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Olympus E-M10 III vs Sony A290

Portability
80
Imaging
55
Features
75
Overall
63
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Olympus E-M10 III vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Olympus E-M10 III
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 410g - 122 x 84 x 50mm
  • Announced August 2017
  • Old Model is Olympus E-M10 II
  • New Model is Olympus E-M10 IV
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
  • Introduced June 2010
  • Replaced the Sony A230
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M10 III vs Sony A290 Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Olympus E-M10 III and Sony A290, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the E-M10 III (16MP) and the A290 (14MP) is relatively close but the E-M10 III (Four Thirds) and A290 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor size.

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The E-M10 III was revealed 7 years later than the A290 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M10 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving straight to a full comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the E-M10 III grades vs the A290 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M10 III over the Sony A290

 E-M10 III A290 
IntroducedAugust 2017June 2010Fresher by 88 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1040k230kCrisper screen (+810k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Olympus E-M10 III

 A290 E-M10 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M10 III and Sony A290

 E-M10 III A290 
Manual focus More precise focus
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Olympus E-M10 III vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry your camera, you will have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M10 III has got physical measurements of 122mm x 84mm x 50mm (4.8" x 3.3" x 2.0") along with a weight of 410 grams (0.90 lbs) whilst the Sony A290 has measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

See the Olympus E-M10 III and Sony A290 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Here is a front view scale comparison of the E-M10 III versus the A290.

Olympus E-M10 III vs Sony A290 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M10 III and A290 is 80 and 66 respectively.

Olympus E-M10 III vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M10 III vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing merely by looking through technical specs. The graphic underneath may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M10 III and A290.

As you can tell, both of these cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-M10 III with its smaller sensor will make achieving shallower DOF more challenging and the Olympus E-M10 III will provide you with extra detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The fresher E-M10 III will have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M10 III vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M10 III vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M10 III vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M10 III Portrait photography advice
Sony A290 Portrait photography advice
73
focusing manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focus
supports RAW files
65
you can focus manually
decent MP (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
no liveview feature
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-M10 III
Street photography with Sony A290
77
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
has touch focus
above average high ISO (25,600)
heavier than others in class (410 grams)
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M10 III Sports photography features
Sony A290 Sports photography features
69
quiet mode (1/16,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
no phase detect auto focus
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
no liveview feature
max fps low (3.0 fps)
bad battery life (290 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M10 III Travel photography advice
Sony A290 Travel photography advice
67
has touch focus
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
heavier than others in class (410 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
53
decent MP (14MP)
has built in flash
no Timelapse mode
bad battery life (290 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M10 III Landscape photography highlights
Sony A290 Landscape photography highlights
80
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
58
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen is small (2.7")
no liveview feature
bad battery life (290 CIPA)
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-M10 III
Vlogging with Sony A290
32
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of external mic socket
heavier than others in class (410g)
9
can't record video
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Olympus E-M10 III vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M10 III and Sony A290
 Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IIISony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2017-08-31 2010-06-09
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VIII Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 25600 3200
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Minimum enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 121 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 107 143
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 1,040 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.62x 0.55x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shutter speed 8.6 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.80 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, redeye, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, redeye slow sync, fill-in, manual, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM -
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 410 gr (0.90 lbs) 549 gr (1.21 lbs)
Physical dimensions 122 x 84 x 50mm (4.8" x 3.3" x 2.0") 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 330 shots 290 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-50 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I/II supported) Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Storage slots One One
Launch price $650 $600