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Olympus E-M10 vs Sony A290

Portability
82
Imaging
53
Features
73
Overall
61
Olympus OM-D E-M10 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Olympus E-M10 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Olympus E-M10
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 396g - 119 x 82 x 46mm
  • Launched March 2014
  • Replacement is Olympus E-M10 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
  • Revealed June 2010
  • Succeeded the Sony A230
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Olympus E-M10 vs Sony A290 Overview

The following is a in-depth review of the Olympus E-M10 versus Sony A290, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the E-M10 (16MP) and the A290 (14MP) is very close but the E-M10 (Four Thirds) and A290 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor sizing.

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The E-M10 was announced 3 years after the A290 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M10 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going through a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the E-M10 scores against the A290 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M10 over the Sony A290

 E-M10 A290 
RevealedMarch 2014June 2010Newer by 46 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1037k230kClearer display (+807k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Olympus E-M10

 A290 E-M10 

Common features in the Olympus E-M10 and Sony A290

 E-M10 A290 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Olympus E-M10 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus E-M10 features outer dimensions of 119mm x 82mm x 46mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 1.8") with a weight of 396 grams (0.87 lbs) whilst the Sony A290 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") having a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-M10 versus Sony A290 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the E-M10 and the A290.

Olympus E-M10 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the E-M10 and A290 is 82 and 66 respectively.

Olympus E-M10 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M10 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Often, its difficult to see the difference in sensor dimensions purely by viewing specs. The image underneath will offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M10 and A290.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-M10 having a smaller sensor will make getting bokeh tougher and the Olympus E-M10 will provide you with extra detail with its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop images far more aggressively. The younger E-M10 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-M10 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M10 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M10 Portrait photography information
Sony A290 Portrait photography information
71
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
65
you can focus manually
good resolution (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus E-M10 Street photography information
Sony A290 Street photography information
77
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
supports touch focus
good ISO range (25,600)
heavier than competition in class (396g)
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-M10
Sports photography with Sony A290
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
lacks phase detect AF
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
bad battery life (290 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M10 Travel photography highlights
Sony A290 Travel photography highlights
67
supports touch focus
decent megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
heavier than competition in class (396g)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
53
good resolution (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
no Timelapse function
bad battery life (290 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M10 Landscape photography factors
Sony A290 Landscape photography factors
79
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
58
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is small (2.7 inches)
doesn't have liveview
bad battery life (290 CIPA)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M10 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A290 as a Vlogging camera
33
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
missing mic jack
heavier than competition in class (396g)
9
no video recording
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Olympus E-M10 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M10 and Sony A290
 Olympus OM-D E-M10Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M10 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2014-03-18 2010-06-09
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VII Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 25600 3200
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 81 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 107 143
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 1,037k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 1,440k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x 0.55x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 8.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.80 m (ISO100) 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual(1/1(FULL)~1/64) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format H.264, Motion JPEG -
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 396 grams (0.87 pounds) 549 grams (1.21 pounds)
Dimensions 119 x 82 x 46mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 1.8") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 72 66
DXO Color Depth rating 22.8 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.3 11.5
DXO Low light rating 884 615
Other
Battery life 320 photographs 290 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (12 sec., 2 sec.,custom (Waiting time 1-30sec.,Shooting interval 0.5/1/2/3sec.,Number of shots 1-10)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $600 $600