Samsung ST80 vs Sony W290
96 Imaging
36 Features
34 Overall
35


94 Imaging
34 Features
28 Overall
31
Samsung ST80 vs Sony W290 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- 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
- Announced January 2010
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-140mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
- 167g - 98 x 57 x 23mm
- Revealed February 2009

Samsung ST80 vs Sony W290 Overview
Below, we are analyzing the Samsung ST80 versus Sony W290, former being a Ultracompact while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Samsung and Sony. The image resolution of the ST80 (14MP) and the W290 (12MP) is very well matched and they use the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

The ST80 was announced 11 months later than the W290 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Samsung ST80 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony W290 being a Compact camera.
Before delving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief overview of how the ST80 scores against the W290 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Samsung ST80 vs Sony W290 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Samsung ST80 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290. The whole galleries are available at Samsung ST80 Gallery & Sony W290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Samsung ST80 over the Sony W290
ST80 | W290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2010 | ![]() | February 2009 | More recent by 11 months |
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Samsung ST80
W290 | ST80 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very exact focus |
Common features in the Samsung ST80 and Sony W290
ST80 | W290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical display size |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Identical display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen |
Samsung ST80 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is looking to lug around your camera, you will have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Samsung ST80 provides outer measurements of 92mm x 55mm x 19mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.7") having a weight of 118 grams (0.26 lbs) and the Sony W290 has dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Check the Samsung ST80 versus Sony W290 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the ST80 against the W290.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ST80 and W290 is 96 and 94 respectively.

Samsung ST80 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it's tough to imagine the contrast between sensor measurements just by reading through technical specs. The graphic below may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the ST80 and W290.
As you can tell, each of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different resolution. You can expect to see the Samsung ST80 to give more detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop images much more aggressively. The more modern ST80 should have an advantage in sensor technology.

Samsung ST80 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Samsung ST80 vs Sony W290 Specifications
Samsung ST80 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Samsung | Sony |
Model | Samsung ST80 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 |
Category | Ultracompact | Small Sensor Compact |
Announced | 2010-01-06 | 2009-02-17 |
Body design | Ultracompact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 4800 | 3200 |
Max boosted ISO | 6400 | - |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 35-105mm (3.0x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.3-5.5 | f/3.3-5.2 |
Macro focus distance | 5cm | 10cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 8 secs | 2 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/1500 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | - | 2.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 5.00 m | 3.90 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
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) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 118g (0.26 lb) | 167g (0.37 lb) |
Dimensions | 92 x 55 x 19mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.7") | 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery model | BP70A | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double, Motion) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | MicroSD/ MicroSDHC, Internal | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Launch price | $249 | $230 |