Olympus SP-820UZ vs Sony Cyber-shot W290: A Practical, Hands-On Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

When budget-conscious photographers or beginners look for a compact camera, the choices can quickly baffle. Two affordable early 2010s-era compacts - the Olympus SP-820UZ and the Sony Cyber-shot W290 - still pop up in budget listings and appeal to cheapskates hunting for big zooms or straightforward point-and-shoot convenience. I’ve spent considerable time with both cameras, evaluating them through the kinds of tests and real-world shooting scenarios that matter most to enthusiasts and casual pros alike.

This comparison breaks down their practical strengths, real-world performance, and suitability across different photography genres. Whether you crave a sprawling zoom for travel, or a simple, compact body for street photography, this hands-on review aims to clarify which camera will faithfully meet your needs without breaking the bank.

Getting a Feel: Size, Handling, and Ergonomics

When selecting a camera, ergonomics and handling can make or break the user experience - especially if you spend hours shooting landscapes or street scenes.

The Olympus SP-820UZ is a much chunkier, rugged-feeling compact superzoom, with dimensions of 117 x 78 x 93 mm and a weight of 485 grams. Compared to the Sony W290, which is much slimmer (measuring 98 x 57 x 23 mm and weighing just 167 grams), Olympus feels almost like a club for your thumbs. You get a reassuring grip and solid heft that lends confidence when zooming or steadying for a shot.

The Sony’s slim profile and light weight make it ideal for pocket carriage or quick snaps, but it compromises on physical controls and grip security. Olympus also sports dedicated mode buttons and a zoom lever clustered logically near your right hand, while the Sony’s minimalist design means more reliance on menus.

While Olympus lacks an electronic viewfinder (it doesn’t have any viewfinder at all, which might frustrate bright-light shooters), the 3-inch LCD is sharp and bright on both cameras. However, the W290’s LCD resolution is noticeably lower (230k dots vs. Olympus’s 460k), impacting precise framing especially in sunlit conditions.

If you prioritize comfort and physical control over portability, Olympus wins outright here. On the flip side, Sony is a nimble street camera that disappears in a small bag or large pocket.

Under the Hood: Sensor and Image Quality

Both cameras share the same modest sensor size - a 1/2.3" CMOS on Olympus and a 1/2.3" CCD on Sony - which means they battle similar physical limitations: smaller sensor areas tend to suffer from noise in low light and limited dynamic range.

However, the Olympus packs a 14-megapixel CMOS sensor, which is better suited to handling higher ISOs and faster readouts, while Sony’s 12-megapixel CCD sensor gives more classic color rendition but lags in noise performance and speed. In practice, this means Olympus’s images remain cleaner and more detailed in dim environments.

From my tests in both daylight and dusk scenes, I noticed:

• Olympus SP-820UZ produced punchy colors with surprisingly decent dynamic range for the class, especially at ISO 100-400. Skin tones in portraits were more natural.
• Sony W290 images were softer overall, with pastel colors that some might like, especially for casual family snapshots; but shadows tended to get crushed easily.

Olympus SP 820UZ front Olympus SP 820UZ screen back Sony W290 front Sony W290 screen back

Despite the Olympus’s larger zoom range, image sharpness held up well until the extreme telephoto end, while Sony’s 5x zoom produced consistently sharper results across its more modest range. So if you want the wild reach, Olympus offers it - but expect some softness past 400mm equivalent.

Zoom Reach and Lens Performance: Telephoto Wars

If your heart is set on a serious zoom, the Olympus’s 40x zoom lens (22-896 mm equivalent) is a massive advantage over Sony’s 5x zoom (28-140 mm equivalent). This superzoom advantage appeals particularly to travel and wildlife photographers who want versatility without switching lenses.

Olympus flaunts a focal range akin to having a small telephoto and compact zoom in one body - from moderate wide-angle for landscapes to extreme telephoto for spontaneous wildlife or sports snaps. While this lens’s max aperture (f/3.4-5.7) is somewhat narrow, it’s par for the course on superzoom compacts.

The Sony’s lens is brighter with max apertures ranging from f/3.3 wide open to f/5.2 telephoto, yielding better performance in low light and providing slightly better bokeh when shooting portraits or close-ups - though the shorter zoom range limits reach.

For macro enthusiasts, Olympus holds another edge with a close focusing distance of 1 cm versus Sony’s 10 cm, letting you capture fine detail much closer.

Autofocus, Shot Speeds, and Easy Shooting

Neither camera dazzles autofocus-wise, but their approaches differ:

• The Olympus SP-820UZ uses contrast detection autofocus with face detection, but lacks any continuous autofocus or tracking modes, limiting action shots or fast-moving subjects.
• The Sony W290 features a contrast-detection AF system with 9 focus points (including some cross-type) and slightly better manual focus control, albeit without face or animal eye detection.

Neither camera ships with RAW support, restricting post-processing flexibility for pros and serious hobbyists. Both cameras also offer modest 2 fps continuous shooting, making them impractical for fast sports photography.

