Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A290
67 Imaging
62 Features
96 Overall
75
66 Imaging
54 Features
47 Overall
51
Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A290 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 200 - 25600
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 4096 x 2160 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 580g - 134 x 91 x 69mm
- Released February 2020
- Superseded the Olympus E-M1 II
(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
- Announced June 2010
- Replaced the Sony A230
Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A290 Overview
Below is a comprehensive review of the Olympus E-M1 III and Sony A290, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Olympus and Sony. There is a noticeable difference between the image resolutions of the E-M1 III (20MP) and A290 (14MP) and the E-M1 III (Four Thirds) and A290 (APS-C) use different sensor size.
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsThe E-M1 III was introduced 9 years later than the A290 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M1 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before delving in to a detailed comparison, below is a short introduction of how the E-M1 III grades against the A290 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A290 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III & Sony Alpha DSLR-A290. The whole galleries are provided at Olympus E-M1 III Gallery & Sony A290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 III over the Sony A290
E-M1 III | A290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | February 2020 | June 2010 | More recent by 118 months | |
Display type | Fully Articulated | Fixed | Fully Articulating display | |
Display sizing | 3" | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") | |
Display resolution | 1037k | 230k | Clearer display (+807k dot) | |
Selfie screen | Easy selfies | |||
Touch friendly display | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Olympus E-M1 III
A290 | E-M1 III |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-M1 III and Sony A290
E-M1 III | A290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | More precise focus |
Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison
If you're intending to lug around your camera frequently, you have to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus E-M1 III has external measurements of 134mm x 91mm x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") along with a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) whilst the Sony A290 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") and a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).
See the Olympus E-M1 III and Sony A290 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have at the time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the E-M1 III compared to the A290.
Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 III and A290 is 67 and 66 respectively.
Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, its hard to imagine the gap between sensor measurements simply by checking a spec sheet. The visual underneath will help give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M1 III and A290.
Clearly, both of the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The E-M1 III using its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF more difficult and the Olympus E-M1 III will give more detail using its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The more modern E-M1 III provides a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.
Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A290 Specifications
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Sony |
Model | Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 |
Class | Pro Mirrorless | Entry-Level DSLR |
Released | 2020-02-11 | 2010-06-09 |
Physical type | SLR-style mirrorless | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | TruePic IX | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 17.4 x 13mm | 23.5 x 15.7mm |
Sensor surface area | 226.2mm² | 369.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 20 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 5184 x 3888 | 4592 x 3056 |
Maximum native ISO | 25600 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Lowest enhanced ISO | 64 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | 121 | 9 |
Cross focus points | 121 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Amount of lenses | 107 | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3" | 2.7" |
Resolution of display | 1,037k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder resolution | 2,360k dots | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.74x | 0.55x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60 seconds | 30 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Fastest quiet shutter speed | 1/32000 seconds | - |
Continuous shutter rate | 60.0 frames/s | 3.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 10.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash options | Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/250 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM | - |
Maximum video resolution | 4096x2160 | None |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | - |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 580 gr (1.28 pounds) | 549 gr (1.21 pounds) |
Dimensions | 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") | 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 | 420 photos | 290 photos |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | BLH-1 | NP-FH50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II on first slot) | Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC |
Card slots | Two | Single |
Retail pricing | $1,800 | $600 |