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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony W290

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
47
Overall
42
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Revealed February 2012
Sony W290
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 98 x 57 x 23mm
  • Revealed February 2009
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony W290 Overview

The following is a detailed assessment of the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS versus Sony W290, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Sony. There is a considerable difference between the resolutions of the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and W290 (12MP) but they come with the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ-31MR iHS was revealed 3 years after the W290 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a full comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the SZ-31MR iHS matches up vs the W290 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Sony W290

 SZ-31MR iHS W290 
RevealedFebruary 2012February 2009Newer by 37 months
Display resolution920k230kCrisper display (+690k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 W290 SZ-31MR iHS 
Manually focus Very precise focus

Common features in the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Sony W290

 SZ-31MR iHS W290 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera regularly, you have to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS has got outer measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Sony W290 has sizing of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check out the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS versus Sony W290 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have at the time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the SZ-31MR iHS vs the W290.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony W290 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-31MR iHS and W290 is 89 and 94 respectively.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by going over a spec sheet. The image below will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-31MR iHS and W290.

Clearly, the 2 cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different megapixels. You can anticipate the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS to deliver more detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos much more aggressively. The more modern SZ-31MR iHS provides a benefit in sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Portrait photography advice
Sony W290 Portrait photography advice
34
resolution is good (16MP)
features face detect focusing
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
27
focusing manually
no manual control
cannot use external flash
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Street photography details
Sony W290 Street photography details
64
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has focus via touch
lighter than competition (226g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sports photography factors
Sony W290 Sports photography factors
44
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (200 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Travel photography camera
Sony W290 as a Travel photography camera
67
lighter than competition (226g)
has focus via touch
resolution is good (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
terrible battery life (200 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
57
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Landscape photography with Sony W290
41
decently wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not available
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
terrible battery life (200 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse mode
41
focusing manually
decently wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Vlogging camera
Sony W290 as a Vlogging camera
35
decently wide (25mm)
touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (226 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of mic port
28
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing mic jack
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Sony W290
 Olympus SZ-31MR iHSSony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-02-08 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Dual TruePic V -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS 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 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance 1cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 920k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 2 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1700 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 7.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 9.30 m 3.90 m
Flash options 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
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226g (0.50 lb) 167g (0.37 lb)
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 rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 200 photos -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-50B -
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 Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail price $0 $230