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Samsung HZ50W vs Sony A290

Portability
70
Imaging
37
Features
44
Overall
39
Samsung HZ50W front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Samsung HZ50W
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 426g - 116 x 83 x 91mm
  • Revealed May 2010
  • Alternative Name is WB5500
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
  • Announced June 2010
  • Previous Model is Sony A230
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Samsung HZ50W vs Sony A290 Overview

The following is a in depth comparison of the Samsung HZ50W and Sony A290, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Samsung and Sony. The sensor resolution of the HZ50W (14MP) and the A290 (14MP) is very close but the HZ50W (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor dimensions.

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The HZ50W was brought out at a similar time to the A290 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Samsung HZ50W being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting in to a in-depth comparison, below is a concise summation of how the HZ50W scores vs the A290 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Samsung HZ50W over the Sony A290

 HZ50W A290 
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Samsung HZ50W

 A290 HZ50W 

Common features in the Samsung HZ50W and Sony A290

 HZ50W A290 
AnnouncedMay 2010June 2010Same generation
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to travel with your camera, you will need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Samsung HZ50W features exterior dimensions of 116mm x 83mm x 91mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6") with a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs) while the Sony A290 has measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") and a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Look at the Samsung HZ50W and Sony A290 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you select during that time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the HZ50W vs the A290.

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony A290 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the HZ50W and A290 is 70 and 66 respectively.

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its difficult to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by looking through specs. The picture here might provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the HZ50W and A290.

All in all, both the cameras enjoy the same exact megapixels but not the same sensor dimensions. The HZ50W comes with the smaller sensor which should make obtaining shallow DOF trickier.

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung HZ50W vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung HZ50W Portrait photography features
Sony A290 Portrait photography features
46
focusing manually
decent MP (14MP)
supports RAW formats
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
65
has manual focus
decent MP (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
no liveview
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Street Comparison

Samsung HZ50W as a Street photography camera
Sony A290 as a Street photography camera
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Samsung HZ50W Sports photography highlights
Sony A290 Sports photography highlights
48
great zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
55
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
no liveview
max frames per second low (3.0 frames per second)
low battery power (290 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Samsung HZ50W Travel photography highlights
Sony A290 Travel photography highlights
58
decent MP (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (26mm)
great reach (676mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
does not posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
53
decent MP (14MP)
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse mode
low battery power (290 shots)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung HZ50W as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A290 as a Landscape photography camera
51
focusing manually
pretty wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
supports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have Timelapse recording
58
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no liveview
low battery power (290 per charge)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung HZ50W Vlogging highlights
Sony A290 Vlogging highlights
24
pretty wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone socket
9
can't record video
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Samsung HZ50W vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung HZ50W and Sony A290
 Samsung HZ50WSony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Brand Name Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung HZ50W Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Other name WB5500 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2010-05-03 2010-06-09
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 64 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focusing distance 10cm -
Amount of lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 16 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes 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
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest 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) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file format H.264 -
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 426 grams (0.94 pounds) 549 grams (1.21 pounds)
Dimensions 116 x 83 x 91mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 66
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.5
DXO Low light rating not tested 615
Other
Battery life - 290 shots
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID SLB-11A NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SC/SDHC, Internal Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Card slots Single Single
Launch price $250 $600