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Samsung HZ30W vs Sony A290

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Samsung HZ30W front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Samsung HZ30W
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-360mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 245g - 107 x 61 x 28mm
  • Announced January 2010
  • Additionally referred to as WB600
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
  • Released June 2010
  • Previous Model is Sony A230
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Samsung HZ30W vs Sony A290 Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Samsung HZ30W versus Sony A290, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Samsung and Sony. The image resolution of the HZ30W (12MP) and the A290 (14MP) is very comparable but the HZ30W (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) offer different sensor sizing.

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The HZ30W was brought out 4 months prior to the A290 and they are of a similar age. Both cameras have different body design with the Samsung HZ30W being a Compact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go into a full comparison, here is a quick view of how the HZ30W matches up versus the A290 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Samsung HZ30W over the Sony A290

 HZ30W A290 
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Samsung HZ30W

 A290 HZ30W 

Common features in the Samsung HZ30W and Sony A290

 HZ30W A290 
ReleasedJanuary 2010June 2010Same age
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to travel with your camera, you will have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Samsung HZ30W enjoys outer measurements of 107mm x 61mm x 28mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs) and the Sony A290 has dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") having a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Look at the Samsung HZ30W versus Sony A290 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the HZ30W and the A290.

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony A290 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the HZ30W and A290 is 91 and 66 respectively.

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's tough to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions only by seeing specifications. The image below might give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the HZ30W and A290.

Plainly, the 2 cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The HZ30W featuring a smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field tougher and the Sony A290 will provide extra detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will help you crop images more aggressively.

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung HZ30W vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung HZ30W Portrait photography factors
Sony A290 Portrait photography factors
29
has manual focus
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
65
has manual focus
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
does not have liveview
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Street Comparison

Samsung HZ30W Street photography factors
Sony A290 Street photography factors
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (245 grams)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Samsung HZ30W as a Sports photography camera
Sony A290 as a Sports photography camera
42
long zoom range (24-360mm 15.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking focus
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
not so great battery life (290 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Samsung HZ30W Travel photography advice
Sony A290 Travel photography advice
63
lighter than others in class (245 grams)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long zoom (360mm)
lack of Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
53
decent megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
not so great battery life (290 CIPA)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung HZ30W Landscape photography details
Sony A290 Landscape photography details
43
has manual focus
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
58
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
small screen (2.7 inches)
does not have liveview
not so great battery life (290 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung HZ30W Vlogging information
Sony A290 Vlogging information
30
reasonably wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (245g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone support
9
no video
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Samsung HZ30W vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung HZ30W and Sony A290
 Samsung HZ30WSony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Company Samsung Sony
Model Samsung HZ30W Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Also called as WB600 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2010-01-19 2010-06-09
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 24-360mm (15.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.2-5.8 -
Macro focus distance 3cm -
Total lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 16 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate - 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.00 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest 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 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file format H.264 -
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 245 grams (0.54 pounds) 549 grams (1.21 pounds)
Physical dimensions 107 x 61 x 28mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.1") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 shots
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model SLB-11A NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double, Motion) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SC/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $280 $600