sony A290 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the Galaxy Camera 3G against the A290.

Samsung Galaxy Camera 3G vs Sony A290 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the Galaxy Camera 3G and A290 is 90 and 66 respectively.

Samsung Galaxy Camera 3G vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Samsung Galaxy Camera 3G vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very difficult to picture the gap in sensor sizes only by looking through technical specs. The pic below will give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the Galaxy Camera 3G and A290.

As you can tell, both of the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The Galaxy Camera 3G featuring a smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF more difficult and the Samsung Galaxy Camera 3G will provide you with extra detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will let you crop images far more aggressively. The more recent Galaxy Camera 3G provides a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Samsung Galaxy Camera 3G vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Samsung Galaxy Camera 3G vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung Galaxy Camera 3G vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung Galaxy Camera 3G Portrait photography details
Sony A290 Portrait photography details
30
resolution is good (16MP)
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
65
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
saves RAW files
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Samsung Galaxy Camera 3G Street photography advice
Sony A290 Street photography advice
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (305g)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Samsung Galaxy Camera 3G Sports photography details
Sony A290 Sports photography details
44
excellent zoom range (23-481mm 20.9 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
55
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
max frames per second low (3.0 frames per second)
bad battery (290 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Samsung Galaxy Camera 3G Travel photography advice
Sony A290 Travel photography advice
72
lighter than competition (305g)
resolution is good (16MP)
relatively wide (23mm)
long reach (481mm)
very good maximum aperture (f)
does not have Timelapse mode
does not contain selfie friendly display
53
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
bad battery (290 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung Galaxy Camera 3G Landscape photography details
Sony A290 Landscape photography details
47
relatively wide (23mm)
very good maximum aperture (f)
big screen (4.8 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
manual exposure not available
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
does not have Timelapse mode
58
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is small (2.7 inches)
doesn't have liveview
bad battery (290 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Samsung Galaxy Camera 3G
Vlogging with Sony A290
36
relatively wide (23mm)
very good maximum aperture (f)
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (305 grams)
does not contain selfie friendly display
does not have microphone port
9
no video
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Samsung Galaxy Camera 3G vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung Galaxy Camera 3G and Sony A290
 Samsung Galaxy Camera 3GSony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Brand Name Samsung Sony
Model Samsung Galaxy Camera 3G Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2012-08-29 2010-06-09
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip 1.4GHz Quad-Core Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution - 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 23-481mm (20.9x) -
Total lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 4.8" 2.7"
Screen resolution 0k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology 308 ppi, HD Super Clear Touch Display -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Slowest shutter speed - 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed - 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 305 gr (0.67 lbs) 549 gr (1.21 lbs)
Dimensions 129 x 71 x 19mm (5.1" x 2.8" x 0.7") 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 pictures
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FH50
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type micro SD/micro SDHC/micro SDXC Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Card slots One One
Launch price $606 $600