Samsung NX200 vs Sony A290: The Entry-Level Camera Showdown

Diving into the world of entry-level cameras, two often-overlooked contenders from the early 2010s stand out: the Samsung NX200 mirrorless and the Sony Alpha DSLR-A290. These cameras sit at a fascinating crossroads in photographic technology - both embodying accessible pricing and intended for enthusiasts upgrading from smartphones or compact cameras, yet each takes a markedly different approach in design and performance philosophy. Having spent extensive hands-on hours testing both, I want to unpack their respective strengths, weaknesses, and real-world usability across a spectrum of photographic scenarios. Whether your focus is crisp portraits, sweeping landscapes, wildlife action, or just a reliable travel companion, understanding these cameras' nuances is key to making an informed choice.

Let’s break down what each packs under the hood, how they perform in fieldwork, and which photographer will benefit most from either model.

Side-by-side physical size and ergonomic comparison of Samsung NX200 and Sony A290

Ergonomics and Handling: Lightweight Mirrorless vs Robust DSLR Feel

Right from the start, Samsung’s NX200 and Sony’s A290 are fundamentally different in body architecture:

• The NX200 is a rangefinder-style mirrorless camera with a sleek, compact frame measuring 117x63x36mm and a light 223g weight. It feels nimble and modern, built for those who value portability without sacrificing control.

• In contrast, the Sony A290 is a bulkier compact SLR body - 128x97x86mm and tipping the scales at 549g. It has that classic DSLR heft and grip, designed to instill confidence when shooting outdoors or in tougher handling scenarios.

The NX200’s smaller footprint is a double-edged sword. It excels for street photographers or travelers who want to move light but might feel cramped for larger hands, especially during extended shoots. The gear and button placement are minimalist, with no illuminated buttons or top LCD screen.

On the other hand, Sony’s A290 offers a much more substantial grip and larger control dials that DSLR users expect, but this comes at the expense of portability. Carrying a DSLR with that kind of weight and bulk in urban environments or on hikes can quickly become tiresome.

Detailed top-control layout - NX200’s clean design vs A290’s traditional DSLR button setup

Both cameras offer manual control modes - shutter priority, aperture priority, and full manual - but the user interface reflects their design philosophy: the NX200 leans toward simplicity and learning-curves for newcomers, while the A290 favors tactile familiarity for those coming from an SLR background.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality - The Heart of the Matter

At the core of any camera’s output lies its sensor, and here notable differences emerge:

• Samsung’s 20MP APS-C CMOS sensor provides a generous 5472×3648 max resolution, paired with an anti-aliasing filter to reduce moiré. Its sensor size matches the industry APS-C standard at 23.5x15.7mm.

• Sony’s A290 packs a 14MP APS-C CCD sensor, also 23.5x15.7mm but with a lower resolution at 4592x3056. CCD sensors excel in color rendering and tonal gradation but lag behind CMOS counterparts in speed and high-ISO performance.

This difference points toward the NX200 as a more modern imaging device capable of crisper images and finer detail, particularly noticeable when cropping or printing large. The higher resolution matters for landscape photography or portrait cropping.

Moreover, Samsung’s sensor exhibits a better dynamic range, scoring 12.6 EV on DxOMark tests versus 11.5 EV for Sony’s CCD - meaning the NX200 can capture more shadow and highlight detail in challenging lighting.

Noise performance also leans in Samsung’s favor, with an ISO range up to 12,800 natively supported (vs Sony’s maximum ISO 3200). In my own controlled low-light tests shooting in dim interiors and twilight cityscapes, the NX200 maintained cleaner shadow areas and better color fidelity above ISO 1600, an advantage for night photography or events.

Sensor specifications and image quality benchmarks: Samsung’s 20MP CMOS vs Sony’s 14MP CCD

For photographers focused on high-res imagery or low-light work (e.g., indoor portraits, astrophotography), the Samsung’s sensor technology offers a clear benefit. The Sony still has merit for those content with smaller print sizes or who prioritize classic CCD color tonality.

