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Samsung ST100 vs Sony A290

Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
34
Overall
35
Samsung ST100 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
53
Features
47
Overall
50

Samsung ST100 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Samsung ST100
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-175mm (F3.6-4.8) lens
  • 155g - 100 x 60 x 20mm
  • Announced January 2010
Sony A290
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • 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 ST100 vs Sony A290 Overview

On this page, we will be analyzing the Samsung ST100 and Sony A290, former being a Ultracompact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Samsung and Sony. The sensor resolution of the ST100 (14MP) and the A290 (14MP) is pretty comparable but the ST100 (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) boast different sensor size.

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The ST100 was unveiled 5 months before the A290 and they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Samsung ST100 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving straight to a full comparison, here is a quick overview of how the ST100 grades vs the A290 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Samsung ST100 over the Sony A290

 ST100 A290 
Screen dimensions3.5"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.8")
Screen resolution1152k230kCrisper screen (+922k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Samsung ST100

 A290 ST100 
Manual focus Dial exact focus

Common features in the Samsung ST100 and Sony A290

 ST100 A290 
LaunchedJanuary 2010June 2010Same age
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Samsung ST100 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to lug around your camera regularly, you need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Samsung ST100 features physical dimensions of 100mm x 60mm x 20mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 0.8") along with a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs) whilst the Sony A290 has proportions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Examine the Samsung ST100 and Sony A290 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at the time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the ST100 and the A290.

Samsung ST100 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the ST100 and A290 is 95 and 66 respectively.

Samsung ST100 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Samsung ST100 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is tough to imagine the difference in sensor measurements purely by seeing specifications. The graphic underneath will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the ST100 and A290.

To sum up, each of these cameras have the same resolution albeit different sensor measurements. The ST100 uses the smaller sensor which is going to make getting shallower DOF trickier.

Samsung ST100 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Samsung ST100 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung ST100 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung ST100 Portrait photography highlights
Sony A290 Portrait photography highlights
33
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
comes with face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
65
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
no liveview
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Street Comparison

Samsung ST100 Street photography features
Sony A290 Street photography features
60
image stabilization (Optical)
boasts touch focus
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
heavier than competitors in class (155g)
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Samsung ST100
Sports photography with Sony A290
34
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
max shutter speed is low (1/1,000s)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
no liveview
max fps very slow (3.0 frames per second)
low battery life (290 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Samsung ST100
Travel photography with Sony A290
60
boasts touch focus
decent megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
no Time Lapse function
heavier than competitors in class (155g)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.6)
53
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low battery life (290 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Samsung ST100
Landscape photography with Sony A290
37
big screen (3.5")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.6)
manual mode not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
no Time Lapse function
57
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no liveview
low battery life (290 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung ST100 Vlogging info
Sony A290 Vlogging info
29
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.6)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic socket
heavier than competitors in class (155g)
9
no video shooting
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Samsung ST100 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung ST100 and Sony A290
 Samsung ST100Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Make Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung ST100 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Category Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2010-01-06 2010-06-09
Physical type Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 35-175mm (5.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.6-4.8 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Available lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3.5 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 1,152 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate - 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.10 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Video format Motion JPEG -
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 155 gr (0.34 pounds) 549 gr (1.21 pounds)
Physical dimensions 100 x 60 x 20mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 0.8") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 shots
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage MicroSD/ MicroSDHC, Internal Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Card slots Single Single
Launch price $250 $600