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Olympus FE-45 vs Sony A290

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
14
Overall
25
Olympus FE-45 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Olympus FE-45 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Olympus FE-45
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 36-108mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 94 x 62 x 23mm
  • Launched January 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
  • Replaced the Sony A230
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Olympus FE-45 vs Sony A290 Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Olympus FE-45 and Sony A290, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Olympus and Sony. There exists a significant gap between the sensor resolutions of the FE-45 (10MP) and A290 (14MP) and the FE-45 (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) offer different sensor dimensions.

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The FE-45 was revealed 17 months before the A290 making them a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus FE-45 being a Compact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short summation of how the FE-45 grades against the A290 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus FE-45 over the Sony A290

 FE-45 A290 

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Olympus FE-45

 A290 FE-45 
RevealedJune 2010January 2009Newer by 17 months
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Display dimensions2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Olympus FE-45 and Sony A290

 FE-45 A290 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Olympus FE-45 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus FE-45 enjoys external measurements of 94mm x 62mm x 23mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") along with a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs) while the Sony A290 has dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus FE-45 and Sony A290 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are using during that time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the FE-45 compared to the A290.

Olympus FE-45 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FE-45 and A290 is 95 and 66 respectively.

Olympus FE-45 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Olympus FE-45 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is tough to imagine the gap between sensor dimensions just by looking at specs. The pic here should offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the FE-45 and A290.

All in all, both of the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The FE-45 with its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF tougher and the Sony A290 will give extra detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop images more aggressively. The more aged FE-45 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus FE-45 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Olympus FE-45 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus FE-45 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus FE-45
Portrait photography with Sony A290
19
lack of manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
65
you can focus manually
MP count good (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect focus
supports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Olympus FE-45 as a Street photography camera
Sony A290 as a Street photography camera
56
image stabilization (Digital)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus FE-45
Sports photography with Sony A290
26
image stabilization (Digital)
no shutter priority
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
terrible battery pack (290 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus FE-45 Travel photography factors
Sony A290 Travel photography factors
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse mode
MP count low (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
53
MP count good (14MP)
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
terrible battery pack (290 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus FE-45 Landscape photography factors
Sony A290 Landscape photography factors
27
image stabilization (Digital)
lack of manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.5 inches)
no manual control
MP count low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
58
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
doesn't have liveview
terrible battery pack (290 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus FE-45
Vlogging with Sony A290
25
image stabilization (Digital)
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have microphone port
9
no video shooting
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Olympus FE-45 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus FE-45 and Sony A290
 Olympus FE-45Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model Olympus FE-45 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2009-01-07 2010-06-09
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 36-108mm (3.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Available lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate - 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off, On Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) -
Max video resolution 640x480 None
Video file 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 142 gr (0.31 lbs) 549 gr (1.21 lbs)
Physical dimensions 94 x 62 x 23mm (3.7" x 2.4" 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 photographs
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage xD-Picture Card, microSD, internal Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $130 $600