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Samsung PL210 vs Sony A290

Portability
99
Imaging
37
Features
19
Overall
29
Samsung PL210 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
53
Features
47
Overall
50

Samsung PL210 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Samsung PL210
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 0 - 0
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • ()mm (F) lens
  • n/ag - 100 x 59 x 20mm
  • Released January 2011
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
  • Earlier Model is Sony A230
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Samsung PL210 vs Sony A290 Overview

Here, we are contrasting the Samsung PL210 versus Sony A290, former being a Ultracompact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Samsung and Sony. The resolution of the PL210 (14MP) and the A290 (14MP) is very similar but the PL210 (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) boast different sensor dimensions.

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The PL210 was launched 7 months later than the A290 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Samsung PL210 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick view of how the PL210 grades against the A290 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Samsung PL210 over the Sony A290

 PL210 A290 
LaunchedJanuary 2011June 2010More recent by 7 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Samsung PL210

 A290 PL210 
Manually focus Very exact focusing

Common features in the Samsung PL210 and Sony A290

 PL210 A290 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Samsung PL210 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to lug around your camera, you'll need to think about its weight and volume. The Samsung PL210 has got physical dimensions of 100mm x 59mm x 20mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs) while the Sony A290 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Check the Samsung PL210 versus Sony A290 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the PL210 compared to the A290.

Samsung PL210 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the PL210 and A290 is 99 and 66 respectively.

Samsung PL210 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Samsung PL210 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very difficult to imagine the gap between sensor measurements only by going over specifications. The graphic here will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the PL210 and A290.

Plainly, both the cameras feature the identical megapixel count but different sensor measurements. The PL210 includes the tinier sensor which is going to make achieving shallow DOF more difficult. The younger PL210 provides an edge in sensor technology.

Samsung PL210 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Samsung PL210 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung PL210 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung PL210 Portrait photography information
Sony A290 Portrait photography information
28
decent MP (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
65
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
does not have liveview
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Street Comparison

Samsung PL210 Street photography information
Sony A290 Street photography information
49
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
maximum ISO low (0)
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Samsung PL210
Sports photography with Sony A290
26
decent MP (14MP)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
55
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
low frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
bad battery power (290 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Samsung PL210 Travel photography info
Sony A290 Travel photography info
71
decent MP (14MP)
has built in flash
good maximum aperture (f)
no Timelapse mode
does not have selfie friendly screen
53
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
bad battery power (290 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung PL210 Landscape photography info
Sony A290 Landscape photography info
37
good maximum aperture (f)
nice screen size (3 inch)
decent MP (14MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (()mm)
no manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
maximum ISO low (0)
has no RAW format
no Timelapse mode
57
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen is small (2.7 inch)
does not have liveview
bad battery power (290 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung PL210 Vlogging advice
Sony A290 Vlogging advice
27
good maximum aperture (f)
does not have selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone jack
9
no video
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Samsung PL210 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung PL210 and Sony A290
 Samsung PL210Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Brand Name Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung PL210 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Category Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2011-01-05 2010-06-09
Body design Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.16 x 4.62mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 28.5mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO - 3200
Min native ISO - 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range () -
Available lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed - 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight - 549g (1.21 pounds)
Physical dimensions 100 x 59 x 20mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 66
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.5
DXO Low light rating not tested 615
Other
Battery life - 290 photos
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FH50
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media - Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $200 $600