Autofocus Systems and Shooting Responsiveness

Autofocus (AF) performance can make or break a camera’s usability in many real shooting conditions. The systems here demonstrate the trade-offs between mirrorless contrast detection and DSLR phase detection methods.

• The Samsung NX200 uses contrast-detection AF with 15 focus points - with face detection enabled but no eye or animal detection enhancements. It includes options for single, continuous, and selective autofocus modes, but no tracking AF.

• The Sony A290 employs a traditional DSLR phase-detection AF system with 9 focus points, offering single and continuous AF. One caveat: it lacks live view autofocus, limiting AF use to viewfinder shooting only.

In practical landscapes or still subjects like portraits, both cameras handle adequately, locking focus reliably. However, the NX200’s mirrorless contrast system shows slight lag and hunting in low-contrast or dim scenarios compared to the DSLR’s swift phase detection.

For action disciplines like sports or wildlife, neither camera excels - as the A290’s 3 fps burst rate is modest, and Samsung’s 7 fps burst is limited by its slower AF tracking. The absence of more advanced AF tracking or sophisticated eye detection on both suggests they aren’t designed for high-speed performers.

Still, Samsung wins for live view shooting flexibility, useful for macro and street photography where framing through the LCD is preferred. Sony’s lack of live view AF reduces versatility for video and some compositions.

Build Quality and Environmental Durability

Neither camera offers rugged weather sealing or protection against dust, moisture, or shock - unsurprising in this entry-level tier. Both are built mostly with plastic bodies to keep weight and cost down.

• The Sony’s more substantial DSLR body conveys a robust heft, perhaps affording slightly more resistance to everyday bumps.

• Samsung’s compact mirrorless feels more delicate despite solid construction but benefits from enclosed sensor housing minimizing dust ingress.

Neither model targets professional reliability under harsh conditions - for photographers seeking versatility in tough environments, investing in weather-sealed bodies or protective housings is essential.

Displays and Viewfinders: Composing Your Shot

One of the most noticeable usability differences lies in their framing tools:

• The NX200 sports a 3-inch Active Matrix OLED fixed screen with 614k dots, delivering crisp, vibrant previews and accurate color balance. However, it lacks touchscreen or tilting mechanics, limiting compositional creativity at low or high angles.

• In contrast, the Sony A290 offers a smaller 2.7-inch LCD at 230k dots - relatively low resolution and less sharp. It does not support live view autofocus and has no video functions.

Regarding viewfinders:

• The NX200 does not have a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF) - instead, it offers an optional accessory EVF that is not bundled.

• The A290’s optical pentamirror viewfinder covers 95% of the image and offers 0.55x magnification, standard for entry DSLRs, providing a natural eye-level shooting experience.

This split matters for photographers who prefer eye-level framing and shooting stability. Many traditionalists gravitate to optical viewfinders for their immediacy and battery efficiency, making Sony’s viewfinder advantageous there.

Meanwhile, mirrorless users or street photographers who value live composition on-screen benefit from Samsung’s superior OLED display quality.

Back LCD and interface - Samsung’s bright OLED vs Sony’s simple LCD

Lens Ecosystem and Mount Compatibility

Lens availability profoundly impacts system flexibility:

• Samsung NX-mount lenses number approximately 32 options available in this generation. While decent for a niche mirrorless lineup, choices are limited mostly to Samsung’s own lenses and a few third-party options from the era.

• Sony’s DSLR uses the Sony/Minolta Alpha mount, supported by a vast selection of over 140 lenses from Sony and third parties like Sigma, Tamron, and Zeiss optics.

The Sony mount’s extensive ecosystem remains a huge advantage, providing everything from affordable primes to professional-grade telephotos and specialty lenses. This diversity makes the A290 a more adaptable platform to grow with over time.

Samsung’s more constrained lens pool restricts specialized workflows like wildlife telephoto or ultra-wide landscape perspectives - though the APS-C sensor multiplier (1.5x) applies equally in both.

