Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A290

Olympus TG-870 vs Sony A290: An Enthusiast’s Deep Dive Into Two Very Different Cameras

Choosing your next camera can sometimes feel like comparing apples to… well, sports cars. On one hand, we have the Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 - a rugged, ultracompact waterproof pocket rocket aimed at casual adventurers and thrill-seekers. On the other, the Sony Alpha DSLR-A290, an entry-level DSLR born in a different era, geared towards fledgling photographers craving control and image quality.

Having personally tested thousands of cameras over many years, I find these two models fascinating - they occupy distinct niches, yet occasionally attract overlapping interest from photographers wondering which direction to take. Let’s unpack everything from physical design and sensor performance to autofocus and real-world usability. You’ll get a well-rounded view, balancing specs with hands-on experience - and by the end, I’ll help you decide which fits your photographic lifestyle.

Pocket vs. Bulk: Size, Handling, and Ergonomics

Right off the bat, the form factor is a study in contrasts. The Olympus TG-870 weighs a featherlight 221 grams and measures just 113x64x28 mm, pocket-friendly and ready to join your hiking pack or beach bag without protest. By contrast, the Sony A290 is a substantially chunkier 549 grams with dimensions of 128x97x86 mm - reflecting its DSLR nature and manual controls.

In my prolonged test sessions, the TG-870’s ultracompact design was a delight on the go, especially when paired with its rugged build: waterproof up to 15m, freeze-proof down to -10°C, shockproof for 2m drops, and crushproof up to 100 kgf. For adventure, underwater shots, or unpredictable weather, this camera confidently shrugs off abuse.

The Sony’s larger grip caters to hand comfort during extended shoots - more comfortable for portrait or studio setups - but its bulk hinders stealthy street shooting and travel. The fixed-lens TG hides inconspicuously in crowds; the DSLR, not so much. Ergonomically, Sony’s traditional DSLR layout offers more tactile controls - aperture priority, shutter priority, manual modes, and dedicated exposure compensation. Olympus trades those away for simplicity; it’s fully automatic with some exposure tweaking but no aperture or shutter priority - no getting fancy with exposure here.

For tactile type lovers - finger on the dial - Sony wins. For all-weather minimalists craving durability and simplicity, Olympus claws ahead.

Design Details: Top-Down Controls and Display Interfaces

Taking a peek at the top decks, Olympus keeps things tiny and functional - mode dial, shutter button, zoom rocker, and power switch squeezed where they fit. Sony’s DSLR body boasts the classic pentaprism hump, a mode dial with full manual exposure options, and a more generous control palette.

Screen-wise, Olympus’s 3" 921k-dot tilting LCD is bright and versatile - great for tough angles or underwater framing (no viewfinder here). The Sony A290 has a smaller fixed 2.7” LCD with just 230k-dot resolution - not particularly sharp or helpful for critical focusing. But the DSLR compensates with an optical pentamirror viewfinder, covering roughly 95% of the frame with a magnification of 0.55x, allowing traditional eye-level composition - something Olympus’s digital-only workflow inherently lacks.

In practical use, the TG’s screen pleased me with its flexibility, while the Sony’s viewfinder remains the workhorse for daylight shooting and manual focusing - its optical clarity simply can’t be emulated by a small LCD.

Sensor Showdown: Size, Resolution, and Image Quality

Here lies the technical heart of the two cameras. The Olympus TG-870 sports a 1/2.3” BSI-CMOS sensor measuring 6.17x4.55 mm with 16 megapixels of resolution. This sensor size is quite modest, typical of point-and-shoot cameras optimized for portability rather than image quality.

Conversely, the Sony A290 employs a much larger APS-C CCD sensor, 23.5x15.7 mm, with slightly fewer pixels at 14 megapixels. This substantial size difference (about 13x the surface area of the Olympus sensor) translates to significantly better light gathering and image quality potential.

Based on extensive hands-on testing and review protocol (including lab charts and real-world images), the Sony’s APS-C sensor offers superior dynamic range, more nuanced color depth, and cleaner high ISO performance in controlled conditions. DxOMark’s scores back this up: Sony boasts an overall score of 66, color depth of 22.6 bits, and dynamic range of 11.5 stops, whereas the Olympus hasn't been individually tested by DxOMark but matches points typical of the 1/2.3” sensor class - generally middling.

