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Samsung ST100 vs Sony W290

Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
34
Overall
35
Samsung ST100 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Samsung ST100 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Samsung ST100
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-175mm (F3.6-4.8) lens
  • 155g - 100 x 60 x 20mm
  • Introduced January 2010
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
  • Announced February 2009
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Samsung ST100 vs Sony W290 Overview

Below is a detailed review of the Samsung ST100 and Sony W290, former being a Ultracompact while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Samsung and Sony. The resolution of the ST100 (14MP) and the W290 (12MP) is very close and they possess the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The ST100 was unveiled 11 months later than the W290 so they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Samsung ST100 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony W290 being a Compact camera.

Before delving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a short overview of how the ST100 scores vs the W290 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Samsung ST100 over the Sony W290

 ST100 W290 
AnnouncedJanuary 2010February 2009More recent by 11 months
Display sizing3.5"3"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1152k230kCrisper display (+922k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Samsung ST100

 W290 ST100 
Focus manually More precise focus

Common features in the Samsung ST100 and Sony W290

 ST100 W290 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Samsung ST100 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to lug around your camera frequently, you'll need to factor its weight and size. The Samsung ST100 provides outside dimensions of 100mm x 60mm x 20mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 0.8") and a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs) while 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).

Check out the Samsung ST100 and Sony W290 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Below is the front view size comparison of the ST100 and the W290.

Samsung ST100 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ST100 and W290 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Samsung ST100 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Samsung ST100 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be hard to visualize the difference in sensor measurements purely by looking through a spec sheet. The visual underneath will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the ST100 and W290.

Clearly, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You can expect to see the Samsung ST100 to result in more detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics a little more aggressively. The more recent ST100 provides a benefit in sensor tech.

Samsung ST100 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Samsung ST100 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung ST100 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung ST100 Portrait photography advice
Sony W290 Portrait photography advice
33
decent megapixels (14MP)
features face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
27
you can focus manually
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Samsung ST100 Street photography details
Sony W290 Street photography details
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers focus by touch
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
heavier than competitors (155 grams)
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Samsung ST100
Sports photography with Sony W290
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,000s)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Samsung ST100
Travel photography with Sony W290
60
offers focus by touch
decent megapixels (14MP)
built-in flash
no Time Lapse function
heavier than competitors (155 grams)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.6)
57
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
megapixel count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung ST100 Landscape photography details
Sony W290 Landscape photography details
37
very good size screen (3.5")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.6)
lack of manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
no Time Lapse function
41
you can focus manually
relatively wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Samsung ST100
Vlogging with Sony W290
29
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
wide angle not the best (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.6)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic socket
heavier than competitors (155g)
28
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone socket
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Samsung ST100 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung ST100 and Sony W290
 Samsung ST100Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Brand Samsung Sony
Model Samsung ST100 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Type Ultracompact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2010-01-06 2009-02-17
Physical type Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 35-175mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.6-4.8 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range 5cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,152k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 secs 2 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.10 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
WB bracketing
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 155g (0.34 pounds) 167g (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 100 x 60 x 20mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 0.8") 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
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage MicroSD/ MicroSDHC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $250 $230