Olympus E-P1 vs Sony W290
86 Imaging
46 Features
42 Overall
44


94 Imaging
34 Features
28 Overall
31
Olympus E-P1 vs Sony W290 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 355g - 121 x 70 x 36mm
- Released July 2009
- Replacement is Olympus E-P2
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-140mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
- 167g - 98 x 57 x 23mm
- Announced February 2009

Olympus E-P1 vs Sony W290 Overview
The following is a in depth comparison of the Olympus E-P1 and Sony W290, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the E-P1 (12MP) and the W290 (12MP) is relatively comparable but the E-P1 (Four Thirds) and W290 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor size.

The E-P1 was brought out 6 months after the W290 which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-P1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony W290 being a Compact camera.
Before getting in to a in-depth comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the E-P1 scores versus the W290 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Olympus E-P1 vs Sony W290 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus PEN E-P1 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290. The entire galleries are provided at Olympus E-P1 Gallery and Sony W290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-P1 over the Sony W290
E-P1 | W290 |
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Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Olympus E-P1
W290 | E-P1 |
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Common features in the Olympus E-P1 and Sony W290
E-P1 | W290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | July 2009 | ![]() | February 2009 | Same generation |
Focus manually | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen size |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Equal screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly screen |
Olympus E-P1 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison
For those who are looking to travel with your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-P1 enjoys outside dimensions of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") having a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs) whilst the Sony W290 has measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Compare the Olympus E-P1 and Sony W290 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the E-P1 versus the W290.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the E-P1 and W290 is 86 and 94 respectively.

Olympus E-P1 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison
Often, it can be difficult to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by checking out a spec sheet. The picture below will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-P1 and W290.
Clearly, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact resolution albeit not the same sensor dimensions. The E-P1 contains the bigger sensor which should make obtaining shallow DOF easier.

Olympus E-P1 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P1 vs Sony W290 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-P1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Sony |
Model type | Olympus PEN E-P1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Small Sensor Compact |
Released | 2009-07-29 | 2009-02-17 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | TruePic V | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | - | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
Largest aperture | - | f/3.3-5.2 |
Macro focusing range | - | 10cm |
Amount of lenses | 107 | - |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display technology | HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60s | 2s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shutter speed | 3.0fps | 2.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 3.90 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/180s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 355g (0.78 lbs) | 167g (0.37 lbs) |
Dimensions | 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") | 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 55 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.4 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.4 | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | 536 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 300 images | - |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | BLS-1 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC card | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at release | $182 | $230 |