However, Olympus’s BSI-CMOS technology helps compensate somewhat in low light versus traditional CMOS sensors of similar size, improving noise handling at ISO 800-1600. Still, the tiny sensor limits detailed enlargement and dynamic latitude, especially when pushing shadows or highlights.

For serious landscape and portrait shooters desiring large prints or nuanced shadow recovery, Sony’s sensor is the clear winner. Olympus’s sensor excels in casual daylight conditions but shows noise and softness creeping in indoors or dim environments.

Shooting Experience: Autofocus, Burst Rates, and Practical Usability

The autofocus systems reveal stark practical differences. The Olympus TG-870 uses contrast-detection autofocus with face detection and tracking up to 7fps continuous shooting - a decent speed for an ultracompact. However, it lacks phase detection, sophisticated AF area selection, and cannot perform manual focus adjustments.

The Sony A290, by contrast, features 9 autofocus points (using phase-detection) distributed across the frame, including center-weighted metering. While its burst rate is modest at 3fps, the DSLR’s AF offers much better accuracy, faster lock-on speeds, and options like exposure compensation and manual exposure modes for creative control.

For portraits and wildlife, Olympus’s face tracking is handy but can struggle in tricky lighting or with fast-moving subjects. Sony’s phase detection delivers better focus precision and tracking capable of capturing decisive moments.

In real-life sports sessions, I found the Sony more responsive and forgiving when chasing erratic action, despite its slower burst. Olympus’s speed is applauded, but the contrast-based AF stumbles in low contrast or low light.

Versatility in Lens Options and Macro Performance

This is where the Sony DSLR flexes its muscle. With over 140 lenses compatible across the Sony/Minolta Alpha mount system, photographers can dial in focal lengths from ultra-wide to super-telephoto, primes to zooms, macro optics, and everything in between.

Olympus TG-870’s fixed 21-105mm equivalent f/3.5-5.7 lens (5x zoom) makes it straightforward but limits versatility. It does permit macro focusing as close as 1 cm, great for closeups in a compact package, but you can’t swap lenses or dedicate yourself to specialized optics.

Macro fans seeking pinpoint precision and wider aperture choices will appreciate Sony’s extensive lens line. Meanwhile, adventure photographers happy with a rugged all-in-one zoom might lean Olympus.

Weather Sealing and Durability: Built for Action vs. Careful Handling

If outdoor abuse is on your agenda, Olympus TG-870 stands tall. It’s waterproof down to 15 meters, shockproof against 2 m drops, freezeproof to -10°C, and crushproof up to 100 kgf. Literally, it thrives in harsh conditions and is built for active lifestyles - diving, hiking, mountain biking - you name it.

Sony A290, built for more traditional photography, lacks any environmental sealing or rugged design. It’s a delicate creature, best housed in a camera bag and protected from rain and dust.

If your shooting domain includes swimming pools or beaches, or you often find yourself in wet, cold, or rough environments, Olympus’s toughness is a decisive advantage.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

Battery endurance is comparable: Olympus TG-870 claims around 300 shots per charge using the Li-50B battery, while Sony A290 manages approximately 290 shots with the NP-FH50 battery. Real world, this means both cameras require carrying spares for day-long adventures or shoots.

For storage, Olympus supports modern SD/SDHC/SDXC cards and even includes internal memory - a nice safety net. Sony also supports SD/SDHC but adds proprietary Memory Stick Pro Duo support, an aging standard that’s increasingly niche.

Connectivity-wise, Olympus has built-in GPS and wireless capability (Wi-Fi), allowing geotagging and remote control through mobile apps. Sony A290 offers no wireless features, though it has HDMI and USB 2.0 ports.

This makes Olympus more future-proof and integrated with contemporary workflows, especially appealing to travel or adventure photographers who want quick image transfer and geotags.

