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Olympus FE-4000 vs Sony A290

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27
Olympus FE-4000 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Olympus FE-4000 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Olympus FE-4000
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 26-105mm (F2.6-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Introduced July 2009
  • Additionally referred to as X-925
Sony A290
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Released June 2010
  • Replaced the Sony A230
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Olympus FE-4000 vs Sony A290 Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Olympus FE-4000 and Sony A290, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the FE-4000 (12MP) and the A290 (14MP) is relatively comparable but the FE-4000 (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor sizing.

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The FE-4000 was brought out 10 months prior to the A290 which means that they are of a similar generation. The two cameras feature different body design with the Olympus FE-4000 being a Compact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple view of how the FE-4000 matches up versus the A290 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus FE-4000 over the Sony A290

 FE-4000 A290 

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Olympus FE-4000

 A290 FE-4000 
ReleasedJune 2010July 2009Newer by 10 months
Focus manually Very exact focusing

Common features in the Olympus FE-4000 and Sony A290

 FE-4000 A290 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size2.7"2.7"Same screen measurement
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Olympus FE-4000 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to travel with your camera, you are going to need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus FE-4000 has physical measurements of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) and the Sony A290 has proportions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") along with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus FE-4000 and 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 dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the FE-4000 against the A290.

Olympus FE-4000 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FE-4000 and A290 is 95 and 66 respectively.

Olympus FE-4000 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Olympus FE-4000 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions just by checking out specs. The image underneath may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the FE-4000 and A290.

All in all, both the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The FE-4000 because of its smaller sensor will make getting shallower DOF trickier and the Sony A290 will produce more detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more aged FE-4000 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus FE-4000 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Olympus FE-4000 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus FE-4000 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus FE-4000 Portrait photography info
Sony A290 Portrait photography info
21
no manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
65
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
no liveview feature
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Street Comparison

Olympus FE-4000 Street photography highlights
Sony A290 Street photography highlights
55
lighter than competition in class (136g)
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Olympus FE-4000 Sports photography factors
Sony A290 Sports photography factors
17
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
no liveview feature
slow frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
terrible battery life (290 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus FE-4000 Travel photography advice
Sony A290 Travel photography advice
62
lighter than competition in class (136g)
flash built-in
fairly wide (26mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.6)
53
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse mode
terrible battery life (290 per charge)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus FE-4000 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A290 as a Landscape photography camera
28
fairly wide (26mm)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.6)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
no image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse mode
58
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no liveview feature
terrible battery life (290 shots)
lack of Time Lapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus FE-4000 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A290 as a Vlogging camera
28
fairly wide (26mm)
lighter than competition in class (136g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.6)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone jack
9
no video
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Olympus FE-4000 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus FE-4000 and Sony A290
 Olympus FE-4000Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model Olympus FE-4000 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Otherwise known as X-925 -
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2009-07-22 2010-06-09
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic III Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3968 x 2976 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 26-105mm (4.0x) -
Max aperture f/2.6-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 3cm -
Amount of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate - 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.00 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 640x480 None
Video format Motion JPEG -
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 136 gr (0.30 lbs) 549 gr (1.21 lbs)
Physical dimensions 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 66
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.5
DXO Low light score not tested 615
Other
Battery life - 290 photos
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Card slots One One
Price at release $130 $600