For photographers committed to a long-term investment with versatile lens choices, Sony dominates here. If you prioritize portability and can live with fewer optics, Samsung offers a compact mirrorless system that can be lighter on the wallet initially.

Battery Life and Storage Options

Battery endurance is critical for day-long shoots or travel.

• The Samsung NX200 claims roughly 330 shots per charge, powered by its BC1030 battery pack, respectable given its small size.

• Sony’s DLSR A290 offers slightly less, rated at 290 shots per battery via its NP-FH50 pack.

Neither camera supports dual memory card slots - both take a single SD card, though Sony also supports the legacy Memory Stick.

While not top-tier performers, both cameras’ battery lives suffice for casual shooting days. For extended sessions, carrying spares is advisable.

Video Functionality

Here the contrast is stark:

• The NX200 supports Full HD 1080p at 30fps and 720p at 60fps video with H.264 codec storage. This level of video support broadens creative options for hybrid shooters.

• The Sony A290 does not support any video recording - common for DSLRs of its generation and price tier.

Video enthusiasts and vloggers clearly benefit from Samsung’s offerings, although the NX200 lacks microphone and headphone jacks for audio monitoring, limiting advanced sound control.

Performance Across Photography Disciplines

With the baseline features discussed, let’s evaluate how each camera behaves in popular photographic genres.

Portraits

Portrait photography demands good color rendition, beautiful skin tones, and pleasing bokeh.

The Samsung NX200 shines with its higher resolution sensor and accurate face detection autofocus, enabling sharp focus on eyes. Its APS-C sensor combined with fast NX mount lenses delivers pleasing subject isolation and natural skin tones thanks to CMOS sensor qualities.

Sony’s A290, limited by lower resolution and CCD sensor tendencies, reproduces colors warmly, but struggles with highlighting intricate facial details. The smaller number of AF points and somewhat slower AF tracking reduce precision in casual portraits.

The NX200’s OLED screen aids live composition, but the lack of EVF may inconvenience some.

Landscapes

For landscapes, dynamic range and resolution are key.

Samsung’s stronger dynamic range and higher megapixels offer richer tonality in skies and shadows, useful when post-processing RAW files. The compact body aids portability for hikes.

Conversely, Sony’s rugged DSLR frame is comfortable for tripod setups, but its narrower dynamic range limits highlight recovery. Lack of live view complicates focus stacking or precise manual focusing for macros or expansive scenes.

Wildlife

Wildlife demands speed, reliable autofocus, and telephoto lenses.

Samsung provides a respectable 7 fps burst rate, but its contrast-detect AF hunting under complex backgrounds hinders tracking moving subjects.

Sony’s 3 fps burst and 9-point phase AF perform tolerably but are still insufficient for serious wildlife photography. However, Sony’s broader telephoto lens selection is advantageous, offering access to longer reach optics.

Neither camera is a flying bird-chaser’s dream; they sit at entry-level limitations.

Sports

Sports photography requires fast burst rates and focus tracking.

Again, Samsung leads in burst speed but only in ideal AF situations; lack of tracking AF reduces capability.

Sony’s DSLR phase AF and lower frame rate impede sharp capture of fast action.

For amateurs shooting occasional sports, the NX200 offers more responsiveness; serious sports shooters should bypass both.

Street Photography

Here, compactness, discretion, and quick focus are priorities.

Samsung’s mirrorless design, light weight, and quiet operation give it an edge. The 3-inch OLED screen helps compose at arm’s length.

Sony’s bulk and louder shutter make it less suited for candid street work.

Macro Photography

Macro requires precise manual focusing and sometimes live view magnification.

Samsung’s mirrorless system with live view gives greater flexibility, though neither camera offers specialized focus stacking or post-focus.

Sony’s optical viewfinder is less handy at extremely close distances.

Night and Astro Photography

High ISO performance and long exposure capabilities count here.

