• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.5 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A290 advantages over Samsung NX Mini

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • 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 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Less shutter lag
    0.20 vs 0.35 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    18 vs 11 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Samsung NX Mini advantages over Sony DSLR-A290

  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 79 mm
    Thinner
  • More dots on screen
    461k 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
    20.5 vs 14.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.0 fps vs 2.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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

  • 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
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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

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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

Compare Sony DSLR-A290 vs Nikon D5000

Samsung NX Mini
Nikon D5000
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX Mini vs Nikon D5000

Compared to Canon T1i

Sony DSLR-A290
Canon T1i
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony DSLR-A290 vs Canon T1i

Samsung NX Mini
Canon T1i
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX Mini vs Canon T1i

Compared to Sony DSLR-A390

Sony DSLR-A290
Sony DSLR-A390
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $507
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony DSLR-A290 vs Sony DSLR-A390

Samsung NX Mini
Sony DSLR-A390
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $507
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX Mini vs Sony DSLR-A390

Compared to Nikon J4

Sony DSLR-A290
Nikon J4
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Sony DSLR-A290 vs Nikon J4

Samsung NX Mini
Nikon J4
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Higher-res screen

Compare Samsung NX Mini vs Nikon J4

Compared to Nikon J5

Sony DSLR-A290
Nikon J5
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Sony DSLR-A290 vs Nikon J5

Samsung NX Mini
Nikon J5
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Thinner
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compare Samsung NX Mini vs Nikon J5

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