Video Capabilities: HD and Limitations

Olympus TG-870 offers Full HD 1080p video recording at 60 frames per second in MPEG-4/H.264 codecs, as well as 720p and VGA options. It includes optical image stabilization, helpful to reduce hand shake, and an LED illuminator aiding low-light scenes. No microphone inputs or 4K, though - not designed as a filmmakers’ tool.

Sony A290 has no video recording capabilities whatsoever - a limitation in today’s multimedia-centric age. If shooting video is important, Olympus wins hands down.

Image Samples and Real-World Comparison

Enough specs - what about the shots? Here’s a gallery comparing photos from both cameras under varied conditions: portraits, landscapes, macros, and low-light scenarios.

Olympus TG 870 front Olympus TG 870 screen back Sony A290 screen back

Olympus images display vibrant colors and pleasing contrast in daylight, aided by built-in image stabilization and HDR processing in some modes. Skin tones are adequate but can appear slightly processed, especially in auto modes. The bokeh from the zoom lens is minimal given the smaller sensor and variable aperture.

Sony’s images, leveraging its larger APS-C sensor, excel in dynamic range and color fidelity, with richer tonal gradations and finer details in shadows. Portraits feel more natural, with opportunities to use fast prime lenses to render soft, creamy backgrounds.

Low-light shots underscore Sony’s advantage: cleaner ISO 1600 and 3200 images with less noise, while Olympus introduces visible grain and reduced sharpness above ISO 800.

How They Score Across Photography Genres

Here’s an overview of how the two cameras stack up across diverse photographic disciplines, based on performance tests and practical considerations.

• Portraits: Sony leads with superior skin tone rendering and shallow depth effects. Olympus adequate for informal snaps.
• Landscapes: Sony’s dynamic range and resolution advantage make it better for scenic work.
• Wildlife: Sony’s AF system and lens options trump Olympus’s limited zoom and contrast AF.
• Sports: Sony’s more precise AF is better despite slower burst rates.
• Street: Olympus’s stealth and ruggedness shine; Sony less portable.
• Macro: Sony’s lens flexibility prevails, but Olympus can satisfy casual macro fans.
• Night/Astro: Sony’s cleaner high ISO and manual exposures win.
• Video: Olympus only.
• Travel: Olympus’s size, weight, weatherproofing, and GPS put it ahead.
• Professional Work: Sony better integrates into standard workflows with RAW support and manual controls.

Overall Performance Ratings From Lab and Field

Summarizing the overall performance:

Sony A290 scores higher in image quality and control, but Olympus TG-870 scores for ruggedness and video utility.

Which Camera Fits Your Photography Journey?

Ultimately, both cameras serve different needs.

Choose the Olympus TG-870 if:

• You want a compact, weatherproof camera you can toss into your pocket for adventures.
• You appreciate decent JPEG output with minimal fuss.
• Video recording, GPS tagging, and wireless connectivity are important.
• You shoot casual portraits and macros without fussing over manual control.
• You value durability over ultimate image quality.

Choose the Sony A290 if:

• You’re dipping toes into interchangeable lens photography with manual control.
• You want superior image quality, especially in portraits, landscapes, and low light.
• You prefer optical viewfinder composition.
• You want the ability to upgrade lenses and experiment creatively.
• You don’t mind the extra size/weight and a less rugged design.

Final Thoughts: Two Solid Cameras for Different Worlds

In my 15-plus years of camera testing, I’ve found that no single camera fits all photographers, and the Olympus TG-870 and Sony A290 are textbook examples. TG-870 is a hardy, simple shooter optimized for on-the-go durability and everyday use. Sony A290 embodies the classic DSLR experience - manual control, image quality, and flexibility, but without modern frills like video or wireless.

If you want pocketability and resilience for active lifestyles, Olympus TG-870 is the charming compact companion that rarely disappoints. If you crave photographic exploration with room to grow, manual controls, and better images, Sony A290 is a capable entry point into the DSLR world - though time has passed it by technologically.

Both deserve credit for delivering what their target audiences demand. Choose based on your priorities: adventure-proof simplicity or DSLR quality and control.

Happy shooting!

This review is based on extensive hands-on use, lab data, and my cumulative industry expertise. Feel free to reach out with questions or share your experiences.