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Olympus TG-310 vs Sony A290

Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
33
Overall
35
Olympus TG-310 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Olympus TG-310 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Olympus TG-310
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-102mm (F3.9-5.9) lens
  • 155g - 96 x 63 x 23mm
  • Announced January 2011
Sony A290
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Revealed June 2010
  • Replaced the Sony A230
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Olympus TG-310 vs Sony A290 Overview

Lets examine more closely at the Olympus TG-310 and Sony A290, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the TG-310 (14MP) and the A290 (14MP) is pretty similar but the TG-310 (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) possess different sensor measurements.

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The TG-310 was unveiled 8 months later than the A290 so they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus TG-310 being a Compact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go through a thorough comparison, below is a concise overview of how the TG-310 grades vs the A290 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-310 over the Sony A290

 TG-310 A290 
RevealedJanuary 2011June 2010Fresher by 8 months

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Olympus TG-310

 A290 TG-310 
Focus manually More precise focus

Common features in the Olympus TG-310 and Sony A290

 TG-310 A290 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension2.7"2.7"Identical screen measurements
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Olympus TG-310 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera, you will have to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus TG-310 comes with physical measurements of 96mm x 63mm x 23mm (3.8" x 2.5" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs) and the Sony A290 has proportions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Look at the Olympus TG-310 and Sony A290 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you select at that moment. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the TG-310 and the A290.

Olympus TG-310 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the TG-310 and A290 is 94 and 66 respectively.

Olympus TG-310 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-310 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its hard to picture the gap between sensor sizing only by reading specs. The graphic below will provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the TG-310 and A290.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras posses the exact same MP albeit different sensor sizing. The TG-310 has the tinier sensor which should make achieving bokeh more difficult. The more modern TG-310 provides an edge in sensor innovation.

Olympus TG-310 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-310 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-310 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus TG-310
Portrait photography with Sony A290
33
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
has face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
65
has manual focus
megapixel count good (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
no liveview feature
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-310 Street photography advice
Sony A290 Street photography advice
66
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
lighter than competition (155g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-310 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A290 as a Sports photography camera
40
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (14MP)
has tracking autofocus
weather sealing
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery power (150 per charge)
lacks phase detect AF
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
low fps (3.0 frames per second)
terrible battery life (290 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-310 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A290 as a Travel photography camera
67
lighter than competition (155 grams)
weather sealing
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse recording
low battery power (150 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
53
megapixel count good (14MP)
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
terrible battery life (290 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-310 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A290 as a Landscape photography camera
39
really wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (14MP)
weather sealing
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
low battery power (150 CIPA)
no Time Lapse recording
58
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no liveview feature
terrible battery life (290 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-310 Vlogging info
Sony A290 Vlogging info
32
really wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection focusing
lighter than competition (155 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic support
9
no video recording
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Olympus TG-310 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-310 and Sony A290
 Olympus TG-310Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model Olympus TG-310 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Category Waterproof Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2011-01-06 2010-06-09
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic III+ Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 28-102mm (3.6x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.9-5.9 -
Macro focus range 3cm -
Amount of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.20 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video format Motion JPEG -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected 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 155g (0.34 lbs) 549g (1.21 lbs)
Dimensions 96 x 63 x 23mm (3.8" x 2.5" x 0.9") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 66
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.5
DXO Low light score not tested 615
Other
Battery life 150 shots 290 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-42B NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $0 $600