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Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W290

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44
Olympus SZ-15 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-15
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-483mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 250g - 108 x 70 x 40mm
  • Released June 2013
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
  • Released February 2009
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W290 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Olympus SZ-15 versus Sony W290, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Sony. There exists a substantial gap between the image resolutions of the SZ-15 (16MP) and W290 (12MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ-15 was introduced 4 years after the W290 which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the SZ-15 grades versus the W290 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-15 over the Sony W290

 SZ-15 W290 
ReleasedJune 2013February 2009Newer by 53 months
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Olympus SZ-15

 W290 SZ-15 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-15 and Sony W290

 SZ-15 W290 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera, you'll have to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus SZ-15 offers outside measurements of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") and a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Sony W290 has sizing of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SZ-15 versus Sony W290 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the SZ-15 against the W290.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-15 and W290 is 88 and 94 respectively.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's hard to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by looking at a spec sheet. The picture underneath will help give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-15 and W290.

Clearly, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Olympus SZ-15 to resolve extra detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures more aggressively. The more modern SZ-15 should have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Portrait photography features
Sony W290 Portrait photography features
44
you can focus manually
MP count decent (16MP)
features face detect autofocus
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
27
has manual focus
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Street photography factors
Sony W290 Street photography factors
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (250g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 as a Sports photography camera
Sony W290 as a Sports photography camera
53
excellent zoom range (23-483mm 21.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
features tracking focus
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Travel photography factors
Sony W290 Travel photography factors
68
lighter than competition (250g)
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (23mm)
very long zoom (483mm)
lack of Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
57
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
no Timelapse recording
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Landscape photography advice
Sony W290 Landscape photography advice
49
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (23mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
41
has manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
no manual exposure
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Vlogging details
Sony W290 Vlogging details
34
reasonably wide (23mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (250g)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of microphone jack
28
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone port
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-15 and Sony W290
 Olympus SZ-15Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model Olympus SZ-15 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2013-06-21 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 23-483mm (21.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance 5cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8s 2s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format AVI MPEG4, Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 250g (0.55 lb) 167g (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 model SLB-10A -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch price $200 $230