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Olympus E-600 vs Sony A290

Portability
71
Imaging
47
Features
50
Overall
48
Olympus E-600 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Olympus E-600 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Olympus E-600
(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
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
  • 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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Reasons to pick Olympus E-600 over the Sony A290

 E-600 A290 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Olympus E-600

 A290 E-600 
RevealedJune 2010August 2009Newer by 9 months

Common features in the Olympus E-600 and Sony A290

 E-600 A290 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display dimension2.7"2.7"Identical display dimensions
Display resolution230k230kSame 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Olympus E-600 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the E-600 and A290 is 71 and 66 respectively.

Olympus E-600 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

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.

Olympus E-600 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-600 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-600 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-600 Portrait photography details
Sony A290 Portrait photography details
60
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detect focus
saves RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
65
focusing manually
decent MP (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
no liveview
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-600
Street photography with Sony A290
76
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-600 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A290 as a Sports photography camera
48
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports phase detect auto focus
max frames per second low (4.0 frames per second)
low MP (12 megapixels)
terrible battery (500 CIPA)
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
no liveview
max fps low (3.0 frames per second)
not so great battery power (290 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-600 Travel photography info
Sony A290 Travel photography info
53
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
no Time Lapse function
terrible battery (500 per charge)
low MP (12MP)
53
decent MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
no Time Lapse mode
not so great battery power (290 per charge)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-600 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A290 Landscape photography highlights
53
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
tiny screen (2.7")
low MP (12 megapixels)
terrible battery (500 CIPA)
no Time Lapse function
58
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
small screen (2.7 inches)
no liveview
not so great battery power (290 CIPA)
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-600
Vlogging with Sony A290
18
no video shooting
9
no video
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Olympus E-600 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-600 and Sony A290
 Olympus E-600Sony 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