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Olympus TG-810 vs Sony W290

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
37
Overall
37
Olympus TG-810 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Olympus TG-810 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Olympus TG-810
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.9-5.9) lens
  • 215g - 100 x 65 x 26mm
  • Released August 2011
Sony W290
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 98 x 57 x 23mm
  • Released February 2009
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Olympus TG-810 vs Sony W290 Overview

Its time to look a bit more closely at the Olympus TG-810 versus Sony W290, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the TG-810 (14MP) and the W290 (12MP) is pretty similar and they come with the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The TG-810 was announced 2 years later than the W290 and that is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the TG-810 matches up against the W290 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-810 over the Sony W290

 TG-810 W290 
ReleasedAugust 2011February 2009More recent by 31 months
Screen resolution920k230kCrisper screen (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Olympus TG-810

 W290 TG-810 
Focus manually More accurate focus

Common features in the Olympus TG-810 and Sony W290

 TG-810 W290 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Olympus TG-810 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you need to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus TG-810 provides external measurements of 100mm x 65mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.6" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 215 grams (0.47 lbs) while the Sony W290 has specifications of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus TG-810 versus Sony W290 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using during that time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the TG-810 compared to the W290.

Olympus TG-810 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the TG-810 and W290 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Olympus TG-810 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-810 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be difficult to picture the contrast between sensor measurements simply by reviewing technical specs. The photograph below might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the TG-810 and W290.

As you have seen, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Olympus TG-810 to offer you greater detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs far more aggressively. The newer TG-810 should have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Olympus TG-810 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-810 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-810 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus TG-810
Portrait photography with Sony W290
33
decent MP (14MP)
has face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
27
you can focus manually
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-810 Street photography details
Sony W290 Street photography details
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment sealing
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus TG-810
Sports photography with Sony W290
40
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (14MP)
has tracking focus
environment sealing
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (220 per charge)
has no phase detect auto focus
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-810 Travel photography highlights
Sony W290 Travel photography highlights
64
environment sealing
decent MP (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
not so great battery life (220 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
57
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse mode
MP count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus TG-810
Landscape photography with Sony W290
43
rather wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
environment sealing
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
manual mode not available
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
not so great battery life (220 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
41
you can focus manually
rather wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not possible
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus TG-810
Vlogging with Sony W290
30
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect focus
slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic socket
28
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic support
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Olympus TG-810 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-810 and Sony W290
 Olympus TG-810Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus TG-810 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-08-16 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III+ -
Sensor type CCD 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 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.9-5.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range 3cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 920 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 2s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.20 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 215g (0.47 pounds) 167g (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 100 x 65 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.6" x 1.0") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 220 photos -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $428 $230