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Samsung NX300 vs Sony A290

Portability
86
Imaging
63
Features
73
Overall
67
Samsung NX300 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Samsung NX300 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Samsung NX300
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 331g - 122 x 64 x 41mm
  • Announced November 2013
  • Old Model is Samsung NX210
  • Replacement is Samsung NX500
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
  • Launched June 2010
  • Succeeded the Sony A230
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Samsung NX300 vs Sony A290 Overview

On this page, we are contrasting the Samsung NX300 versus Sony A290, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Samsung and Sony. There exists a huge gap between the sensor resolutions of the NX300 (20MP) and A290 (14MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

Photography Glossary

The NX300 was launched 3 years after the A290 which is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Samsung NX300 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the NX300 scores versus the A290 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Samsung NX300 over the Sony A290

 NX300 A290 
LaunchedNovember 2013June 2010More modern by 43 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3.3"2.7"Larger display (+0.6")
Display resolution768k230kClearer display (+538k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Samsung NX300

 A290 NX300 

Common features in the Samsung NX300 and Sony A290

 NX300 A290 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Samsung NX300 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera often, you will want to think about its weight and volume. The Samsung NX300 provides external measurements of 122mm x 64mm x 41mm (4.8" x 2.5" x 1.6") with a weight of 331 grams (0.73 lbs) whilst the Sony A290 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") along with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Take a look at the Samsung NX300 versus Sony A290 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you use during that time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the NX300 compared to the A290.

Samsung NX300 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the NX300 and A290 is 86 and 66 respectively.

Samsung NX300 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Samsung NX300 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes purely by going over a spec sheet. The picture here will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the NX300 and A290.

Clearly, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You should anticipate the Samsung NX300 to offer more detail utilizing its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop images a bit more aggressively. The more recent NX300 provides a benefit in sensor tech.

Samsung NX300 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Samsung NX300 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung NX300 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Samsung NX300
Portrait photography with Sony A290
77
focusing manually
good megapixels (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
65
you can focus manually
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Samsung NX300 Street photography information
Sony A290 Street photography information
80
has a tilting screen
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
provides touch focus
above average high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Samsung NX300
Sports photography with Sony A290
73
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
comes with phase detect AF
no image stabilization
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
low frames per second (3.0 fps)
bad battery life (290 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Samsung NX300 Travel photography features
Sony A290 Travel photography features
67
provides touch focus
good megapixels (20MP)
lack of Timelapse function
does not have a selfie friendly display
53
good megapixels (14MP)
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
bad battery life (290 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung NX300 Landscape photography information
Sony A290 Landscape photography information
72
focusing manually
switch lenses (Samsung NX mount)
screen size is good (3.3 inches)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
above average high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
no image stabilization
lack of Timelapse function
58
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen is small (2.7 inch)
doesn't have liveview
bad battery life (290 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung NX300 Vlogging advice
Sony A290 Vlogging advice
33
built-in touchscreen
features face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
lack of external microphone socket
9
can't shoot video
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Samsung NX300 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung NX300 and Sony A290
 Samsung NX300Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Brand Samsung Sony
Model Samsung NX300 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2013-11-24 2010-06-09
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip DRIMe IV Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5472 x 3648 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 25600 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 247 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Samsung NX Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 32 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3.3" 2.7"
Display resolution 768k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology Active Matrix OLED screen -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 9.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes 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
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180 secs 1/160 secs
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 -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 331 grams (0.73 lbs) 549 grams (1.21 lbs)
Physical dimensions 122 x 64 x 41mm (4.8" x 2.5" x 1.6") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 76 66
DXO Color Depth score 23.6 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score 12.7 11.5
DXO Low light score 942 615
Other
Battery life 330 images 290 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BP1130 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 sec to 30 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $750 $600