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Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony W290

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Olympus TG-850 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 21-105mm (F3.5-5.7) lens
  • 218g - 110 x 64 x 28mm
  • Launched January 2014
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 TG-850 iHS vs Sony W290 Overview

Lets look a little more closely at the Olympus TG-850 iHS and Sony W290, former is a Waterproof while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Sony. There exists a considerable gap between the image resolutions of the TG-850 iHS (16MP) and W290 (12MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The TG-850 iHS was manufactured 5 years after the W290 which is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the TG-850 iHS matches up against the W290 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-850 iHS over the Sony W290

 TG-850 iHS W290 
RevealedJanuary 2014February 2009Newer by 61 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Olympus TG-850 iHS

 W290 TG-850 iHS 
Manual focus More precise focusing

Common features in the Olympus TG-850 iHS and Sony W290

 TG-850 iHS W290 
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera often, you need to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus TG-850 iHS comes with exterior dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") having a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs) while the Sony W290 has measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Examine the Olympus TG-850 iHS and Sony W290 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you use at that moment. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the TG-850 iHS and the W290.

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony W290 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the TG-850 iHS and W290 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very difficult to envision the difference between sensor dimensions merely by checking a spec sheet. The image here will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the TG-850 iHS and W290.

As you can see, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You can anticipate the Olympus TG-850 iHS to give more detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop pics more aggressively. The fresher TG-850 iHS is going to have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Portrait photography features
Sony W290 Portrait photography features
35
decent MP (16MP)
provides face detect focus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
27
you can focus manually
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Street photography features
Sony W290 Street photography features
69
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Optical)
weather proofing
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Sports photography advice
Sony W290 Sports photography advice
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
provides tracking focus
weather proofing
better than average battery power (330 CIPA)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
25
image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Travel photography features
Sony W290 Travel photography features
72
better than average battery power (330 shots)
weather proofing
decent MP (16MP)
flash built-in
really wide (21mm)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
57
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Landscape photography information
Sony W290 Landscape photography information
50
really wide (21mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
better than average battery power (330 CIPA)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
41
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not available
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Vlogging highlights
Sony W290 Vlogging highlights
33
really wide (21mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of microphone jack
28
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic jack
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Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-850 iHS and Sony W290
 Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHSSony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2014-01-29 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 16MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4616 x 3464 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 125 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 21-105mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-5.7 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range - 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 1/2 seconds 2 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 3.90 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Yes None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 218 gr (0.48 lbs) 167 gr (0.37 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") 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
Battery life 330 pictures -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery model LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 sec, 12 sec, Custom Self-Timer (1-30 sec start timer, 1-10 pictures, 1-3 sec interval)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at release $250 $230