Olympus TG-6 vs Sony A290
90 Imaging
39 Features
54 Overall
45
66 Imaging
54 Features
47 Overall
51
Olympus TG-6 vs Sony A290 Key Specs
(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
(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- Superseded the Sony A230
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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.
Photography GlossaryThe 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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This is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus Tough TG-6 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A290. The complete galleries are available at Olympus TG-6 Gallery and Sony A290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus TG-6 over the Sony A290
| TG-6 | A290 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | May 2019 |  | June 2010 | More modern by 109 months |
| Screen sizing | 3" |  | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
| Screen resolution | 1040k |  | 230k | Sharper 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 type | Fixed |  | 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.
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.
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 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 Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus TG-6 vs Sony A290 Specifications
| Olympus Tough TG-6 | Sony 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 |
