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Olympus SP-810 UZ vs Sony A290

Portability
78
Imaging
37
Features
34
Overall
35
Olympus SP-810 UZ front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Olympus SP-810 UZ vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Olympus SP-810 UZ
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-864mm (F2.9-5.7) lens
  • 413g - 106 x 76 x 74mm
  • Released July 2011
  • Superseded the Olympus SP-800 UZ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
  • Revealed June 2010
  • Older Model is Sony A230
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Olympus SP-810 UZ vs Sony A290 Overview

On this page, we are contrasting the Olympus SP-810 UZ versus Sony A290, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the SP-810 UZ (14MP) and the A290 (14MP) is fairly similar but the SP-810 UZ (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor sizing.

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The SP-810 UZ was manufactured 14 months later than the A290 making them a generation apart from each other. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus SP-810 UZ being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a quick summation of how the SP-810 UZ matches up against the A290 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-810 UZ over the Sony A290

 SP-810 UZ A290 
RevealedJuly 2011June 2010Fresher by 14 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Olympus SP-810 UZ

 A290 SP-810 UZ 
Focus manually Very exact focusing

Common features in the Olympus SP-810 UZ and Sony A290

 SP-810 UZ A290 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Olympus SP-810 UZ vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera regularly, you have to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus SP-810 UZ provides exterior measurements of 106mm x 76mm x 74mm (4.2" x 3.0" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 413 grams (0.91 lbs) while the Sony A290 has proportions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") and a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SP-810 UZ versus Sony A290 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at the time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the SP-810 UZ vs the A290.

Olympus SP-810 UZ vs Sony A290 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the SP-810 UZ and A290 is 78 and 66 respectively.

Olympus SP-810 UZ vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-810 UZ vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's hard to visualise the difference between sensor sizing simply by reviewing specs. The visual below might give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SP-810 UZ and A290.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras provide the same resolution but not the same sensor sizing. The SP-810 UZ contains the tinier sensor which is going to make getting shallower DOF harder. The younger SP-810 UZ is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus SP-810 UZ vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-810 UZ vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-810 UZ vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-810 UZ Portrait photography information
Sony A290 Portrait photography information
33
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
provides face detection focus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
65
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detection focus
supports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-810 UZ Street photography factors
Sony A290 Street photography factors
50
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-810 UZ Sports photography advice
Sony A290 Sports photography advice
40
incredible zoom range (24-864mm 36.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (14MP)
provides tracking autofocus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,200s)
low frames per second (0.7 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
not so great battery pack (290 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-810 UZ as a Travel photography camera
Sony A290 as a Travel photography camera
61
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
great zoom (864mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.9)
53
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
not so great battery pack (290 per charge)
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SP-810 UZ
Landscape photography with Sony A290
40
rather wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (14MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.9)
no manual control
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
58
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
small screen (2.7 inches)
doesn't have liveview
not so great battery pack (290 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-810 UZ Vlogging info
Sony A290 Vlogging info
27
rather wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection focus
sluggish max aperture (f2.9)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic port
9
no video recording
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Olympus SP-810 UZ vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-810 UZ and Sony A290
 Olympus SP-810 UZSony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus SP-810 UZ Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2011-07-27 2010-06-09
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic III+ Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 3216 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 24-864mm (36.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.9-5.7 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Min shutter speed 1/4s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/1200s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 0.7 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.20 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160s
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) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file format 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 413 gr (0.91 lbs) 549 gr (1.21 lbs)
Physical dimensions 106 x 76 x 74mm (4.2" x 3.0" x 2.9") 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 shots
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID Li-50B NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Storage slots Single Single
Launch pricing $280 $600