Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony A290
89 Imaging
40 Features
36 Overall
38
66 Imaging
54 Features
47 Overall
51
Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony A290 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
- 226g - 108 x 70 x 40mm
- Revealed January 2013
(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
- Introduced June 2010
- Succeeded the Sony A230
Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony A290 Overview
Let's examine more closely at the Olympus SZ-16 iHS versus Sony A290, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SZ-16 iHS (16MP) and the A290 (14MP) is fairly well matched but the SZ-16 iHS (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) feature different sensor sizes.
Photography GlossaryThe SZ-16 iHS was revealed 2 years later than the A290 and that is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SZ-16 iHS being a Compact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before we go straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a brief summation of how the SZ-16 iHS grades vs the A290 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony A290 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus SZ-16 iHS & Sony Alpha DSLR-A290. The full galleries are viewable at Olympus SZ-16 iHS Gallery & Sony A290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-16 iHS over the Sony A290
SZ-16 iHS | A290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2013 | June 2010 | More recent by 32 months | |
Display sizing | 3" | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") | |
Display resolution | 460k | 230k | Sharper display (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Olympus SZ-16 iHS
A290 | SZ-16 iHS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | Very precise focus |
Common features in the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Sony A290
SZ-16 iHS | A290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
Selfie screen | Neither has selfie screen | |||
Touch friendly display | Lack of Touch friendly display |
Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison
For those who are aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-16 iHS has outer measurements of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Sony A290 has specifications of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).
Contrast the Olympus SZ-16 iHS versus Sony A290 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilising during that time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the SZ-16 iHS and the A290.
Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ-16 iHS and A290 is 89 and 66 respectively.
Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is very tough to imagine the contrast between sensor measurements merely by checking specs. The graphic here may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-16 iHS and A290.
As you can plainly see, the two cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The SZ-16 iHS using its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF trickier and the Olympus SZ-16 iHS will give you extra detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos a little more aggressively. The newer SZ-16 iHS provides a benefit in sensor technology.
Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Sony A290 Specifications
Olympus SZ-16 iHS | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Olympus | Sony |
Model | Olympus SZ-16 iHS | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Entry-Level DSLR |
Revealed | 2013-01-08 | 2010-06-09 |
Body design | Compact | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 23.5 x 15.7mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 369.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4592 x 3056 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Lens focal range | 25-600mm (24.0x) | - |
Maximum aperture | f/3.0-6.9 | - |
Available lenses | - | 143 |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3 inch | 2.7 inch |
Resolution of display | 460 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display technology | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 95% |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.55x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 4 seconds | 30 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 2.0 frames per sec | 3.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | - | 10.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | - | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) | - |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | None |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | - |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 226 grams (0.50 pounds) | 549 grams (1.21 pounds) |
Dimensions | 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") | 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 images | 290 images |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | LI-50B | NP-FH50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at launch | $230 | $600 |