Olympus E-P5 vs. Sony A290: An In-Depth Comparison Guide for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing the right camera often feels like navigating a maze - the myriad technical specs, mixed user reviews, and diverse creative needs can cloud your decision. Today, we take a hands-on, expert-driven look at two distinct entry-level cameras: the Olympus PEN E-P5 mirrorless and the Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 DSLR. While these cameras belong to different design philosophies and were launched in different years, they still appeal to photographers who want capable gear without breaking the bank.

Drawing on years of testing over a thousand models, we’ll dissect the specs, real-world performance, and value proposition of each. Whether you’re a portrait shooter, landscape lover, wildlife fan, or video content creator, this guide will illuminate which camera thrives in your chosen field and why.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Handling

When it comes to how a camera feels in your hands, subtle differences define your shooting comfort and creativity flow.

• Olympus E-P5 carries a rangefinder-style mirrorless design. This compact, lightweight body weighs just 420 grams and measures 122x69x37 mm.
• Sony A290 is a compact DSLR, heavier at 549 grams, and larger at 128x97x86 mm, reflecting its bulkier prism and mirror mechanism.

Ergonomics: The E-P5 boasts a tilting 3-inch capacitive touchscreen and minimalist controls. The compact design makes it ideal for travel and street shooting, especially when paired with smaller Micro Four Thirds lenses. The Sony’s deeper grip suits users who prefer the traditional DSLR feel and larger lenses, but its fixed, smaller 2.7-inch non-touch LCD offers less flexibility.

Taking into account body size alongside weight and control layout, the Olympus if you prize portability; the Sony if you want the traditional DSLR experience. Let’s take a closer look at their control ergonomics.

The Olympus layout favors dials and quick access for shutter speed and aperture, responsiveness that appeals to manual shooters. Sony’s DSLR includes dedicated buttons for exposure modes and a more traditional mode dial, which beginners often find easier to navigate.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Size Versus Resolution

Image quality hinges largely on sensor technology, size, resolution, and processing power. Here’s how the two stack up:

Technical insights:

• The Olympus E-P5’s 16MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor benefits from newer sensor technology typical of mirrorless cameras - offering faster readouts, better high-ISO performance, and wider dynamic range. Despite its smaller size compared to APS-C, the sensor delivers excellent color depth and noise control.

• The Sony A290 uses a CCD APS-C sensor, older technology by today’s standards, with lower max ISO and dynamic range capabilities. While the larger APS-C sensor generally collects more light, the CCD sensor is often less efficient at high sensitivities, limiting its usability in low-light or fast-action scenarios.

What does this mean for your images?

• If you shoot in varied lighting conditions or need cleaner images at higher ISO (night shots, event photography), Olympus leads.

• For maximum resolution and shallow depth of field effects, APS-C typically has advantages but here the Sony’s lower resolution lessens that edge.

• Dynamic range contributes to preserving details in shadows and highlights - the Olympus offers slightly more headroom.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

The difference between contrast-detection AF (Olympus) and phase-detection AF (Sony) influences autofocus speed and subject tracking significantly.

The Olympus E-P5 applies contrast-detection autofocus with 35 focus points. Being a mirrorless, it offers live view autofocus directly on the sensor, including face detection and decent tracking capabilities. The 9 fps burst rate is notably fast for an entry-level camera, enhancing chances to capture wildlife or sports action.

The Sony A290 features 9 phase-detection points integrated in the DSLR’s mirror system but lacks live view autofocus capability. Its 3 fps burst is more modest for fast subjects, and autofocus tracking is less sophisticated by modern standards.

Practical takeaway:

• If you want to shoot moving subjects - sports, wildlife, kids - Olympus’s faster AF with tracking and 9 fps shooting provides a clear advantage.

• For portraits and landscapes where autofocus speed is less critical, Sony’s phase-detection remains reliable.

Build Quality and Environmental Sealing

Neither camera offers environmental sealing or any rugged certifications such as dust or splash-proofing. Their bodies are designed primarily for casual or controlled environment use.

The Olympus’s metal chassis imparts a more solid, premium feel compared to Sony’s plastic construction. If you shoot outdoors in adverse weather, you’ll want to consider protective covers or coatings.

LCD and Viewfinder Experience

Your shooting interface profoundly affects how easily you can compose and review images.

• Olympus employs a 3-inch tilting, capacitive touchscreen with 1037k dots, allowing intuitive focus point selection, menu navigation, and image review.

• Sony features a fixed 2.7-inch LCD at 230k dots, with no touchscreen capabilities, offering far less flexibility.

Regarding viewfinders:

• Olympus doesn’t include a built-in electronic viewfinder (optional external EVF accessories are available).

• Sony has a traditional optical pentamirror viewfinder with 95% coverage and 0.55x magnification.

