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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A290

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
47
Overall
42
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Announced February 2012
Sony A290
(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
  • Older Model is Sony A230
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A290 Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A290, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and the A290 (14MP) is fairly comparable but the SZ-31MR iHS (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor size.

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The SZ-31MR iHS was announced 21 months later than the A290 making them a generation apart from each other. The two cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS being a Compact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting right into a in depth comparison, here is a quick summation of how the SZ-31MR iHS scores against the A290 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Sony A290

 SZ-31MR iHS A290 
IntroducedFebruary 2012June 2010Fresher by 21 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kSharper display (+690k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 A290 SZ-31MR iHS 
Manually focus Dial precise focus

Common features in the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Sony A290

 SZ-31MR iHS A290 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera often, you have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS has physical dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") along with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Sony A290 has measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") along with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Compare the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A290 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you use during that time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the SZ-31MR iHS vs the A290.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A290 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-31MR iHS and A290 is 89 and 66 respectively.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is tough to envision the contrast in sensor sizing simply by checking out a spec sheet. The photograph below may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-31MR iHS and A290.

As you can see, the 2 cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The SZ-31MR iHS using its smaller sensor will make shooting shallower DOF harder and the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS will produce extra detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images way more aggressively. The more recent SZ-31MR iHS will have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Portrait photography highlights
Sony A290 Portrait photography highlights
34
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
supports face detection focus
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
65
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Street photography features
Sony A290 Street photography features
64
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
boasts touch focus
lighter than competition in class (226g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sports photography highlights
Sony A290 Sports photography highlights
44
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (200 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
slow frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
not so great battery life (290 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Travel photography information
Sony A290 Travel photography information
67
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
boasts touch focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
not so great battery life (200 CIPA)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.0)
53
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
not so great battery life (290 CIPA)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Landscape photography details
Sony A290 Landscape photography details
41
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not available
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
not so great battery life (200 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse recording
58
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
small screen (2.7")
doesn't have liveview
not so great battery life (290 shots)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Vlogging factors
Sony A290 Vlogging factors
35
reasonably wide (25mm)
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (226g)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
does not have external microphone socket
9
can't record video
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Sony A290
 Olympus SZ-31MR iHSSony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2012-02-08 2010-06-09
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Dual TruePic V Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS 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 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
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 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.0-6.9 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 920k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1700 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 7.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.30 m 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
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226g (0.50 lb) 549g (1.21 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 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 200 shots 290 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Card slots One One
Cost at release $0 $600