Samsung ST6500 vs Sony A290
99 Imaging
38 Features
29 Overall
34


66 Imaging
53 Features
47 Overall
50
Samsung ST6500 vs Sony A290 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- 1280 x 720 video
- 26-130mm (F) lens
- n/ag - 102 x 57 x 19mm
- Released January 2011
(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
- Revealed June 2010
- Replaced the Sony A230

Samsung ST6500 vs Sony A290 Overview
Here, we will be looking at the Samsung ST6500 and Sony A290, former is a Ultracompact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Samsung and Sony. The image resolution of the ST6500 (16MP) and the A290 (14MP) is relatively close but the ST6500 (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) boast different sensor dimensions.

The ST6500 was revealed 8 months after the A290 which means that they are of a similar age. Both cameras feature different body design with the Samsung ST6500 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before diving into a thorough comparison, here is a brief summary of how the ST6500 matches up against the A290 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Samsung ST6500 vs Sony A290 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Samsung ST6500 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A290. The full galleries are viewable at Samsung ST6500 Gallery & Sony A290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Samsung ST6500 over the Sony A290
ST6500 | A290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2011 | ![]() | June 2010 | Newer by 8 months |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+230k dot) |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Samsung ST6500
A290 | ST6500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial exact focus |
Common features in the Samsung ST6500 and Sony A290
ST6500 | A290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen |
Samsung ST6500 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison
If you are going to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Samsung ST6500 has external measurements of 102mm x 57mm x 19mm (4.0" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs) whilst the Sony A290 has dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") and a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).
See the Samsung ST6500 and Sony A290 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you use at that time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the ST6500 compared to the A290.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the ST6500 and A290 is 99 and 66 respectively.

Samsung ST6500 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison
Often, it can be tough to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions only by researching specifications. The image underneath may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the ST6500 and A290.
Plainly, both cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The ST6500 having a smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field more challenging and the Samsung ST6500 will render extra detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The younger ST6500 should have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Samsung ST6500 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Samsung ST6500 vs Sony A290 Specifications
Samsung ST6500 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Samsung | Sony |
Model type | Samsung ST6500 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 |
Type | Ultracompact | Entry-Level DSLR |
Released | 2011-01-19 | 2010-06-09 |
Physical type | Ultracompact | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 23.5 x 15.7mm |
Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 369.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 14MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4592 x 3056 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | - | 9 |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Lens zoom range | 26-130mm (5.0x) | - |
Amount of lenses | - | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3 inch | 2.7 inch |
Resolution of screen | 460 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 95% |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.55x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 8s | 30s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shooting rate | - | 3.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | - | 10.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash options | - | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | - | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 | - |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 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 | - | 549 gr (1.21 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 102 x 57 x 19mm (4.0" x 2.2" 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 shots |
Battery type | - | 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 | Single | Single |
Price at launch | - | $600 |