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Olympus TG-5 vs Sony A290

Portability
90
Imaging
38
Features
51
Overall
43
Olympus Tough TG-5 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Olympus TG-5 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Olympus TG-5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 12800)
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 250g - 113 x 66 x 32mm
  • Revealed May 2017
  • Older Model is Olympus TG-4
  • Newer Model is Olympus TG-6
Sony A290
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Revealed June 2010
  • Succeeded the Sony A230
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Olympus TG-5 vs Sony A290 Overview

In this write-up, we are analyzing the Olympus TG-5 and Sony A290, one being a Waterproof and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the TG-5 (12MP) and the A290 (14MP) is very similar but the TG-5 (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) come with different sensor sizes.

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The TG-5 was released 7 years later than the A290 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus TG-5 being a Compact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go through a more detailed comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the TG-5 grades against the A290 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-5 over the Sony A290

 TG-5 A290 
RevealedMay 2017June 2010More recent by 85 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Olympus TG-5

 A290 TG-5 

Common features in the Olympus TG-5 and Sony A290

 TG-5 A290 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Olympus TG-5 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

If you're going to lug around your camera often, you'll have to consider its weight and size. The Olympus TG-5 offers outside dimensions of 113mm x 66mm x 32mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") along with a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Sony A290 has specifications 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-5 and Sony A290 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have at that moment. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the TG-5 against the A290.

Olympus TG-5 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the TG-5 and A290 is 90 and 66 respectively.

Olympus TG-5 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-5 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to imagine the difference between sensor measurements just by reading specifications. The graphic underneath may provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the TG-5 and A290.

Plainly, each of these cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The TG-5 featuring a tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field harder and the Sony A290 will offer you extra detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos far more aggressively. The fresher TG-5 should have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus TG-5 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-5 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-5 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-5 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A290 as a Portrait photography camera
39
has manual focus
comes with face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
manual mode not available
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
65
has manual focus
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
no liveview
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-5 Street photography factors
Sony A290 Street photography factors
64
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
heavier than competition (250g)
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-5 Sports photography factors
Sony A290 Sports photography factors
46
fast continuous shooting (20.0 frames/s)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proofing
great battery pack (340 per charge)
no shutter priority
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
55
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
no liveview
slow fps (3.0 frames/s)
bad battery life (290 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus TG-5
Travel photography with Sony A290
68
great battery pack (340 per charge)
weather proofing
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
heavier than competition (250g)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
53
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
bad battery life (290 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus TG-5
Landscape photography with Sony A290
57
has manual focus
really wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
great battery pack (340 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
manual mode not available
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
58
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is small (2.7")
no liveview
bad battery life (290 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-5 Vlogging info
Sony A290 Vlogging info
34
really wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic socket
heavier than competition (250g)
9
no video
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Olympus TG-5 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-5 and Sony A290
 Olympus Tough TG-5Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus Tough TG-5 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Type Waterproof Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2017-05-17 2010-06-09
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VIII 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 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 12800 3200
Highest enhanced ISO 12800 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Minimum enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) -
Max aperture f/2.0-4.9 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Total lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 20.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, redeye slow sync, fill, manual, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM -
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
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 Built-in None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 250 grams (0.55 lb) 549 grams (1.21 lb)
Dimensions 113 x 66 x 32mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 66
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.5
DXO Low light rating not tested 615
Other
Battery life 340 pictures 290 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-92B NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I compatible) Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $449 $600