Olympus SP-810 UZ vs Sony A290
78 Imaging
37 Features
34 Overall
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66 Imaging
54 Features
47 Overall
51
Olympus SP-810 UZ vs Sony A290 Key Specs
(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- Superseded the Olympus SP-800 UZ
(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

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.

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.

Olympus SP-810 UZ vs Sony A290 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus SP-810 UZ & Sony Alpha DSLR-A290. The entire galleries are viewable at Olympus SP-810 UZ Gallery & Sony A290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SP-810 UZ over the Sony A290
SP-810 UZ | A290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | July 2011 | ![]() | June 2010 | Fresher by 14 months |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Exact 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-810 UZ vs Sony A290 Specifications
Olympus SP-810 UZ | Sony 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 |