Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony A290
91 Imaging
36 Features
42 Overall
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66 Imaging
54 Features
47 Overall
51
Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony A290 Key Specs
(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 - 111 x 67 x 29mm
- Released June 2013
(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
- Announced June 2010
- Previous Model is Sony A230
Photography Glossary Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony A290 Overview
Let's take a closer look at the Olympus TG-2 iHS 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-2 iHS (12MP) and the A290 (14MP) is pretty similar but the TG-2 iHS (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) feature different sensor sizing.
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe TG-2 iHS was launched 3 years after the A290 which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Olympus TG-2 iHS being a Compact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before we go straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a short view of how the TG-2 iHS matches up versus the A290 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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Below is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS and Sony Alpha DSLR-A290. The complete galleries are available at Olympus TG-2 iHS Gallery and Sony A290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus TG-2 iHS over the Sony A290
| TG-2 iHS | A290 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | June 2013 |  | June 2010 | Newer by 38 months |
| Screen dimension | 3" |  | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
| Screen resolution | 610k |  | 230k | Crisper screen (+380k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Olympus TG-2 iHS
| A290 | TG-2 iHS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus |  | More accurate focusing |
Common features in the Olympus TG-2 iHS and Sony A290
| TG-2 iHS | A290 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Fixed |  | Fixed | Fixed screen |
| Selfie screen |  | Absent selfie screen | ||
| Touch screen |  | Absent Touch screen |
Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison
When you are going to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus TG-2 iHS has got external dimensions of 111mm x 67mm x 29mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.1") having a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs) whilst the Sony A290 has measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).
See the Olympus TG-2 iHS versus Sony A290 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at the time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the TG-2 iHS compared to the A290.
Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the TG-2 iHS and A290 is 91 and 66 respectively.
Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it is very difficult to picture the difference between sensor dimensions simply by reviewing technical specs. The pic underneath should provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the TG-2 iHS and A290.
As you can tell, both cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The TG-2 iHS due to its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF trickier and the Sony A290 will offer extra detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures much more aggressively. The newer TG-2 iHS should have a benefit in sensor innovation.
Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony A290 Specifications
| Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Manufacturer | Olympus | Sony |
| Model | Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 |
| Class | Waterproof | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Released | 2013-06-28 | 2010-06-09 |
| Physical type | Compact | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor Chip | - | Bionz |
| Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
| Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 23.5 x 15.7mm |
| Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 369.0mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 12MP | 14MP |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Max resolution | 3968 x 2976 | 4592 x 3056 |
| Max native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
| Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW support | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| AF touch | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| Single AF | ||
| Tracking AF | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| Center weighted AF | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detection focusing | ||
| Contract detection focusing | ||
| Phase detection focusing | ||
| Number of focus points | - | 9 |
| Cross focus points | - | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Lens focal range | 25-100mm (4.0x) | - |
| Highest aperture | f/2.0-4.9 | - |
| Macro focus distance | 1cm | - |
| Total lenses | - | 143 |
| Crop factor | 5.8 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen size | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
| Resolution of screen | 610 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch capability | ||
| Screen technology | OLED | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | 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 rate | 5.0fps | 3.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
| Custom WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash range | - | 10.00 m (at ISO 100) |
| Flash options | - | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Fastest flash synchronize | - | 1/160 secs |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment | ||
| Average | ||
| Spot | ||
| Partial | ||
| AF area | ||
| Center weighted | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 | - |
| Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
| Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | - |
| Mic support | ||
| Headphone support | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | None |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | BuiltIn | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environment sealing | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 230g (0.51 pounds) | 549g (1.21 pounds) |
| Dimensions | 111 x 67 x 29mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.1") | 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 | 350 images | 290 images |
| Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | Li-90B | NP-FH50 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 and 12 sec, Pet Auto Shutter) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Type of storage | - | Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC |
| Card slots | Single | Single |
| Launch price | $380 | $600 |