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Samsung WB50F vs Sony W290

Portability
92
Imaging
40
Features
36
Overall
38
Samsung WB50F front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
28
Overall
32

Samsung WB50F vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Samsung WB50F
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 207g - 101 x 68 x 27mm
  • Revealed January 2014
Sony W290
(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
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Samsung WB50F vs Sony W290 Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Samsung WB50F vs Sony W290, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Samsung and Sony. There exists a sizable gap among the image resolutions of the WB50F (16MP) and W290 (12MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The WB50F was launched 4 years later than the W290 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a short highlight of how the WB50F matches up against the W290 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Samsung WB50F over the Sony W290

 WB50F W290 
RevealedJanuary 2014February 2009More recent by 60 months
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Samsung WB50F

 W290 WB50F 

Common features in the Samsung WB50F and Sony W290

 WB50F W290 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Samsung WB50F vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to lug around your camera, you are going to need to factor its weight and measurements. The Samsung WB50F offers exterior measurements of 101mm x 68mm x 27mm (4.0" x 2.7" x 1.1") with a weight of 207 grams (0.46 lbs) and the Sony W290 has proportions of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

See the Samsung WB50F vs Sony W290 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the WB50F vs the W290.

Samsung WB50F vs Sony W290 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the WB50F and W290 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Samsung WB50F vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Samsung WB50F vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its hard to picture the difference in sensor measurements just by checking out technical specs. The graphic underneath might give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the WB50F and W290.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Samsung WB50F to provide extra detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics a little more aggressively. The more modern WB50F should have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Samsung WB50F vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Samsung WB50F vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung WB50F vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Samsung WB50F
Portrait photography with Sony W290
37
manual focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
no manual control
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
27
manual focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Samsung WB50F
Street photography with Sony W290
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (207 grams)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Samsung WB50F Sports photography advice
Sony W290 Sports photography advice
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
25
image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Samsung WB50F Travel photography advice
Sony W290 Travel photography advice
69
lighter than average (207g)
MP count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
very long reach (288mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
does not posses selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
57
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung WB50F as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W290 as a Landscape photography camera
47
manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
41
manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not available
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung WB50F Vlogging information
Sony W290 Vlogging information
30
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (207 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic support
28
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic jack
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Samsung WB50F vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung WB50F and Sony W290
 Samsung WB50FSony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Brand Name Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung WB50F Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2014-01-07 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 alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-288mm (12.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-6.3 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance - 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed - 2 secs
Highest shutter speed - 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 3.90 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format - MPEG-4
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 207g (0.46 lbs) 167g (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 101 x 68 x 27mm (4.0" x 2.7" x 1.1") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery ID BP70A -
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media MicroSD, MicroSDHC, MicroSDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $180 $230