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Olympus TG-3 vs Sony W290

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
46
Overall
42
Olympus Tough TG-3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Olympus TG-3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 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
  • 247g - 112 x 66 x 31mm
  • Announced March 2014
  • Refreshed by Olympus TG-4
Sony W290
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 98 x 57 x 23mm
  • Announced February 2009
Photography Glossary

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony W290 Overview

Here is a in depth review of the Olympus TG-3 versus Sony W290, one being a Waterproof and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Sony. There is a crucial difference between the sensor resolutions of the TG-3 (16MP) and W290 (12MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The TG-3 was launched 5 years later than the W290 and that is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a thorough comparison, here is a quick overview of how the TG-3 grades against the W290 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-3 over the Sony W290

 TG-3 W290 
AnnouncedMarch 2014February 2009Fresher by 63 months
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Olympus TG-3

 W290 TG-3 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing

Common features in the Olympus TG-3 and Sony W290

 TG-3 W290 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurement
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus TG-3 has got external dimensions of 112mm x 66mm x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") with a weight of 247 grams (0.54 lbs) and the Sony W290 has sizing of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Look at the Olympus TG-3 versus Sony W290 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the TG-3 and the W290.

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the TG-3 and W290 is 90 and 94 respectively.

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is tough to visualise the difference between sensor sizing simply by looking at specs. The photograph here may offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the TG-3 and W290.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same megapixels. You should anticipate the Olympus TG-3 to give greater detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop images way more aggressively. The younger TG-3 will have an advantage in sensor technology.

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-3 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Portrait photography details
Sony W290 Portrait photography details
37
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
supports face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
27
manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Street photography advice
Sony W290 Street photography advice
59
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proofing
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
more heavy than others in class (247g)
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Sports photography advice
Sony W290 Sports photography advice
47
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proofing
better than average battery (330 per charge)
low frames per second (5.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Travel photography highlights
Sony W290 Travel photography highlights
74
better than average battery (330 shots)
weather proofing
resolution is good (16MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
more heavy than others in class (247g)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
57
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
low MP (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Landscape photography highlights
Sony W290 Landscape photography highlights
56
quite wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
weather proofing
better than average battery (330 per charge)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
41
manual focus
really wide (28mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus TG-3
Vlogging with Sony W290
34
quite wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
missing external microphone socket
more heavy than others in class (247g)
28
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone jack
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Olympus TG-3 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-3 and Sony W290
 Olympus Tough TG-3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus Tough TG-3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Type Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2014-03-31 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VII -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 9
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 1cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT-LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 2 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off, LED Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 247 grams (0.54 lb) 167 grams (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 112 x 66 x 31mm (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 330 photos -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-92B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $350 $230