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Samsung HZ25W vs Sony W290

Portability
70
Imaging
35
Features
32
Overall
33
Samsung HZ25W front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Samsung HZ25W vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Samsung HZ25W
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-624mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 428g - 116 x 83 x 92mm
  • Revealed July 2010
  • Additionally referred to as WB5000
Sony W290
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 98 x 57 x 23mm
  • Launched February 2009
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Samsung HZ25W vs Sony W290 Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Samsung HZ25W versus Sony W290, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Samsung and Sony. The sensor resolution of the HZ25W (12MP) and the W290 (12MP) is relatively well matched and they feature the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The HZ25W was launched 17 months after the W290 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple summary of how the HZ25W grades against the W290 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Samsung HZ25W over the Sony W290

 HZ25W W290 
LaunchedJuly 2010February 2009Newer by 17 months

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Samsung HZ25W

 W290 HZ25W 

Common features in the Samsung HZ25W and Sony W290

 HZ25W W290 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Samsung HZ25W vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera, you'll need to factor its weight and proportions. The Samsung HZ25W comes with exterior dimensions of 116mm x 83mm x 92mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6") and a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs) and the Sony W290 has measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Contrast the Samsung HZ25W versus Sony W290 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you choose at the time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the HZ25W compared to the W290.

Samsung HZ25W vs Sony W290 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the HZ25W and W290 is 70 and 94 respectively.

Samsung HZ25W vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Samsung HZ25W vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be hard to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions purely by reading through technical specs. The image here should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the HZ25W and W290.

As you have seen, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact MP and you should expect similar quality of photos though you should always take the production date of the products into consideration. The more recent HZ25W provides a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Samsung HZ25W vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Samsung HZ25W vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung HZ25W vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung HZ25W Portrait photography features
Sony W290 Portrait photography features
34
focusing manually
delivers RAW formats
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
27
manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Samsung HZ25W
Street photography with Sony W290
55
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
56
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Samsung HZ25W Sports photography information
Sony W290 Sports photography information
34
excellent zoom range (26-624mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
25
image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Samsung HZ25W Travel photography factors
Sony W290 Travel photography factors
52
built-in flash
reasonably wide (26mm)
long reach (624mm)
no Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
57
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung HZ25W as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W290 as a Landscape photography camera
43
focusing manually
reasonably wide (26mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no Timelapse mode
41
manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung HZ25W Vlogging details
Sony W290 Vlogging details
24
reasonably wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone socket
28
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic socket
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Samsung HZ25W vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung HZ25W and Sony W290
 Samsung HZ25WSony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Manufacturer Samsung Sony
Model Samsung HZ25W Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Alternative name WB5000 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2010-07-06 2009-02-17
Physical type 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 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Highest boosted ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 64 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-624mm (24.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance 10cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 16s 2s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate - 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.60 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic 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 428 gr (0.94 pounds) 167 gr (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 116 x 83 x 92mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SC/SDHC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $350 $230