Olympus E-600 vs Sony A290
71 Imaging
47 Features
50 Overall
48
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66 Imaging
54 Features
47 Overall
51
Olympus E-600 vs Sony A290 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 2.7" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 515g - 130 x 94 x 60mm
- Introduced August 2009
(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
- Revealed June 2010
- Succeeded the Sony A230
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Olympus E-600 vs Sony A290 Overview
The following is a extended analysis of the Olympus E-600 versus Sony A290, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by rivals Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the E-600 (12MP) and the A290 (14MP) is fairly well matched but the E-600 (Four Thirds) and A290 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor sizes.
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The E-600 was unveiled 9 months prior to the A290 and they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact SLR).
Before diving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the E-600 scores versus the A290 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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Olympus E-600 vs Sony A290 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus E-600 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A290. The full galleries are available at Olympus E-600 Gallery and Sony A290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-600 over the Sony A290
E-600 | A290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Olympus E-600
A290 | E-600 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | June 2010 | ![]() | August 2009 | Newer by 9 months |
Common features in the Olympus E-600 and Sony A290
E-600 | A290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial precise focus | ||
Display dimension | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.7" | Identical display dimensions |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Same display resolution |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Lacking Touch friendly display |
Olympus E-600 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison
When you are going to travel with your camera, you should take into account its weight and size. The Olympus E-600 has exterior measurements of 130mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.4") and a weight of 515 grams (1.14 lbs) whilst the Sony A290 has specifications of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") having a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).
Look at the Olympus E-600 versus Sony A290 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are employing during that time. Here is the front view size comparison of the E-600 versus the A290.
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Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the E-600 and A290 is 71 and 66 respectively.
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Olympus E-600 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it can be tough to see the contrast between sensor dimensions just by looking at specs. The image underneath may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the E-600 and A290.
All in all, each of the cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-600 using its tinier sensor will make getting shallow DOF harder and the Sony A290 will give extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop images somewhat more aggressively. The more aged E-600 is going to be behind in sensor tech.
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Olympus E-600 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Olympus E-600 vs Sony A290 Specifications
Olympus E-600 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Sony |
Model type | Olympus E-600 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 |
Class | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Introduced | 2009-08-30 | 2010-06-09 |
Physical type | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | TruePic III+ | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | 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 | 12 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4592 x 3056 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 7 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Micro Four Thirds | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Amount of lenses | 45 | 143 |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 2.7 inch | 2.7 inch |
Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen technology | HyperCrystal LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95% | 95% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.48x | 0.55x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 60s | 30s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 4.0fps | 3.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m | 10.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Front curtain, Rear curtain, Fill-in, Manual | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/180s | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Highest video resolution | None | None |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 515g (1.14 lbs) | 549g (1.21 lbs) |
Dimensions | 130 x 94 x 60mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.4") | 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 55 | 66 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.5 | 22.6 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.3 | 11.5 |
DXO Low light rating | 541 | 615 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 500 pictures | 290 pictures |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | BLS-1 | NP-FH50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card | Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at launch | $0 | $600 |