Samsung ST600 vs Sony A290
95 Imaging
36 Features
40 Overall
37


66 Imaging
53 Features
47 Overall
50
Samsung ST600 vs Sony A290 Key Specs
(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
(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

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.

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.

Samsung ST600 vs Sony A290 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Samsung ST600 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A290. The full galleries are available at Samsung ST600 Gallery & Sony A290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Samsung ST600 over the Sony A290
ST600 | A290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen size | 3.5" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.8") |
Screen resolution | 1152k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper 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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2010 | ![]() | June 2010 | Similar age |
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Samsung ST600 vs Sony A290 Specifications
Samsung ST600 | Sony 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 |