Samsung supports ISO up to 12,800 and longer shutter speeds, favoring astrophotographers and nightscape shooters.

Sony’s CCD sensor maxes out at ISO 3200 and shows more noise.

Video and Hybrid Needs

Samsung supports HD video with smooth frame rates, useful for casual filmmakers.

Sony offers zero video, making it obsolete for multimedia content creators.

Travel and Versatility

Samsung’s small size, decent battery life, and image quality make it an attractive travel companion.

Sony feels bulkier, potentially cumbersome for extensive walking or city explorations, but offers lens versatility if you plan to shoot diverse scenes.

Professional Use and Workflow

Both cameras shoot RAW files, integrate with standard PC workflows, and offer manual controls.

However, neither is tailored for demanding professional reliability, workflow speed, or rugged conditions expected in paid assignments.

Test shots highlighting color reproduction, detail resolution, and bokeh from both Samsung NX200 and Sony A290

Technical Summary and Scores from Testing Laboratories

The DxOMark overall scores reflect the sensor technology and image quality assessments:

• Samsung NX200 achieves a score of 69, with commendable color depth (22.6 bits), dynamic range (12.6 EV), and low-light ISO performance.

• Sony A290 scores slightly lower at 66, with a matching color depth (22.6 bits) but weaker dynamic range (11.5 EV) and slightly inferior ISO noise control.

Overall DxOMark sensor scores comparison: Samsung NX200 vs Sony A290

When we dig into genre-specific performance, Samsung consistently outperforms Sony in image quality-dependent genres like portraits, landscapes, and night photography. Sony maintains relevance where optical viewfinder preference and larger lens selection hold sway.

Performance ratings by discipline demonstrating Samsung’s advantage in high ISO and resolution, Sony’s edge in handling and lens options

Connectivity and Extras

Both cameras lack wireless connectivity, Bluetooth, or NFC, limiting modern sharing options.

Both provide HDMI output and USB 2.0 for tethering and file transfer, standard for their time period.

GPS support on Samsung is optional, while Sony offers none.

Neither has built-in stabilization; Sony relies on sensor-based IS (some models), but A290 does not specify.

Price vs Value: What You Get for Your Money

At the time of their release, the Samsung NX200 priced around $818 and Sony A290 at $600, indicating respective premium and budget target markets - consider that prices may vary on used markets.

For a mirrorless system with advanced imaging, HD video, and superior sensor tech, I find Samsung justifies the price premium for enthusiasts emphasizing image quality and form factor.

Sony offers an economical DSLR entry point with a lens lineup unmatched in breadth and an optical viewfinder that beginners transitioning from compacts may prefer.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations: Choosing Your Ideal Match

After an exhaustive evaluation of these two cameras, who should pick which?

• Choose the Samsung NX200 if you want:

  • A lightweight, compact mirrorless camera
  • Higher resolution and better dynamic range for portraits, landscapes, and low-light
  • HD video capability for hybrid photo-video shooting
  • A bright and sharp OLED display
  • Portability for street, travel, and casual photography

• Opt for the Sony A290 if you prefer:

  • A traditional DSLR experience with optical viewfinder
  • Bulkier, more rugged handling for controlled shooting environments
  • Access to a vast and varied lens ecosystem for future upgrades
  • Budget-conscious purchase with emphasis on still photography without video
  • Photographer comfort with classic SLR controls

In closing, both cameras represent significant milestones in their brands’ history and provide capable options for beginner photographers learning the ropes. Yet, the Samsung NX200 pushes the envelope with modern sensor technology and video features that make it more versatile in today’s multimedia world, whereas the Sony A290 delivers tried-and-true DSLR ergonomics and lens flexibility.

I encourage potential buyers to prioritize which features align best with their shooting styles and to handle each camera personally if possible - field comfort and intuitive control often trump specs lists.

These cameras may not compete with today’s mirrorless market leaders but stand as solid entry points full of character and lessons from a transformative era in photographic equipment.

Happy shooting!