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Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Sony W290

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
40
Overall
37
Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Olympus TG-1 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 230g - 112 x 67 x 30mm
  • Released May 2012
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
  • Revealed February 2009
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Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Sony W290 Overview

Below, we will be evaluating the Olympus TG-1 iHS versus Sony W290, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the TG-1 iHS (12MP) and the W290 (12MP) is pretty well matched and they possess the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The TG-1 iHS was unveiled 3 years later than the W290 and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a in depth comparison, below is a quick summary of how the TG-1 iHS matches up against the W290 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-1 iHS over the Sony W290

 TG-1 iHS W290 
RevealedMay 2012February 2009More recent by 40 months
Screen resolution610k230kCrisper screen (+380k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Olympus TG-1 iHS

 W290 TG-1 iHS 
Manual focus Very precise focus

Common features in the Olympus TG-1 iHS and Sony W290

 TG-1 iHS W290 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to lug around your camera, you are going to need to consider its weight and size. The Olympus TG-1 iHS enjoys physical dimensions of 112mm x 67mm x 30mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs) while the Sony W290 has specifications of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check the Olympus TG-1 iHS versus Sony W290 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are using at the time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the TG-1 iHS versus the W290.

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Sony W290 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the TG-1 iHS and W290 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very hard to visualise the difference between sensor measurements simply by checking technical specs. The photograph here will give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the TG-1 iHS and W290.

As you have seen, both of those cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the exact same MP and you can expect similar quality of photos although you might want to consider the age of the products into consideration. The fresher TG-1 iHS will have a benefit in sensor technology.

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-1 iHS Portrait photography highlights
Sony W290 Portrait photography highlights
27
comes with face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
27
you can focus manually
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-1 iHS as a Street photography camera
Sony W290 as a Street photography camera
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus TG-1 iHS
Sports photography with Sony W290
40
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather sealing
better than average battery pack (350 CIPA)
continuous shooting slow (3.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-1 iHS Travel photography information
Sony W290 Travel photography information
68
better than average battery pack (350 shots)
weather sealing
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
57
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-1 iHS Landscape photography advice
Sony W290 Landscape photography advice
46
rather wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
better than average battery pack (350 CIPA)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
manual mode not available
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse recording
41
you can focus manually
rather wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not available
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus TG-1 iHS
Vlogging with Sony W290
36
rather wide (25mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone support
28
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic port
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Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-1 iHS and Sony W290
 Olympus Tough TG-1 iHSSony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Released 2012-05-08 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VI -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3968 x 2976 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range - 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 610 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 2 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 3.90 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 230g (0.51 lbs) 167g (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 112 x 67 x 30mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") 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 350 photographs -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI90B -
Self timer Yes (2 and 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media - Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $399 $230