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Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony A290

Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36
Olympus TG-820 iHS front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Olympus TG-820 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.9-5.9) lens
  • 206g - 101 x 65 x 26mm
  • Revealed February 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
  • Succeeded the Sony A230
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Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony A290 Overview

Below, we will be comparing the Olympus TG-820 iHS versus Sony A290, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the TG-820 iHS (12MP) and the A290 (14MP) is pretty well matched but the TG-820 iHS (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor measurements.

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The TG-820 iHS was manufactured 21 months later than the A290 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus TG-820 iHS being a Compact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going in to a more detailed comparison, below is a concise view of how the TG-820 iHS matches up versus the A290 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-820 iHS over the Sony A290

 TG-820 iHS A290 
LaunchedFebruary 2012June 2010More recent by 21 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1030k230kClearer screen (+800k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Olympus TG-820 iHS

 A290 TG-820 iHS 
Focus manually More accurate focusing

Common features in the Olympus TG-820 iHS and Sony A290

 TG-820 iHS A290 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to lug around your camera frequently, you have to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus TG-820 iHS has outer measurements of 101mm x 65mm x 26mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.0") and a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs) whilst 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-820 iHS versus Sony A290 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are working with at the time. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the TG-820 iHS versus the A290.

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony A290 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the TG-820 iHS and A290 is 92 and 66 respectively.

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be tough to visualise the gap between sensor measurements only by looking at technical specs. The photograph here might provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the TG-820 iHS and A290.

As you can tell, both of these cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The TG-820 iHS due to its tinier sensor will make shooting shallow DOF more challenging and the Sony A290 will give you extra detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The younger TG-820 iHS is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-820 iHS Portrait photography info
Sony A290 Portrait photography info
27
features face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
65
you can focus manually
good resolution (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detect focus
saves RAW files
does not have liveview
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-820 iHS Street photography details
Sony A290 Street photography details
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proof
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-820 iHS Sports photography info
Sony A290 Sports photography info
34
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features tracking autofocus
environment proof
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery (220 shots)
has no phase detect autofocus
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
low battery (290 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-820 iHS Travel photography advice
Sony A290 Travel photography advice
59
environment proof
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse recording
bad battery (220 shots)
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
53
good resolution (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
no Timelapse function
low battery (290 CIPA)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-820 iHS as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A290 as a Landscape photography camera
38
pretty wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proof
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
no manual control
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
bad battery (220 CIPA)
missing Timelapse recording
58
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
does not have liveview
low battery (290 per charge)
no Timelapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-820 iHS as a Vlogging camera
Sony A290 as a Vlogging camera
33
pretty wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing external microphone socket
9
lack of video recording
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Olympus TG-820 iHS vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-820 iHS and Sony A290
 Olympus TG-820 iHSSony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model Olympus TG-820 iHS Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Category Waterproof Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2012-02-08 2010-06-09
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VI Bionz
Sensor type CMOS 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 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3968 x 2976 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.9-5.9 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Available lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 1,030k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech HyperCrystal III TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.50 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps)1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 206g (0.45 pounds) 549g (1.21 pounds)
Dimensions 101 x 65 x 26mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.0") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 220 photographs 290 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $500 $600