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Samsung HZ15W vs Sony W290

Portability
90
Imaging
34
Features
31
Overall
32
Samsung HZ15W front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Samsung HZ15W
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-240mm (F3.3-5.8) lens
  • 249g - 105 x 61 x 37mm
  • Launched February 2009
  • Other Name is WB550
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 HZ15W vs Sony W290 Overview

In this write-up, we are matching up the Samsung HZ15W versus Sony W290, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by companies Samsung and Sony. The image resolution of the HZ15W (12MP) and the W290 (12MP) is fairly well matched and they come with the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The HZ15W was revealed very close to the W290 and they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the HZ15W matches up versus the W290 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Sony W290

 HZ15W W290 
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Samsung HZ15W

 W290 HZ15W 

Common features in the Samsung HZ15W and Sony W290

 HZ15W W290 
IntroducedFebruary 2009February 2009Similar age
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

When you are going to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and measurements. The Samsung HZ15W features outside measurements of 105mm x 61mm x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") and a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs) while the Sony W290 has proportions of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Take a look at the Samsung HZ15W versus Sony W290 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the HZ15W versus the W290.

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony W290 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the HZ15W and W290 is 90 and 94 respectively.

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's tough to see the difference between sensor measurements purely by reading through a spec sheet. The photograph below will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the HZ15W and W290.

Clearly, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact resolution and you can expect similar quality of images although you will need to factor the launch date of the products into consideration.

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung HZ15W vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Samsung HZ15W
Portrait photography with Sony W290
31
has manual focus
provides face detection autofocus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
27
has manual focus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Street photography advice
Sony W290 Street photography advice
52
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
more heavy than competitors (249 grams)
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Samsung HZ15W as a Sports photography camera
Sony W290 as a Sports photography camera
27
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Samsung HZ15W as a Travel photography camera
Sony W290 as a Travel photography camera
54
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
more heavy than competitors (249 grams)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
57
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Landscape photography info
Sony W290 Landscape photography info
40
has manual focus
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
no manual exposure
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse recording
41
has manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not available
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung HZ15W Vlogging features
Sony W290 Vlogging features
28
reasonably wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection autofocus
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone port
more heavy than competitors (249 grams)
28
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic jack
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Samsung HZ15W vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung HZ15W and Sony W290
 Samsung HZ15WSony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Manufacturer Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung HZ15W Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Also called WB550 -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-02-23 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-240mm (10.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-5.8 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range 5cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 16 seconds 2 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed - 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.70 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 249 grams (0.55 lb) 167 grams (0.37 lb)
Dimensions 105 x 61 x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Self timer Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $330 $230