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Olympus TG-6 vs Sony A290

Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
54
Overall
45
Olympus Tough TG-6 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Olympus TG-6 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Olympus TG-6
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 253g - 113 x 66 x 32mm
  • Announced May 2019
  • Older Model is Olympus TG-5
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
  • Launched June 2010
  • Superseded the Sony A230
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Olympus TG-6 vs Sony A290 Overview

Following is a extended analysis of the Olympus TG-6 and Sony A290, one is a Waterproof and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the TG-6 (12MP) and the A290 (14MP) is pretty well matched but the TG-6 (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

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The TG-6 was released 9 years after the A290 which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus TG-6 being a Compact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the TG-6 scores vs the A290 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-6 over the Sony A290

 TG-6 A290 
LaunchedMay 2019June 2010More modern by 109 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1040k230kSharper screen (+810k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Olympus TG-6

 A290 TG-6 

Common features in the Olympus TG-6 and Sony A290

 TG-6 A290 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Olympus TG-6 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera frequently, you have to factor its weight and size. The Olympus TG-6 comes with outside measurements of 113mm x 66mm x 32mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") and a weight of 253 grams (0.56 lbs) while the Sony A290 has specifications 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-6 and Sony A290 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you use during that time. Here is the front view size comparison of the TG-6 and the A290.

Olympus TG-6 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the TG-6 and A290 is 90 and 66 respectively.

Olympus TG-6 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-6 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes purely by checking specs. The picture underneath might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the TG-6 and A290.

All in all, both the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The TG-6 due to its tinier sensor will make getting shallow DOF trickier and the Sony A290 will resolve greater detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more modern TG-6 will have an edge in sensor tech.

Olympus TG-6 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-6 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-6 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus TG-6
Portrait photography with Sony A290
40
manual focus
provides face detection focus
exports RAW formats
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
65
has manual focus
decent MP (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-6 as a Street photography camera
Sony A290 as a Street photography camera
65
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
more heavy than others in class (253 grams)
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is fixed
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-6 Sports photography info
Sony A290 Sports photography info
47
max frames per second high (20.0 frames per second)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proof
better than average battery power (340 CIPA)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
max frames per second very slow (3.0 fps)
low battery (290 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-6 Travel photography information
Sony A290 Travel photography information
68
better than average battery power (340 per charge)
weather proof
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
more heavy than others in class (253 grams)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
53
decent MP (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low battery (290 CIPA)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-6 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A290 as a Landscape photography camera
57
manual focus
decently wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
better than average battery power (340 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
no manual exposure
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
58
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
doesn't have liveview
low battery (290 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-6 Vlogging highlights
Sony A290 Vlogging highlights
34
decently wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
doesn't have external microphone socket
more heavy than others in class (253g)
9
can't record video
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Olympus TG-6 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-6 and Sony A290
 Olympus Tough TG-6Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus Tough TG-6 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Type Waterproof Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2019-05-22 2010-06-09
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VIII 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 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
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 AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.0-4.9 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Available lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 1,040k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 20.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, Red Eye Reduction, Slow sync. (1st curtain), Red-eye Slow sync. (1st curtain), Fill- in, Manual, Flash Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PC -
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 253g (0.56 pounds) 549g (1.21 pounds)
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 All around 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 images 290 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-92B NP-FH50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I support) Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $449 $600