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Samsung SL720 vs Sony W290

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Samsung SL720 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Samsung SL720 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Samsung SL720
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 28-102mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
  • 168g - 92 x 61 x 23mm
  • Revealed July 2009
  • Additionally referred to as PL70
Sony W290
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 98 x 57 x 23mm
  • Announced February 2009
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Samsung SL720 vs Sony W290 Overview

On this page, we will be comparing the Samsung SL720 and Sony W290, one being a Ultracompact and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Samsung and Sony. The image resolution of the SL720 (12MP) and the W290 (12MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SL720 was revealed 5 months later than the W290 so they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Samsung SL720 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony W290 being a Compact camera.

Before diving into a thorough comparison, here is a short introduction of how the SL720 grades vs the W290 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Samsung SL720 over the Sony W290

 SL720 W290 

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Samsung SL720

 W290 SL720 
Manual focus More exact focus
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Samsung SL720 and Sony W290

 SL720 W290 
AnnouncedJuly 2009February 2009Similar generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Samsung SL720 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to lug around your camera, you'll have to take into account its weight and size. The Samsung SL720 provides outer dimensions of 92mm x 61mm x 23mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") and a weight of 168 grams (0.37 lbs) and the Sony W290 has specifications of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Contrast the Samsung SL720 and Sony W290 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you select at that moment. Here is a front view scale comparison of the SL720 compared to the W290.

Samsung SL720 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the SL720 and W290 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Samsung SL720 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Samsung SL720 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its tough to picture the gap between sensor measurements purely by looking at specifications. The visual underneath may give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SL720 and W290.

Plainly, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same exact megapixels so you should expect similar quality of photographs although you have to consider the production date of the products into consideration.

Samsung SL720 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Samsung SL720 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung SL720 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung SL720 Portrait photography details
Sony W290 Portrait photography details
21
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
27
you can focus manually
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Samsung SL720 Street photography highlights
Sony W290 Street photography highlights
47
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
more heavy than competition in class (168g)
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Samsung SL720 Sports photography information
Sony W290 Sports photography information
17
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Samsung SL720
Travel photography with Sony W290
56
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition in class (168g)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
57
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung SL720 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W290 as a Landscape photography camera
27
really wide (28mm)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual mode not possible
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
41
you can focus manually
rather wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not available
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung SL720 Vlogging details
Sony W290 Vlogging details
25
really wide (28mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 pixels)
missing microphone port
more heavy than competition in class (168 grams)
28
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic socket
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Samsung SL720 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung SL720 and Sony W290
 Samsung SL720Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Company Samsung Sony
Model Samsung SL720 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Otherwise known as PL70 -
Class Ultracompact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2009-07-14 2009-02-17
Physical type Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-102mm (3.6x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance 5cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 secs 2 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.60 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 800 x 592 (20 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 168 gr (0.37 lb) 167 gr (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 92 x 61 x 23mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery model SLB-10A -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $119 $230