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Samsung ST30 vs Sony A290

Portability
98
Imaging
32
Features
18
Overall
26
Samsung ST30 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Samsung ST30 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Samsung ST30
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 0 - 0
  • 640 x 480 video
  • ()mm (F) lens
  • 87g - 82 x 52 x 17mm
  • 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
  • Older Model is Sony A230
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Samsung ST30 vs Sony A290 Overview

Here is a extensive overview of the Samsung ST30 versus Sony A290, one being a Ultracompact and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Samsung and Sony. There is a crucial difference between the sensor resolutions of the ST30 (10MP) and A290 (14MP) and the ST30 (1/3") and A290 (APS-C) offer different sensor sizing.

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The ST30 was manufactured 8 months later than the A290 so they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras have different body design with the Samsung ST30 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief overview of how the ST30 grades against the A290 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Samsung ST30 over the Sony A290

 ST30 A290 
LaunchedJanuary 2011June 2010Fresher by 8 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Samsung ST30

 A290 ST30 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing

Common features in the Samsung ST30 and Sony A290

 ST30 A290 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Samsung ST30 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry your camera regularly, you should take into account its weight and measurements. The Samsung ST30 has physical measurements of 82mm x 52mm x 17mm (3.2" x 2.0" x 0.7") with a weight of 87 grams (0.19 lbs) and the Sony A290 has proportions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Analyze the Samsung ST30 versus Sony A290 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the ST30 compared to the A290.

Samsung ST30 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the ST30 and A290 is 98 and 66 respectively.

Samsung ST30 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Samsung ST30 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be hard to visualize the gap between sensor sizing only by checking specifications. The visual here might give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the ST30 and A290.

Plainly, both of these cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The ST30 because of its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF more difficult and the Sony A290 will give extra detail due to its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will help you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more recent ST30 should have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Samsung ST30 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Samsung ST30 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung ST30 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung ST30 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A290 as a Portrait photography camera
19
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (10MP)
small sensor (1/3")
has no RAW files
65
manual focus
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detect focus
saves RAW formats
no liveview feature
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Street Comparison

Samsung ST30 as a Street photography camera
Sony A290 as a Street photography camera
54
lighter than competition (87 grams)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/3")
has no RAW files
low maximum ISO (0)
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Samsung ST30 Sports photography factors
Sony A290 Sports photography factors
16
can't change focal length (()mm)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
small sensor (1/3")
has no phase detect AF
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
slow fps (3.0 fps)
terrible battery (290 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Samsung ST30 Travel photography details
Sony A290 Travel photography details
65
lighter than competition (87g)
built-in flash
great max aperture (f)
does not have Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
53
good MP (14MP)
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse function
terrible battery (290 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung ST30 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A290 as a Landscape photography camera
30
great max aperture (f)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
no manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (()mm)
lack of manual mode
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
small sensor (1/3")
low maximum ISO (0)
has no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
58
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
tiny screen (2.7")
no liveview feature
terrible battery (290 per charge)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung ST30 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A290 as a Vlogging camera
29
great max aperture (f)
lighter than competition (87 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have external mic support
9
no video
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Samsung ST30 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung ST30 and Sony A290
 Samsung ST30Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Manufacturer Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung ST30 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Class Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2011-01-19 2010-06-09
Physical type Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 4.8 x 3.6mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 17.3mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO - 3200
Lowest native ISO - 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range () -
Total lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 7.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 -
Max video resolution 640x480 None
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 87 gr (0.19 pounds) 549 gr (1.21 pounds)
Physical dimensions 82 x 52 x 17mm (3.2" x 2.0" x 0.7") 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 pictures
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FH50
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage - Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $55 $600