Samsung TL240 vs Sony W290
95 Imaging
36 Features
32 Overall
34


94 Imaging
34 Features
28 Overall
31
Samsung TL240 vs Sony W290 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 4800 (Push to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 31-217mm (F3.3-5.5) lens
- 160g - 104 x 58 x 20mm
- Released January 2010
- Additionally referred to as ST5000
(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
- Launched February 2009

Samsung TL240 vs Sony W290 Overview
On this page, we are reviewing the Samsung TL240 vs Sony W290, former being a Ultracompact while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Samsung and Sony. The sensor resolution of the TL240 (14MP) and the W290 (12MP) is very well matched and both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The TL240 was announced 11 months later than the W290 which means that they are both of a similar age. The two cameras have different body design with the Samsung TL240 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony W290 being a Compact camera.
Before delving right into a complete comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the TL240 grades against the W290 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Samsung TL240 vs Sony W290 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Samsung TL240 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290. The whole galleries are viewable at Samsung TL240 Gallery & Sony W290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Samsung TL240 over the Sony W290
TL240 | W290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2010 | ![]() | February 2009 | More recent by 11 months |
Display dimensions | 3.5" | ![]() | 3" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Samsung TL240
W290 | TL240 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very exact focus |
Common features in the Samsung TL240 and Sony W290
TL240 | W290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Same display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen |
Samsung TL240 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison
When you are aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you have to think about its weight and proportions. The Samsung TL240 provides physical measurements of 104mm x 58mm x 20mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Sony W290 has measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Compare the Samsung TL240 vs Sony W290 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are working with at that time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the TL240 compared to the W290.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the TL240 and W290 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Samsung TL240 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is tough to visualise the gap between sensor measurements only by looking at a spec sheet. The photograph underneath should offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the TL240 and W290.
As you can see, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Samsung TL240 to give you greater detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics more aggressively. The younger TL240 is going to have a benefit in sensor technology.

Samsung TL240 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Samsung TL240 vs Sony W290 Specifications
Samsung TL240 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Samsung | Sony |
Model | Samsung TL240 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 |
Also Known as | ST5000 | - |
Type | Ultracompact | Small Sensor Compact |
Released | 2010-01-06 | 2009-02-17 |
Physical type | Ultracompact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14MP | 12MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4334 x 3256 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 4800 | 3200 |
Highest enhanced ISO | 6400 | - |
Min native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 31-217mm (7.0x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.3-5.5 | f/3.3-5.2 |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | 10cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3.5 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 230 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 8s | 2s |
Max shutter speed | 1/1500s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shutter rate | - | 2.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 5.00 m | 3.90 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
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) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
Mic 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 | 160 gr (0.35 lbs) | 167 gr (0.37 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 104 x 58 x 20mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") | 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 | SLB-11A | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double, Motion) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | MicroSD/ MicroSDHC, Internal | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at release | $171 | $230 |