• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 125.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
  • Samsung ST72
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:    
General
Model Number: DSC-W290 ST72
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Ultra Compact Ultra Compact
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $249.00 $119.99
Street Price:   $179.00
Date Available: 2009-04-01 2013-03-30
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 6.1 oz (174 g)
includes batteries
3.8 oz (108 g)
Size: 3.8 x 2.3 x 0.9 in.
(98 x 57 x 23 mm)
3.7 x 2.3 x 0.7 in.
(94 x 58 x 18 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CCD CCD
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Super HAD  
Effective Megapixels: 12.1 16.1
Sensor Format: 1/2.3 inch 1/2.3 inch
Sensor size: 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm) 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.54 microns 1.34 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a n/a
Aspect Ratio: 4:3, 3:2 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG  
Anti Aliasing Filter:    
Self-Cleaning: No No
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score:    
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):    
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):    
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):    
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4000 x 3000 (12.0 MP, 4:3),
4000 x 2672 (10.7 MP, 3:2),
4000 x 2248 (9.0 MP, 16:9),
3264 x 2448 (8.0 MP, 4:3),
2592 x 1944 (5.0 MP, 4:3),
2048 x 1536 (3.1 MP, 4:3),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
4608 x 3456 (15.9 MP, 4:3),
4608 x 3072 (14.2 MP, 3:2),
4608 x 2592 (11.9 MP, 16:9),
3648 x 2736 (10.0 MP, 4:3),
2592 x 1944 (5.0 MP, 4:3),
1984 x 1488 (3.0 MP, 4:3),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
1024 x 768 (0.8 MP, 4:3)
Image File Format: JPEG JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 1.8 n/a
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 640x480 (30/​16.6)
320x240 (8.3)
1280x720 (30p/​15p)
640x480 (30p/​15p)
320x240 (30p/​15p)
Movie File Format: MPEG4 AVI (Motion JPEG) with monaural sound
Composite Video Out: Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a
HD Video Out: Yes
HD Video Connection: Component
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a n/a
Lens: Carl Zeiss, 9 elements in 7 groups including 1 ED, 3 aspherical elements Samsung Zoom
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 28 - 140mm 25 - 125mm
Focal Length (actual): 5 - 25mm 4.5 - 22.5mm
Zoom Ratio: 5.00x 5.00x
Aperture Range: f/3.3 (wide) / f/5.2 (tele) - f/13 f/2.5 (wide) / f/6.3 (tele) - ???
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 10 cm to Infinity
3.9 in to Infinity
80 cm to Infinity
31.5 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 10 cm to Infinity
3.9 in to Infinity
5 - 80 cm
2.0 - 31.5 in
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes No
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: 2x Precision, up to 31x Smart Zoom Up to 5x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 9-point Contrast Detection Contrast Detection: Multi AF, Centre AF, Face Detection AF, Object Tracking AF, Smart Face Recognition AF
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes No
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: LCD LCD
Viewfinder Type:    
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):    
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):    
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: No No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 230,000 dots  
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 8.0x  
Top Deck Display:
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):    
Minimum ISO (native):    
ISO Settings: Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200
Auto ISO Mode: Yes No
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent 1/2/3, Incandescent, Flash, Underwater (4) Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent_H, Fluorescent_L, Tungsten, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/1600 - 2 sec 1/2000 - 8 sec
Bulb Mode: No No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Multi-pattern, Center-weighted, Spot Multi, Spot, Centre Weighted, Face Detection AE
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: No No
Shutter Priority: No No
Full Manual Exposure: No No
Creative Exposure Modes: Easy, High Sensitivity, Twilight, Twilight portrait, Landscape, Softsnap, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Sports, Underwater, Gourmet TBA
Self Timer: 10 or 2 seconds 2, 10, Double seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, On, Slow Synch, Off Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash Off, Red-eye fix
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: Auto ISO: 0.2m - 3.0m (W), 0.5m - 1.9m (T) TBA
Max Flash Sync:    
Flash Exposure Compensation:    
External Flash Connection: n/a n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: MS Duo / MS PRO Duo microSD / microSDHC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: No
Uncompressed Format:    
Movie File Format: MPEG4 AVI (Motion JPEG) with monaural sound
Included Memory: 11.0 MB  
Included Memory Type: Internal  
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes No
Remote Control: No
Remote Control Type:    
Connections (extended): Multi-jack  
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution):    
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):    
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press?
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 1.8  
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 100  
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid):    
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus):    
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused):    
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time:    
Play -> Record Time:    
Flash cycle time, full power:    
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 300 shots  
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary Info LITHIUM Proprietary BP70A
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Sony CD-ROM iLauncher
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Optical SteadyShot image stabilization, Smile Shutter, Intelligent Scene Recognition, Dynamic Range Optimizer, In-camera Retouching, HD Slide Show with music. Available in silver, black, blue and bronze. Vivid Live Panorama Shot, mart Filters and Magic Frame. Available in black, White, Red or Plum.