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Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony W290

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
37
Overall
37
Olympus SZ-11 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-11
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Released July 2011
Sony W290
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 98 x 57 x 23mm
  • Announced February 2009
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Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony W290 Overview

The following is a detailed overview of the Olympus SZ-11 versus Sony W290, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the SZ-11 (14MP) and the W290 (12MP) is pretty close and both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SZ-11 was manufactured 2 years after the W290 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the SZ-11 matches up versus the W290 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-11 over the Sony W290

 SZ-11 W290 
AnnouncedJuly 2011February 2009Newer by 30 months
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Olympus SZ-11

 W290 SZ-11 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing

Common features in the Olympus SZ-11 and Sony W290

 SZ-11 W290 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera often, you will need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-11 features physical dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Sony W290 has dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

See the Olympus SZ-11 versus Sony W290 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the SZ-11 against the W290.

Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-11 and W290 is 89 and 94 respectively.

Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is hard to picture the gap in sensor dimensions only by researching specifications. The pic below will offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-11 and W290.

Plainly, both of those cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You can expect the Olympus SZ-11 to provide you with more detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs more aggressively. The fresher SZ-11 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Portrait photography features
Sony W290 Portrait photography features
33
decent MP (14MP)
features face detection focus
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
27
you can focus manually
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Street photography factors
Sony W290 Street photography factors
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (226g)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 as a Sports photography camera
Sony W290 as a Sports photography camera
43
excellent zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (200 shots)
has no phase detect auto focus
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Travel photography info
Sony W290 Travel photography info
65
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great zoom (500mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
bad battery pack (200 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.0)
57
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W290 as a Landscape photography camera
40
pretty wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual exposure
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
bad battery pack (200 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
41
you can focus manually
relatively wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not available
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Vlogging advice
Sony W290 Vlogging advice
31
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection focus
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic jack
28
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic support
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Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-11 and Sony W290
 Olympus SZ-11Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model Olympus SZ-11 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-07-27 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III+ -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-500mm (20.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance 1cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 2 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 9.30 m (@ ISO 1600) 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None 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 226 grams (0.50 pounds) 167 grams (0.37 pounds)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 200 photos -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery model LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $253 $230