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Samsung ST600 vs Sony A290

Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
40
Overall
37
Samsung ST600 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
53
Features
47
Overall
50

Samsung ST600 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Samsung ST600
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 4800 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 27-135mm (F3.3-5.5) lens
  • 150g - 104 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
  • Released June 2010
  • Older Model is Sony A230
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Samsung ST600 vs Sony A290 Overview

Here is a extensive assessment of the Samsung ST600 versus Sony A290, former being a Ultracompact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Samsung and Sony. The image resolution of the ST600 (14MP) and the A290 (14MP) is pretty similar but the ST600 (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) posses different sensor sizes.

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The ST600 was revealed 5 months earlier than the A290 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Samsung ST600 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting straight to a detailed comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the ST600 grades against the A290 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Samsung ST600 over the Sony A290

 ST600 A290 
Screen size3.5"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.8")
Screen resolution1152k230kCrisper screen (+922k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Samsung ST600

 A290 ST600 
Focus manually More accurate focus

Common features in the Samsung ST600 and Sony A290

 ST600 A290 
ReleasedJanuary 2010June 2010Similar age
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Samsung ST600 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera, you will have to consider its weight and size. The Samsung ST600 comes with outer dimensions of 104mm x 60mm x 20mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 0.8") having a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) and the Sony A290 has specifications of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") having a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Check out the Samsung ST600 versus Sony A290 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the ST600 vs the A290.

Samsung ST600 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the ST600 and A290 is 95 and 66 respectively.

Samsung ST600 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Samsung ST600 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizing simply by going over specs. The visual here will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the ST600 and A290.

All in all, both the cameras feature the identical MP albeit different sensor sizing. The ST600 features the tinier sensor which will make getting bokeh tougher.

Samsung ST600 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Samsung ST600 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung ST600 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Samsung ST600
Portrait photography with Sony A290
29
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
65
focusing manually
MP count good (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
does not have liveview
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Street Comparison

Samsung ST600 as a Street photography camera
Sony A290 as a Street photography camera
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
boasts touch focus
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
more heavy than others in class (150 grams)
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Samsung ST600 Sports photography advice
Sony A290 Sports photography advice
43
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
low frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
low battery life (290 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Samsung ST600 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A290 as a Travel photography camera
65
boasts touch focus
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (27mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
more heavy than others in class (150 grams)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.3)
53
MP count good (14MP)
flash built-in
no Time Lapse recording
low battery life (290 CIPA)
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung ST600 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A290 Landscape photography highlights
43
quite wide (27mm)
screen larger than average (3.5 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
57
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
does not have liveview
low battery life (290 shots)
no Time Lapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Samsung ST600 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A290 as a Vlogging camera
30
quite wide (27mm)
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone jack
more heavy than others in class (150g)
9
lack of video recording
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Samsung ST600 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung ST600 and Sony A290
 Samsung ST600Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Make Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung ST600 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Type 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 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 4800 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 27-135mm (5.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.3-5.5 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Available lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3.5 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 1,152k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate - 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes 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
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 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 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30, 15 fps) -
Maximum 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 150 gr (0.33 lbs) 549 gr (1.21 lbs)
Physical dimensions 104 x 60 x 20mm (4.1" 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 photographs
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID SLB07 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double, Motion) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type MicroSD/ MicroSDHC, Internal Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing $330 $600