Clicky

Olympus TG-320 vs Sony A290

Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
33
Overall
35
Olympus TG-320 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Olympus TG-320 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Olympus TG-320
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-102mm (F3.5-5.1) lens
  • 155g - 96 x 63 x 23mm
  • Announced January 2012
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
  • Launched June 2010
  • Replaced the Sony A230
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Olympus TG-320 vs Sony A290 Overview

The following is a comprehensive comparison of the Olympus TG-320 versus Sony A290, one is a Waterproof and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the TG-320 (14MP) and the A290 (14MP) is relatively similar but the TG-320 (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) posses different sensor measurements.

Photography Glossary

The TG-320 was released 20 months after the A290 which makes them a generation away from one another. The two cameras feature different body design with the Olympus TG-320 being a Compact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going straight to a complete comparison, here is a quick summation of how the TG-320 matches up against the A290 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-320 over the Sony A290

 TG-320 A290 
LaunchedJanuary 2012June 2010Newer by 20 months

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Olympus TG-320

 A290 TG-320 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing

Common features in the Olympus TG-320 and Sony A290

 TG-320 A290 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size2.7"2.7"Same screen measurements
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Olympus TG-320 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera, you will have to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus TG-320 features outside 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) while the Sony A290 has specifications of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus TG-320 versus Sony A290 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you choose at that time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the TG-320 versus the A290.

Olympus TG-320 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the TG-320 and A290 is 94 and 66 respectively.

Olympus TG-320 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-320 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be hard to imagine the difference between sensor dimensions merely by going over specifications. The image underneath should give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the TG-320 and A290.

To sum up, both cameras feature the identical megapixel count albeit different sensor dimensions. The TG-320 features the tinier sensor which will make achieving shallow DOF more difficult. The fresher TG-320 provides an advantage in sensor tech.

Olympus TG-320 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-320 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-320 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-320 Portrait photography information
Sony A290 Portrait photography information
33
good MP (14MP)
has face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
65
has manual focus
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Street Comparison

Olympus TG-320 Street photography factors
Sony A290 Street photography factors
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
lighter than average (155 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no articulating screen
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-320 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A290 as a Sports photography camera
40
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (14MP)
has tracking focus
weather proof
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (150 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
max fps very slow (3.0 frames/s)
low battery life (290 CIPA)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-320 Travel photography factors
Sony A290 Travel photography factors
67
lighter than average (155g)
weather proof
good MP (14MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
not so great battery life (150 CIPA)
does not offer selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
53
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
no Timelapse recording
low battery life (290 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-320 Landscape photography details
Sony A290 Landscape photography details
39
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (14 megapixels)
weather proof
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7")
manual mode not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
not so great battery life (150 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse mode
58
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
doesn't have liveview
low battery life (290 per charge)
no Timelapse recording
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-320 Vlogging factors
Sony A290 Vlogging factors
32
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect focus
lighter than average (155g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not offer selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic support
9
lack of video recording
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Olympus TG-320 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-320 and Sony A290
 Olympus TG-320Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus TG-320 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Category Waterproof Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2012-01-10 2010-06-09
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III+ Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 28-102mm (3.6x) -
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.1 -
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Total lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.80 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 155g (0.34 lbs) 549g (1.21 lbs)
Physical 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 rating not tested 66
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.5
DXO Low light rating not tested 615
Other
Battery life 150 photos 290 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-42B NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $0 $600