• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A290 advantages over Samsung NX210

  • Lens selection
    Good vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $900 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.16 vs 4.33 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 500 vs 320 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    18 vs 11 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Samsung NX210 advantages over Sony DSLR-A290

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Higher effective ISO
    719 vs 615 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Thinner
    36 mm vs 79 mm
    Thinner
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    222g vs 508g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    614k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    20.3 vs 14.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.0 fps vs 2.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D5000

Sony DSLR-A290
Nikon D5000
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tiltable Screen
Samsung NX210
Nikon D5000
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Canon T1i

Sony DSLR-A290
Canon T1i
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Samsung NX210
Canon T1i
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sony DSLR-A390

Sony DSLR-A290
Sony DSLR-A390
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $507
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
Samsung NX210
Sony DSLR-A390
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $507
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Samsung NX2000

Sony DSLR-A290
Samsung NX2000
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $680
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
Samsung NX210
Samsung NX2000
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • External Mic Jack
  • Wider angle kit lens
  • $680
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Samsung NX3300

Sony DSLR-A290
Samsung NX3300
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
Samsung NX210
Samsung NX3300
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • External Mic Jack
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
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