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Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony A290

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
42
Overall
38
Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Olympus TG-2 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 - 111 x 67 x 29mm
  • Released June 2013
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
  • Announced June 2010
  • Previous Model is Sony A230
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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.

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The 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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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-2 iHS over the Sony A290

 TG-2 iHS A290 
AnnouncedJune 2013June 2010Newer by 38 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution610k230kCrisper 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 typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony A290 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS Portrait photography details
Sony A290 Portrait photography details
27
includes face detection autofocus
no manual focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
65
has manual focus
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
no liveview
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS Street photography advice
Sony A290 Street photography advice
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen does not articulate
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS Sports photography info
Sony A290 Sports photography info
40
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proofing
better than average battery power (350 shots)
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
no liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
low battery life (290 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS Travel photography info
Sony A290 Travel photography info
68
better than average battery power (350 shots)
environment proofing
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
lack of Timelapse function
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
53
decent megapixels (14MP)
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
low battery life (290 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A290 as a Landscape photography camera
46
fairly wide (25mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
better than average battery power (350 CIPA)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
manual mode not available
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
58
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no liveview
low battery life (290 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS Vlogging highlights
Sony A290 Vlogging highlights
36
fairly wide (25mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
lack of external microphone port
9
can't record video
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Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-2 iHS and Sony A290
 Olympus Tough TG-2 iHSSony 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