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Olympus E-300 vs Sony A290

Portability
67
Imaging
41
Features
31
Overall
37
Olympus E-300 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Olympus E-300 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Olympus E-300
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 400 (Increase to 1600)
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 624g - 147 x 85 x 64mm
  • Revealed January 2005
  • Alternative Name is EVOLT E-300
  • New Model is Olympus E-330
Sony A290
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Released June 2010
  • Old Model is Sony A230
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-300 vs Sony A290 Overview

Lets look a little more in depth at the Olympus E-300 versus Sony A290, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. There is a significant difference among the sensor resolutions of the E-300 (8MP) and A290 (14MP) and the E-300 (Four Thirds) and A290 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-300 was revealed 6 years prior to the A290 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-300 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going through a in-depth comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the E-300 grades vs the A290 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-300 over the Sony A290

 E-300 A290 

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Olympus E-300

 A290 E-300 
ReleasedJune 2010January 2005More modern by 65 months
Display dimension2.7"1.8"Larger display (+0.9")
Display resolution230k134kClearer display (+96k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-300 and Sony A290

 E-300 A290 
Manual focus More precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Olympus E-300 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry around your camera, you're going to have to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-300 offers external measurements of 147mm x 85mm x 64mm (5.8" x 3.3" x 2.5") with a weight of 624 grams (1.38 lbs) whilst the Sony A290 has measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") having a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-300 versus Sony A290 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the E-300 against the A290.

Olympus E-300 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the E-300 and A290 is 67 and 66 respectively.

Olympus E-300 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-300 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be hard to envision the gap in sensor sizes simply by going through specifications. The picture below should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the E-300 and A290.

To sum up, both cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-300 with its smaller sensor will make getting shallow depth of field tougher and the Sony A290 will show extra detail because of its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop images much more aggressively. The more aged E-300 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-300 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-300 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-300 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-300 Portrait photography info
Sony A290 Portrait photography info
48
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
does not have liveview
resolution not great (8MP)
65
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
no liveview feature
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-300 Street photography features
Sony A290 Street photography features
51
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
max ISO too low (400)
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-300 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A290 as a Sports photography camera
37
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports phase detect AF
does not have liveview
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (8MP)
55
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
terrible battery pack (290 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-300 Travel photography factors
Sony A290 Travel photography factors
45
has built in flash
no Time Lapse function
resolution not great (8MP)
display is not selfie friendly
53
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
terrible battery pack (290 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-300
Landscape photography with Sony A290
43
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
tiny screen (1.8 inches)
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (8 megapixels)
max ISO too low (400)
no Time Lapse function
58
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no liveview feature
terrible battery pack (290 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-300 Vlogging advice
Sony A290 Vlogging advice
9
lack of video recording
9
lack of video recording
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Olympus E-300 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-300 and Sony A290
 Olympus E-300Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus E-300 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Otherwise known as EVOLT E-300 -
Type Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2005-01-10 2010-06-09
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 8 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3264 x 2448 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 400 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO 1600 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 3 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 45 143
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 1.8" 2.7"
Screen resolution 134 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Maximum video resolution None None
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 624 grams (1.38 lbs) 549 grams (1.21 lbs)
Dimensions 147 x 85 x 64mm (5.8" x 3.3" x 2.5") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 66
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.5
DXO Low light rating not tested 615
Other
Battery life - 290 shots
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II) Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $800 $600