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Samsung NX1100 vs Sony A290

Portability
90
Imaging
62
Features
60
Overall
61
Samsung NX1100 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Samsung NX1100 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Samsung NX1100
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 222g - 114 x 63 x 37mm
  • Launched April 2013
  • Older Model is Samsung NX1000
  • New Model is Samsung NX2000
Sony A290
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Launched June 2010
  • Replaced the Sony A230
Photography Glossary

Samsung NX1100 vs Sony A290 Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Samsung NX1100 versus Sony A290, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Samsung and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the NX1100 (20MP) and A290 (14MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The NX1100 was revealed 2 years later than the A290 and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Samsung NX1100 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go into a thorough comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the NX1100 scores against the A290 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Samsung NX1100 over the Sony A290

 NX1100 A290 
LaunchedApril 2013June 2010More recent by 35 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Samsung NX1100

 A290 NX1100 

Common features in the Samsung NX1100 and Sony A290

 NX1100 A290 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Samsung NX1100 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Samsung NX1100 features external measurements of 114mm x 63mm x 37mm (4.5" x 2.5" x 1.5") and a weight of 222 grams (0.49 lbs) and the Sony A290 has measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

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Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the NX1100 vs the A290.

Samsung NX1100 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the NX1100 and A290 is 90 and 66 respectively.

Samsung NX1100 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Samsung NX1100 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to picture the gap between sensor measurements simply by looking at technical specs. The graphic underneath will give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the NX1100 and A290.

As you have seen, both cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You should expect the Samsung NX1100 to give you more detail because of its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs way more aggressively. The younger NX1100 should have a benefit in sensor technology.

Samsung NX1100 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Samsung NX1100 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung NX1100 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung NX1100 Portrait photography advice
Sony A290 Portrait photography advice
77
has manual focus
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
65
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
no liveview
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Samsung NX1100
Street photography with Sony A290
73
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (222g)
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Samsung NX1100 Sports photography info
Sony A290 Sports photography info
56
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
does not have image stabilization
lack of phase detect AF
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
no liveview
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames per second)
bad battery (290 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Samsung NX1100 Travel photography information
Sony A290 Travel photography information
68
lighter than competition in class (222 grams)
good MP (20MP)
doesn't have Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
53
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse recording
bad battery (290 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung NX1100 Landscape photography features
Sony A290 Landscape photography features
71
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Samsung NX mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse function
58
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no liveview
bad battery (290 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung NX1100 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A290 as a Vlogging camera
34
provides face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (222g)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have external microphone socket
9
lack of video recording
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Samsung NX1100 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung NX1100 and Sony A290
 Samsung NX1100Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Make Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung NX1100 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2013-04-11 2010-06-09
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5472 x 3648 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 12800 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 15 9
Lens
Lens support Samsung NX Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 32 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 921 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 8.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, 1st/2nd Curtain, Smart Flash, Manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1920 x 810 (24 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 222 gr (0.49 pounds) 549 gr (1.21 pounds)
Physical dimensions 114 x 63 x 37mm (4.5" x 2.5" x 1.5") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 73 66
DXO Color Depth rating 23.0 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.5 11.5
DXO Low light rating 852 615
Other
Battery life 320 images 290 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BC1030 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 sec to 30 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $600 $600