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Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A290

Portability
67
Imaging
62
Features
96
Overall
75
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1 III
(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  • Superseded the Olympus E-M1 II
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
  • Announced June 2010
  • Replaced the Sony A230
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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.

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The 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.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 III over the Sony A290

 E-M1 III A290 
AnnouncedFebruary 2020June 2010More recent by 118 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1037k230kClearer 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A290 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Portrait photography information
Sony A290 Portrait photography information
77
focusing manually
good resolution (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
65
manual focus
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Street photography advice
Sony A290 Street photography advice
78
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
offers touch focus
environment proof
above average ISO range (25,600)
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Sports photography highlights
Sony A290 Sports photography highlights
81
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
quiet shutter (1/32,000s)
high max frames per second (60.0 frames per second)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames/s)
not so great battery life (290 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Travel photography features
Sony A290 Travel photography features
79
environment proof
connects via bluetooth
offers touch focus
good resolution (20MP)
selfie friendly display
53
megapixel count good (14MP)
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
not so great battery life (290 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Landscape photography features
Sony A290 Landscape photography features
81
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
no anti-alias filter
above average ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
two card slots
58
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
small screen (2.7 inches)
doesn't have liveview
not so great battery life (290 shots)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Vlogging details
Sony A290 Vlogging details
79
selfie friendly display
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect autofocus
high quality video (4096 x 2160 resolution)
includes microphone socket
9
no video
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 III and Sony A290
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIISony 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