• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 125.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony DSC-W290 advantages over Samsung MV900F

  • Less expensive
    $249 vs $350 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Samsung MV900F advantages over Sony DSC-W290

  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.5 vs f/3.3
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Thinner
    17 mm vs 22 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Lighter weight
    132g vs 174g
    Lighter weight
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.3 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    25 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    8 vs 2 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSC-W170

Sony DSC-W290
Sony DSC-W170
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels
  • $225
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer stills battery life
Samsung MV900F
Sony DSC-W170
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $225
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FS25S

Sony DSC-W290
Panasonic DMC-FS25S
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $175
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer exposure
  • Higher extended ISO
Samsung MV900F
Panasonic DMC-FS25S
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $175
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Canon SD970 IS

Sony DSC-W290
Canon SD970 IS
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • HDMI out
Samsung MV900F
Canon SD970 IS
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Sony DSC-WX9

Sony DSC-W290
Sony DSC-WX9
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $175
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture
Samsung MV900F
Sony DSC-WX9
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $175
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive

Compared to Sony W650

Sony DSC-W290
Sony W650
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $265
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture
Samsung MV900F
Sony W650
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $265
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
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