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Olympus SZ-10 vs Sony A290

Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-10 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Olympus SZ-10 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-10
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-504mm (F3.1-4.4) lens
  • 215g - 106 x 67 x 38mm
  • Released February 2011
Sony A290
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Revealed June 2010
  • Previous Model is Sony A230
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Olympus SZ-10 vs Sony A290 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Olympus SZ-10 versus Sony A290, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the SZ-10 (14MP) and the A290 (14MP) is relatively comparable but the SZ-10 (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) provide different sensor size.

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The SZ-10 was manufactured 9 months after the A290 and they are of a similar age. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus SZ-10 being a Compact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the SZ-10 matches up against the A290 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-10 over the Sony A290

 SZ-10 A290 
RevealedFebruary 2011June 2010Newer by 9 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Olympus SZ-10

 A290 SZ-10 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing

Common features in the Olympus SZ-10 and Sony A290

 SZ-10 A290 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Olympus SZ-10 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus SZ-10 comes with external dimensions of 106mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.5") with a weight of 215 grams (0.47 lbs) while the Sony A290 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") and a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus SZ-10 versus Sony A290 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have attached during that time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the SZ-10 versus the A290.

Olympus SZ-10 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ-10 and A290 is 90 and 66 respectively.

Olympus SZ-10 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-10 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be hard to imagine the gap in sensor dimensions simply by seeing technical specs. The image underneath should give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-10 and A290.

As you have seen, the two cameras have the same megapixel count albeit different sensor dimensions. The SZ-10 contains the smaller sensor which is going to make achieving shallower depth of field more difficult. The newer SZ-10 provides an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-10 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-10 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-10 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-10
Portrait photography with Sony A290
33
MP count good (14MP)
provides face detect focusing
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
65
has manual focus
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
saves RAW files
does not have liveview
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SZ-10
Street photography with Sony A290
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others (215g)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SZ-10
Sports photography with Sony A290
40
incredible zoom range (28-504mm 18.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (14MP)
provides tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery (220 shots)
lack of phase detect AF
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
does not have liveview
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
not so great battery (290 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-10 Travel photography details
Sony A290 Travel photography details
65
lighter than others (215g)
MP count good (14MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
great reach (504mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
bad battery (220 per charge)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
53
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
not so great battery (290 shots)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-10
Landscape photography with Sony A290
40
decently wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (14MP)
manual focus not available
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
bad battery (220 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
58
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
small screen (2.7 inch)
does not have liveview
not so great battery (290 shots)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SZ-10
Vlogging with Sony A290
31
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect focusing
lighter than others (215g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic port
9
no video
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Olympus SZ-10 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-10 and Sony A290
 Olympus SZ-10Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model Olympus SZ-10 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2011-02-08 2010-06-09
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 14 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 28-504mm (18.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.1-4.4 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 7.10 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
WB bracketing
Maximum 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 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 215 grams (0.47 lb) 549 grams (1.21 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 67 x 38mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.5") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 220 photographs 290 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $300 $600