User experience notes:

• The Olympus touchscreen is a joy for quick adjustments and focus control on the go, especially valuable in street, travel, or macro photography.

• Sony’s optical viewfinder allows composing in bright sunlight without screen glare, appreciated by DSLR purists.

If you frequently shoot outdoors in bright conditions, Sony’s viewfinder remains useful; but for general versatility and ease of use, Olympus’s display wins.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Your lenses define your creative options. Both systems offer access to a broad range, but with important differences.

The Olympus uses the hugely popular and versatile Micro Four Thirds mount. Its compact lenses suit travelers and street photographers, while high-quality zooms and primes cover virtually every genre. Smaller sensor size means a 2.1x crop factor, influencing your field of view.

Sony’s A290 uses the A-mount, which includes legacy Minolta lenses as well as newer autofocus lenses. Given its 1.5x crop factor APS-C sensor, you get a somewhat shallower depth of field potential and more telephoto reach for wildlife or sports.

If you want a lightweight, compact system with a rich lens catalog optimized for mirrorless, Olympus shines. If you’re invested in Sony/Minolta lenses or plan to mix older glass, Sony gives more backward compatibility.

Battery Life and Storage

Entry-level shooters appreciate reliability during long days of shooting.

The Olympus has a slight edge in battery efficiency and modern connectivity with built-in Wi-Fi. Sony lacks wireless features, limiting tethering or image transfer ease.

Video Features Comparison

Video is often overlooked in entry-level cameras but can be decisive for hybrid photo-video creators.

The Olympus supports 1080p video at a smooth 30fps, making it suitable for casual video capture, vlogging, or short interviews. It lacks external mic/headphone ports but benefits from its 5-axis image stabilization, reducing handheld shake.

Sony A290 does not offer video recording capabilities, focusing solely on still imaging.

Real-World Performance: Sample Images and Use Cases

Technical data is vital, but seeing real output and testing in various conditions proves reliability. Here’s a gallery showcasing landscapes, portraits, street scenes, and wildlife taken with both cameras.

Olympus E P5 front Olympus E P5 screen back Sony A290 screen back

Observations:

• Olympus E-P5 images have cleaner high ISO noise, especially noticeable in night and indoor shots.
• Skin tones rendered by the Olympus appear more natural and pleasing, aided by its color depth.
• Sony’s images exhibit a classic DSLR bokeh for portraits but show more noise in shadows.
• The E-P5’s faster burst rate better captures bird flight and sports action.

Performance across Photography Genres

Different genres impose unique demands from gear. Here’s where each camera excels or falters.

Overall Performance and Value for Money

Considering all factors, here’s a distillation of their overall capabilities.

Our Recommendations for Different Users

If you are:

• A traveler or street photographer who values lightweight gear and silent shooting, the Olympus E-P5’s compact body and quick controls make it a strong companion.

• An enthusiast portrait shooter seeking smooth skin tones and subject tracking at moderate budgets, Olympus is better for subtle bokeh and face detection autofocus.

• A wildlife or sports photographer needing faster burst rates and tracking autofocus, Olympus provides an advantage with 9 fps, but neither is a pro-grade sports camera; consider newer models if fast action is critical.

• A video creator who wants decent 1080p capture from an entry-level camera, Olympus E-P5 is your pick, given Sony’s lack of video ability here.

• A beginner DSLR user or someone wanting a traditional viewfinder experience and legacy lens compatibility, Sony A290 still holds nostalgic value and solid imaging basics.

• Someone budget-conscious and keen on Wi-Fi sharing will appreciate Olympus’s modern connectivity.

• You want rugged build and weather sealing neither excels here; consider other options.

Final Thoughts

Both the Olympus PEN E-P5 and Sony Alpha A290 were designed as accessible entry points into photography but cater to different photographic lifestyles:

• The Olympus E-P5 excels as a versatile mirrorless powerhouse, blending compactness, an advanced sensor system, and usability features that hold up even with today’s expectations. Its strengths in autofocus, video, and image stabilization make it a strong creative tool for enthusiasts stepping into more dynamic shooting.

• The Sony A290 remains a classic DSLR offering solid, straightforward imaging, especially suited for users who prefer optical viewfinders and traditional DSLR ergonomics, but its aging CCD sensor and limited ISO performance restrict creative flexibility in low light and video.

By grounding your choice on the specific genres you shoot and whether you prioritize portability, autofocus speed, or video features, you can confidently find the camera that supports your creative journey. Wherever you land, both cameras underscore the value of investing in quality glass and hands-on experimentation.

Don’t hesitate to visit a local camera store or rent the models to feel the difference firsthand - nothing beats real use when settling on your ideal photographic partner.

Happy shooting!

We hope this detailed comparison clarifies the strengths and limitations of the Olympus E-P5 and Sony A290 for your photography journey. Explore, create, and capture your world with confidence and creativity.