Olympus TG-4 vs Sony A290
90 Imaging
40 Features
51 Overall
44
66 Imaging
53 Features
47 Overall
50
Olympus TG-4 vs Sony A290 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
- 247g - 112 x 66 x 31mm
- Launched April 2015
- Superseded the Olympus TG-3
- Replacement is Olympus TG-5
(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
- Replaced the Sony A230
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone Olympus TG-4 vs Sony A290 Overview
Let's look more closely at the Olympus TG-4 and Sony A290, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the TG-4 (16MP) and the A290 (14MP) is relatively well matched but the TG-4 (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor dimensions.
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthThe TG-4 was released 4 years after the A290 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus TG-4 being a Compact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before we go straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the TG-4 matches up against the A290 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
Photography Glossary Olympus TG-4 vs Sony A290 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus Tough TG-4 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A290. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus TG-4 Gallery & Sony A290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus TG-4 over the Sony A290
| TG-4 | A290 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | April 2015 |  | June 2010 | Newer by 59 months |
| Screen dimensions | 3" |  | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
| Screen resolution | 460k |  | 230k | Crisper screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Olympus TG-4
| A290 | TG-4 |
|---|
Common features in the Olympus TG-4 and Sony A290
| TG-4 | A290 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus |  | More exact focusing | ||
| Screen type | Fixed |  | Fixed | Fixed screen |
| Selfie screen |  | Lacking selfie screen | ||
| Touch friendly screen |  | Lacking Touch friendly screen |
Olympus TG-4 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison
In case you're aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus TG-4 has physical measurements of 112mm x 66mm x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") having a weight of 247 grams (0.54 lbs) and the Sony A290 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") having a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).
See the Olympus TG-4 and Sony A290 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are working with at that time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the TG-4 vs the A290.
Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the TG-4 and A290 is 90 and 66 respectively.
Olympus TG-4 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is tough to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions purely by looking at a spec sheet. The pic underneath may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the TG-4 and A290.
As you can see, both cameras have different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The TG-4 because of its tinier sensor will make getting shallow DOF harder and the Olympus TG-4 will resolve more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will let you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The younger TG-4 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.
Olympus TG-4 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus TG-4 vs Sony A290 Specifications
| Olympus Tough TG-4 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Manufacturer | Olympus | Sony |
| Model | Olympus Tough TG-4 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 |
| Class | Waterproof | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Launched | 2015-04-13 | 2010-06-09 |
| Physical type | Compact | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Powered by | TruePic VII | Bionz |
| Sensor type | BSI-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 | 16MP | 14MP |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Full resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4592 x 3056 |
| Max native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
| Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW data | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| AF touch | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| AF single | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detect AF | ||
| Contract detect AF | ||
| Phase detect AF | ||
| Number of focus points | 25 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Lens focal range | 25-100mm (4.0x) | - |
| Max aperture | f/2.0-4.9 | - |
| Macro focus range | 1cm | - |
| Number of lenses | - | 143 |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Display sizing | 3 inch | 2.7 inch |
| Resolution of display | 460k dots | 230k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch operation | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder coverage | - | 95 percent |
| Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.55x |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 4 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
| Continuous shooting rate | 5.0 frames per second | 3.0 frames per second |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
| Change WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash range | 7.90 m (at ISO 1600) | 10.00 m (at ISO 100) |
| Flash options | Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off, LED | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
| External flash | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Highest flash synchronize | - | 1/160 seconds |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment metering | ||
| Average metering | ||
| Spot metering | ||
| Partial metering | ||
| AF area metering | ||
| Center weighted metering | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | - |
| Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
| Video format | H.264, Motion JPEG | - |
| Microphone support | ||
| Headphone support | ||
| 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 sealing | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 247g (0.54 lb) | 549g (1.21 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 112 x 66 x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") | 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 | 380 photographs | 290 photographs |
| Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | LI-92B | NP-FH50 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Type of storage | SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory | Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC |
| Card slots | 1 | 1 |
| Retail pricing | $379 | $600 |