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Samsung NX30 vs Sony W290

Portability
75
Imaging
63
Features
85
Overall
71
Samsung NX30 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
28
Overall
32

Samsung NX30 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Samsung NX30
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 375g - 127 x 96 x 58mm
  • Launched January 2014
  • Previous Model is Samsung NX20
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 NX30 vs Sony W290 Overview

In this write-up, we are contrasting the Samsung NX30 and Sony W290, former is a Advanced Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Samsung and Sony. There is a sizable difference between the sensor resolutions of the NX30 (20MP) and W290 (12MP) and the NX30 (APS-C) and W290 (1/2.3") come with different sensor sizes.

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The NX30 was manufactured 4 years after the W290 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Samsung NX30 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony W290 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight into a complete comparison, below is a short highlight of how the NX30 grades vs the W290 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Samsung NX30 over the Sony W290

 NX30 W290 
LaunchedJanuary 2014February 2009Newer by 60 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1036k230kSharper display (+806k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Samsung NX30

 W290 NX30 

Common features in the Samsung NX30 and Sony W290

 NX30 W290 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions

Samsung NX30 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera, you should take into account its weight and size. The Samsung NX30 provides external measurements of 127mm x 96mm x 58mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.3") having a weight of 375 grams (0.83 lbs) while the Sony W290 has specifications of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Analyze the Samsung NX30 and Sony W290 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use at that moment. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the NX30 vs the W290.

Samsung NX30 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the NX30 and W290 is 75 and 94 respectively.

Samsung NX30 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Samsung NX30 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very tough to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by reviewing specs. The picture underneath may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the NX30 and W290.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The NX30 because of its larger sensor is going to make shooting bokeh easier and the Samsung NX30 will offer you more detail due to its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The more recent NX30 provides an edge in sensor tech.

Samsung NX30 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Samsung NX30 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung NX30 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung NX30 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W290 as a Portrait photography camera
77
focusing manually
good megapixels (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
27
you can focus manually
no manual control
cannot use external flash
low MP (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Samsung NX30 Street photography features
Sony W290 Street photography features
75
screen articulates
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
supports touch focus
very good ISO range (25,600)
no image stabilization
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Samsung NX30 Sports photography advice
Sony W290 Sports photography advice
73
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
good megapixels (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking focus
supports phase detect auto focus
no image stabilization
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Samsung NX30
Travel photography with Sony W290
74
supports touch focus
good megapixels (20MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
no Timelapse mode
57
has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low MP (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Samsung NX30
Landscape photography with Sony W290
71
focusing manually
switch lenses (Samsung NX mount)
good sized screen (3")
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
very good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
no image stabilization
no Timelapse mode
41
you can focus manually
quite wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung NX30 Vlogging information
Sony W290 Vlogging information
75
selfie friendly screen
built-in touchscreen
has face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with microphone port
no image stabilization
28
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic socket
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Samsung NX30 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung NX30 and Sony W290
 Samsung NX30Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Brand Name Samsung Sony
Model Samsung NX30 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Category Advanced Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2014-01-03 2009-02-17
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip DRIMeIV -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5472 x 3648 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 25600 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 247 9
Lens
Lens mount Samsung NX fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance - 10cm
Amount of lenses 32 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,036 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology AMOLED -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,359 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.66x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 2s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 9.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 3.90 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p), 1280 x 720, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 375 gr (0.83 pounds) 167 gr (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 127 x 96 x 58mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.3") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 77 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.4 not tested
DXO Low light score 1014 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 photos -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model BP1410 -
Self timer Yes (2 - 30 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD, SDHC, SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at release $699 $230