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Olympus SP-610UZ vs Sony A290

Portability
79
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34
Olympus SP-610UZ front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Olympus SP-610UZ
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-616mm (F3.3-5.7) lens
  • 405g - 107 x 73 x 73mm
  • Announced January 2011
  • Succeeded the Olympus SP-600 UZ
  • Renewed by Olympus SP-620 UZ
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
  • Introduced June 2010
  • Older Model is Sony A230
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Olympus SP-610UZ vs Sony A290 Overview

On this page, we are reviewing the Olympus SP-610UZ versus Sony A290, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the SP-610UZ (14MP) and the A290 (14MP) is very well matched but the SP-610UZ (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) offer different sensor sizes.

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The SP-610UZ was brought out 8 months later than the A290 so they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus SP-610UZ being a Compact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a short highlight of how the SP-610UZ grades vs the A290 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-610UZ over the Sony A290

 SP-610UZ A290 
IntroducedJanuary 2011June 2010Fresher by 8 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Olympus SP-610UZ

 A290 SP-610UZ 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing

Common features in the Olympus SP-610UZ and Sony A290

 SP-610UZ A290 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus SP-610UZ provides physical dimensions of 107mm x 73mm x 73mm (4.2" x 2.9" x 2.9") having a weight of 405 grams (0.89 lbs) while the Sony A290 has measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") having a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Check the Olympus SP-610UZ versus Sony A290 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the SP-610UZ against the A290.

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Sony A290 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the SP-610UZ and A290 is 79 and 66 respectively.

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing just by looking at specifications. The visual underneath might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SP-610UZ and A290.

To sum up, both the cameras provide the same MP but different sensor sizing. The SP-610UZ includes the tinier sensor which will make getting shallower depth of field tougher. The fresher SP-610UZ provides an advantage in sensor technology.

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SP-610UZ
Portrait photography with Sony A290
28
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
65
has manual focus
resolution is good (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
supports RAW files
does not have liveview
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-610UZ Street photography factors
Sony A290 Street photography factors
50
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-610UZ Sports photography advice
Sony A290 Sports photography advice
39
excellent zoom range (28-616mm 22.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
does not have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
terrible battery pack (290 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-610UZ Travel photography info
Sony A290 Travel photography info
61
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
very long reach (616mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
53
resolution is good (14MP)
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse mode
terrible battery pack (290 shots)
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-610UZ Landscape photography advice
Sony A290 Landscape photography advice
40
reasonably wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual exposure
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
58
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
does not have liveview
terrible battery pack (290 shots)
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-610UZ Vlogging advice
Sony A290 Vlogging advice
26
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone socket
9
can't shoot video
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Olympus SP-610UZ vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-610UZ and Sony A290
 Olympus SP-610UZSony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model Olympus SP-610UZ Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2011-01-06 2010-06-09
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 28-616mm (22.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.3-5.7 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Total lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.30 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 405 gr (0.89 lb) 549 gr (1.21 lb)
Physical dimensions 107 x 73 x 73mm (4.2" x 2.9" x 2.9") 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 340 pictures 290 pictures
Type of battery AA Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) 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 One One
Cost at release $299 $600