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Samsung WB30F vs Sony W290

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
33
Overall
37
Samsung WB30F front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
28
Overall
32

Samsung WB30F vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Samsung WB30F
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-240mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 128g - 98 x 58 x 17mm
  • Launched January 2013
Sony W290
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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
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Samsung WB30F vs Sony W290 Overview

In this write-up, we will be matching up the Samsung WB30F versus Sony W290, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Samsung and Sony. There is a sizable difference between the sensor resolutions of the WB30F (16MP) and W290 (12MP) but they use the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The WB30F was introduced 3 years after the W290 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting straight into a in depth comparison, below is a quick view of how the WB30F scores against the W290 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Samsung WB30F over the Sony W290

 WB30F W290 
RevealedJanuary 2013February 2009More modern by 48 months

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Samsung WB30F

 W290 WB30F 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus

Common features in the Samsung WB30F and Sony W290

 WB30F W290 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Samsung WB30F vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to think about its weight and measurements. The Samsung WB30F has outer measurements of 98mm x 58mm x 17mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") with a weight of 128 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Sony W290 has proportions of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Compare the Samsung WB30F versus Sony W290 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are using at that time. Here is the front view size comparison of the WB30F vs the W290.

Samsung WB30F vs Sony W290 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the WB30F and W290 is 96 and 94 respectively.

Samsung WB30F vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Samsung WB30F vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is tough to imagine the difference between sensor sizes only by reading specifications. The pic below may provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the WB30F and W290.

To sum up, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You can expect the Samsung WB30F to deliver extra detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs a little more aggressively. The fresher WB30F provides an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Samsung WB30F vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Samsung WB30F vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung WB30F vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Samsung WB30F
Portrait photography with Sony W290
35
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
provides face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
27
manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Samsung WB30F Street photography advice
Sony W290 Street photography advice
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (128g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Samsung WB30F as a Sports photography camera
Sony W290 as a Sports photography camera
45
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
provides tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Samsung WB30F Travel photography information
Sony W290 Travel photography information
69
lighter than competitors (128g)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
57
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse function
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung WB30F as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W290 as a Landscape photography camera
43
rather wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Timelapse mode
41
manual focus
really wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung WB30F Vlogging factors
Sony W290 Vlogging factors
33
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
lighter than competitors (128g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone port
28
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic port
Photography Glossary

Samsung WB30F vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung WB30F and Sony W290
 Samsung WB30FSony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Brand Samsung Sony
Model Samsung WB30F Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-01-07 2009-02-17
Body design Compact 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 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-240mm (10.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-6.3 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range - 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology QVGA TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8s 2s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed - 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 3.90 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 128 grams (0.28 pounds) 167 grams (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 98 x 58 x 17mm (3.9" x 2.3" 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
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $180 $230