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Samsung NX mini vs Sony W290

Portability
93
Imaging
52
Features
68
Overall
58
Samsung NX mini front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Samsung NX mini vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Samsung NX mini
(Full Review)
  • 20.5MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 160 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • 1/16000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Samsung NX-M Mount
  • 196g - 110 x 62 x 23mm
  • Released March 2014
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
  • Launched February 2009
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Samsung NX mini vs Sony W290 Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Samsung NX mini vs Sony W290, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Samsung and Sony. There is a substantial difference among the sensor resolutions of the NX mini (20.5MP) and W290 (12MP) and the NX mini (1") and W290 (1/2.3") offer different sensor measurements.

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The NX mini was brought out 5 years later than the W290 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Samsung NX mini being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony W290 being a Compact camera.

Before we go right into a in depth comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the NX mini grades vs the W290 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Samsung NX mini over the Sony W290

 NX mini W290 
LaunchedMarch 2014February 2009More recent by 62 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution461k230kCrisper display (+231k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Samsung NX mini

 W290 NX mini 

Common features in the Samsung NX mini and Sony W290

 NX mini W290 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Samsung NX mini vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to lug around your camera often, you need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Samsung NX mini offers exterior dimensions of 110mm x 62mm x 23mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 0.9") with a weight of 196 grams (0.43 lbs) while the Sony W290 has dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

See the Samsung NX mini vs Sony W290 in our completely new 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 have at that time. Below is a front view size comparison of the NX mini vs the W290.

Samsung NX mini vs Sony W290 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the NX mini and W290 is 93 and 94 respectively.

Samsung NX mini vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Samsung NX mini vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very tough to picture the difference in sensor measurements purely by checking out specs. The visual below may provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the NX mini and W290.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The NX mini because of its larger sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field easier and the Samsung NX mini will provide extra detail having its extra 8.5 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images a bit more aggressively. The fresher NX mini should have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Samsung NX mini vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Samsung NX mini vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung NX mini vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung NX mini Portrait photography details
Sony W290 Portrait photography details
71
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (20.5 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (1")
features face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
27
manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Samsung NX mini Street photography information
Sony W290 Street photography information
81
tilting screen
sensor size is nice (1")
delivers RAW formats
supports focus by touch
lighter than competition in class (196 grams)
lack of image stabilization
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Samsung NX mini Sports photography factors
Sony W290 Sports photography factors
54
high shutter speed (1/16,000s)
sensor resolution is decent (20.5 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (1")
better than average battery life (650 per charge)
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect AF
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow frames per second (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Samsung NX mini as a Travel photography camera
Sony W290 as a Travel photography camera
76
better than average battery life (650 per charge)
lighter than competition in class (196 grams)
supports focus by touch
sensor resolution is decent (20.5MP)
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
does not contain selfie friendly screen
57
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung NX mini Landscape photography advice
Sony W290 Landscape photography advice
68
manual focus
swap lenses (Samsung NX-M mount)
screen size is decent (3")
sensor resolution is decent (20.5 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (1")
delivers RAW formats
better than average battery life (650 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
does not have Timelapse recording
41
manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
no manual exposure
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung NX mini Vlogging highlights
Sony W290 Vlogging highlights
38
touch screen
features face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with microphone port
lighter than competition in class (196 grams)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
28
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic jack
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Samsung NX mini vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung NX mini and Sony W290
 Samsung NX miniSony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Brand Samsung Sony
Model Samsung NX mini Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Released 2014-03-19 2009-02-17
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 13.2 x 8.8mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 116.2mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20.5 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5472 x 3648 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 12800 3200
Max boosted ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 160 80
RAW files
Minimum boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 21 9
Lens
Lens mount Samsung NX-M fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance - 10cm
Available lenses 2 -
Crop factor 2.7 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 461k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT-LCD (180 degree tilt) -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 2 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/16000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 6.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 3.90 m
Flash options Smart Flash, auto, auto + redeye reduction, fill-in, fill-in + redeye reduction, 1st curtain, 2nd curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/200 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 (all 30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 196 gr (0.43 lb) 167 gr (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 62 x 23mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 0.9") 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
Battery life 650 photographs -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model B740 -
Self timer Yes (2-30 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing $530 $230