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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony W290

Portability
69
Imaging
38
Features
29
Overall
34
Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Olympus SP-820UZ
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 22-896mm (F3.4-5.7) lens
  • 485g - 117 x 78 x 93mm
  • Released August 2012
  • Replaced the Olympus SP-820UZ
  • Successor is Olympus SP-820UZ
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
  • Released February 2009
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony W290 Overview

Let's look a little more in depth at the Olympus SP-820UZ versus Sony W290, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SP-820UZ (14MP) and the W290 (12MP) is very comparable and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SP-820UZ was brought out 3 years later than the W290 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a full comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the SP-820UZ matches up vs the W290 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-820UZ over the Sony W290

 SP-820UZ W290 
ReleasedAugust 2012February 2009More recent by 43 months
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Olympus SP-820UZ

 W290 SP-820UZ 
Focus manually More precise focusing

Common features in the Olympus SP-820UZ and Sony W290

 SP-820UZ W290 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurement
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and size. The Olympus SP-820UZ enjoys physical measurements of 117mm x 78mm x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") with a weight of 485 grams (1.07 lbs) and the Sony W290 has specifications of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

See the Olympus SP-820UZ versus Sony W290 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the SP-820UZ and the W290.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony W290 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SP-820UZ and W290 is 69 and 94 respectively.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is hard to picture the gap in sensor measurements simply by checking out technical specs. The photograph underneath will give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the SP-820UZ and W290.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras feature the identical sensor size but different MP. You can expect to see the Olympus SP-820UZ to provide extra detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos way more aggressively. The more recent SP-820UZ should have a benefit in sensor tech.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Portrait photography advice
Sony W290 Portrait photography advice
34
megapixel count decent (14MP)
provides face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
27
you can focus manually
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Street photography details
Sony W290 Street photography details
37
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
heavier than competition in class (485 grams)
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Sports photography advice
Sony W290 Sports photography advice
33
incredible zoom range (22-896mm 40.7 x zoom)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Travel photography information
Sony W290 Travel photography information
55
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (22mm)
very long zoom (896mm)
no Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition in class (485g)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
57
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Landscape photography advice
Sony W290 Landscape photography advice
35
reasonably wide (22mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
no manual exposure
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
no Time Lapse mode
41
you can focus manually
relatively wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Vlogging info
Sony W290 Vlogging info
25
reasonably wide (22mm)
provides face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
no mic support
heavier than competition in class (485 grams)
28
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic jack
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-820UZ and Sony W290
 Olympus Stylus SP-820UZSony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2012-08-21 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 22-896mm (40.7x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.4-5.7 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range 1cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 2 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 15.00 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure 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 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 180 (30, 240 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 485 grams (1.07 lb) 167 grams (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 117 x 78 x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $299 $230