Olympus SH-2 vs Sony W290
88 Imaging
40 Features
51 Overall
44


94 Imaging
34 Features
28 Overall
31
Olympus SH-2 vs Sony W290 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 125 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
- 271g - 109 x 63 x 42mm
- Launched March 2015
- Previous Model is Olympus SH-1
- Newer Model is Olympus SH-3
(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
- Introduced February 2009

Olympus SH-2 vs Sony W290 Overview
Its time to look much closer at the Olympus SH-2 and Sony W290, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Sony. There is a large difference between the image resolutions of the SH-2 (16MP) and W290 (12MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The SH-2 was unveiled 6 years later than the W290 and that is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before going right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the SH-2 scores versus the W290 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Olympus SH-2 vs Sony W290 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus Stylus SH-2 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290. The full galleries are provided at Olympus SH-2 Gallery & Sony W290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SH-2 over the Sony W290
SH-2 | W290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | March 2015 | ![]() | February 2009 | Fresher by 74 months |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper display (+230k dot) |
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Olympus SH-2
W290 | SH-2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More precise focus |
Common features in the Olympus SH-2 and Sony W290
SH-2 | W290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen |
Olympus SH-2 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison
If you're going to carry your camera regularly, you should take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus SH-2 enjoys external measurements of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") having a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) and the Sony W290 has proportions of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
See the Olympus SH-2 and Sony W290 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are working with at the time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the SH-2 vs the W290.

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the SH-2 and W290 is 88 and 94 respectively.

Olympus SH-2 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it's hard to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing merely by reading technical specs. The visual underneath should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SH-2 and W290.
As you have seen, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You can anticipate the Olympus SH-2 to offer you extra detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The newer SH-2 should have an edge in sensor innovation.

Olympus SH-2 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SH-2 vs Sony W290 Specifications
Olympus Stylus SH-2 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Sony |
Model | Olympus Stylus SH-2 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Launched | 2015-03-11 | 2009-02-17 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | TruePic VII | - |
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 aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 125 | 80 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 25-600mm (24.0x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.0-6.9 | f/3.3-5.2 |
Macro focus range | 3cm | 10cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 460 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 2 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 11.5 frames per sec | 2.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 8.30 m (at ISO 3200) | 3.90 m |
Flash settings | Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | H.264 | MPEG-4 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 271 grams (0.60 pounds) | 167 grams (0.37 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") | 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 life | 380 images | - |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | LI-92B | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Cost at launch | $399 | $230 |