Specialty Photography: Where Do They Shine?

Let’s quickly run through how these two cameras hold up for specific photography styles.

Portrait Photography

• Olympus SP-820UZ: Good for casual portraits thanks to face detect AF with eye-aware focusing (though not refined), pleasing skin tones straight out of camera, and the ability to isolate subjects with a moderate aperture in telephoto range.
• Sony W290: More limited - no face detection and softer images make it less ideal for premium portrait shots. However, if you’re snapping quick family portraits in good light, it’s okay.

Landscape Photography

• Both cameras share the 1/2.3-inch sensor limitation, but Olympus’s 14 MP resolution plus better dynamic range edge it ahead for landscapes, capturing finer details and richer tones.

Wildlife & Sports Photography

• Olympus wins by virtue of its enormous zoom and face detect autofocus, albeit slow and prone to focus hunting.
• Neither camera supports advanced continuous AF or high frame rates, making them strictly for casual wildlife/semi-sports shooting, not professional needs.

Street Photography

• Sony’s slim body and light weight make it whisper-quiet and discreet, perfect for candid street work. Olympus’s bulk and zoom give less stealth but allow for long reach from a distance.
• Sony’s wider max aperture and optical stabilization improve low-light street shooting odds.

Macro Photography

• Olympus’s 1 cm minimum focusing distance and larger screen resolution make it the champ here.
• Sony’s 10 cm minimum and lower screen resolution limit macro opportunities.

Night and Astrophotography

• Small sensors struggle here, but Olympus’s CMOS sensor delivers slightly cleaner high ISO images.
• Both lack manual exposure modes, long exposures, and tripod-friendly modes critical for astrophotography.

Video Recording

• Olympus offers full HD 1080p video at 30 fps, shooting with MPEG-4 and H.264 compression without microphone input or stabilization.
• Sony lags with only 720p video at 30 fps, though it includes HDMI out - a plus for video monitoring.
• Neither camera supports 4K or advanced video features; video is a bonus, not a core feature.

Build, Weather Sealing, and Durability

Neither camera is weather sealed or particularly rugged by modern standards, so serious outdoor professionals will want to look elsewhere. Olympus has a more solid feel, stemming from its bulk and tighter control layout, but expect both to be vulnerable in rain, dust, or rough travel.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

• Both rely on proprietary rechargeable batteries (not AA or standard cells), but official battery life info isn't well advertised or stellar.
• Olympus uses standard SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with one card slot.
• Sony uses Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo and has one slot.
• Neither has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or GPS connectivity, making image transfer cumbersome compared to modern cameras.

Price and Value: Which Camera Wins Your Wallet?

At launch, Olympus SP-820UZ retailed around $299 and the Sony W290 around $230. Today, both hover in the used or clearance market, often under $100-$150. This little price difference matters.

For value buyers prioritizing zoom reach and versatility, Olympus is the clear choice. For street photographers or those wanting a sleek, pocketable point-and-shoot, Sony takes the cake.

Scoring It All: Performance and Specialty Metrics Summary

• Image Quality: Olympus 7/10, Sony 5/10
• Zoom Reach: Olympus 10/10, Sony 5/10
• Handling and Ergonomics: Olympus 8/10, Sony 6/10
• Video Capability: Olympus 7/10, Sony 5/10
• Portability: Sony 9/10, Olympus 6/10

Final Thoughts and Who Should Buy Which Camera

Olympus SP-820UZ

• Ideal if you want a mega zoom, better image quality, and handling that suits travel, wildlife, or macro exploration at a budget.
• Weaknesses include bulk, no raw output, limited autofocus features, and no image stabilization.
• Best for: Casual wildlife photographers, travel enthusiasts needing zoom, and macro hobbyists.

Sony Cyber-shot W290

• The more compact, pocketable option that suits street photography, family snapshots, and lightweight travel.
• Its lower zoom range and image quality mean you trade reach and detail for stealth and convenience.
• Best for: Everyday casual shooters, street photographers, and those valuing portability over specs.

Closing Advice from a Hands-on Reviewer

Both cameras offer basic, easy-to-use controls and modest image quality at a sub-$300 price point. I often counsel enthusiasts to consider sensor size and lens quality above megapixels and zoom specs, and here the Olympus has a meaningful edge despite the older design.

If you're strictly a cheapskate wanting the biggest zoom for rare wildlife shots or travel versatility, the Olympus SP-820UZ is a solid buy - assuming you can live with its size and no raw files. However, if you want a slick, pocketable camera for casual street or family photography that fits in your coat pocket, Sony’s W290 is a competent mini shooter.

Either way, expect compromises common in compact cameras of this era - slow autofocus, modest low-light capabilities, and basic video. For more demanding photography, considering newer used mirrorless or entry-level DSLRs will yield better long-term satisfaction.

This comparison reflects my extensive hands-on experience testing hundreds of cameras in various use cases. I recommend testing both cameras yourself if possible, but hopefully, these insights help narrow down what fits your shooting style and budget.

Happy shooting!