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Samsung ST80 vs Sony A290

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
34
Overall
35
Samsung ST80 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Samsung ST80 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Samsung ST80
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 4800 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-105mm (F3.3-5.5) lens
  • 118g - 92 x 55 x 19mm
  • Launched January 2010
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
  • Revealed June 2010
  • Old Model is Sony A230
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Samsung ST80 vs Sony A290 Overview

Following is a complete assessment of the Samsung ST80 vs Sony A290, former is a Ultracompact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Samsung and Sony. The sensor resolution of the ST80 (14MP) and the A290 (14MP) is fairly close but the ST80 (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) possess different sensor size.

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The ST80 was announced 5 months before the A290 so they are of a similar age. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Samsung ST80 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief view of how the ST80 grades vs the A290 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Samsung ST80 over the Sony A290

 ST80 A290 
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Samsung ST80

 A290 ST80 
Focus manually Dial exact focus

Common features in the Samsung ST80 and Sony A290

 ST80 A290 
RevealedJanuary 2010June 2010Same age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Samsung ST80 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera often, you should take into account its weight and proportions. The Samsung ST80 has got exterior dimensions of 92mm x 55mm x 19mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.7") and a weight of 118 grams (0.26 lbs) and the Sony A290 has measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Take a look at the Samsung ST80 vs Sony A290 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the ST80 compared to the A290.

Samsung ST80 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the ST80 and A290 is 96 and 66 respectively.

Samsung ST80 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Samsung ST80 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's tough to imagine the difference in sensor sizes merely by researching technical specs. The image underneath will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the ST80 and A290.

As you can tell, both the cameras have got the exact same resolution but different sensor sizes. The ST80 offers the smaller sensor which will make getting shallower DOF more challenging.

Samsung ST80 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Samsung ST80 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung ST80 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung ST80 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A290 as a Portrait photography camera
30
megapixel count good (14MP)
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
65
has manual focus
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers face detect focus
delivers RAW files
no liveview
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Street Comparison

Samsung ST80 Street photography advice
Sony A290 Street photography advice
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports touch focus
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Samsung ST80
Sports photography with Sony A290
43
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
no liveview
max fps low (3.0 frames per second)
not so great battery life (290 shots)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Samsung ST80
Travel photography with Sony A290
62
supports touch focus
megapixel count good (14MP)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
53
good MP (14MP)
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse mode
not so great battery life (290 CIPA)
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung ST80 Landscape photography features
Sony A290 Landscape photography features
39
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
58
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
small screen (2.7 inch)
no liveview
not so great battery life (290 shots)
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung ST80 Vlogging features
Sony A290 Vlogging features
28
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic jack
9
can't record video
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Samsung ST80 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung ST80 and Sony A290
 Samsung ST80Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Brand Name Samsung Sony
Model Samsung ST80 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Category Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2010-01-06 2010-06-09
Physical type Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor 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 14 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 4800 3200
Max enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 35-105mm (3.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.3-5.5 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Total lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate - 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.00 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options 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
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30, 15 fps) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 118 gr (0.26 lb) 549 gr (1.21 lb)
Dimensions 92 x 55 x 19mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.7") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 66
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.5
DXO Low light score not tested 615
Other
Battery life - 290 photos
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model BP70A 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 One One
Pricing at release $249 $600