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Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Sony A290

Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
27
Overall
31
Olympus SP-600 UZ front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Olympus SP-600 UZ
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-420mm (F3.5-5.4) lens
  • 455g - 110 x 90 x 91mm
  • Introduced February 2010
  • Replaced the Olympus SP-590 UZ
  • Newer Model is Olympus SP-610UZ
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
  • Launched June 2010
  • Superseded the Sony A230
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Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Sony A290 Overview

Let's take a more detailed look at the Olympus SP-600 UZ versus Sony A290, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the SP-600 UZ (12MP) and the A290 (14MP) is fairly well matched but the SP-600 UZ (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor dimensions.

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The SP-600 UZ was introduced 4 months prior to the A290 and they are of a similar generation. The two cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SP-600 UZ being a Compact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting into a in-depth comparison, here is a short overview of how the SP-600 UZ grades vs the A290 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-600 UZ over the Sony A290

 SP-600 UZ A290 

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Olympus SP-600 UZ

 A290 SP-600 UZ 

Common features in the Olympus SP-600 UZ and Sony A290

 SP-600 UZ A290 
LaunchedFebruary 2010June 2010Similar generation
Manually focus More accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size2.7"2.7"Same display sizing
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus SP-600 UZ comes with outer measurements of 110mm x 90mm x 91mm (4.3" x 3.5" x 3.6") along with a weight of 455 grams (1.00 lbs) while the Sony A290 has measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

See the Olympus SP-600 UZ versus Sony A290 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the SP-600 UZ and the A290.

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Sony A290 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SP-600 UZ and A290 is 69 and 66 respectively.

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's tough to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by looking at a spec sheet. The pic below might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the SP-600 UZ and A290.

Clearly, each of these cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The SP-600 UZ using its tinier sensor will make shooting bokeh tougher and the Sony A290 will give you greater detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics way more aggressively.

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-600 UZ as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A290 as a Portrait photography camera
27
manual focus
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
65
manual focus
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-600 UZ as a Street photography camera
Sony A290 as a Street photography camera
36
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-600 UZ as a Sports photography camera
Sony A290 as a Sports photography camera
31
incredible zoom range (28-420mm 15.0 x zoom)
includes tracking autofocus
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
max fps low (3.0 fps)
terrible battery life (290 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-600 UZ Travel photography factors
Sony A290 Travel photography factors
51
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
great zoom (420mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
53
megapixel count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse mode
terrible battery life (290 shots)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-600 UZ as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A290 as a Landscape photography camera
29
manual focus
really wide (28mm)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
58
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
doesn't have liveview
terrible battery life (290 per charge)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-600 UZ Vlogging details
Sony A290 Vlogging details
20
really wide (28mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic jack
9
can't record video
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Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-600 UZ and Sony A290
 Olympus SP-600 UZSony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus SP-600 UZ Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2010-02-02 2010-06-09
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3968 x 2976 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 143 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 28-420mm (15.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.4 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Available lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 1/2 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.10 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video format H.264 -
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 455 gr (1.00 pounds) 549 gr (1.21 pounds)
Physical dimensions 110 x 90 x 91mm (4.3" x 3.5" x 3.6") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 66
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.5
DXO Low light rating not tested 615
Other
Battery life - 290 photographs
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $189 $600