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Olympus VG-110 vs Sony W290

Portability
97
Imaging
35
Features
20
Overall
29
Olympus VG-110 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
28
Overall
32

Olympus VG-110 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Olympus VG-110
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 27-108mm (F2.9-6.5) lens
  • 105g - 92 x 54 x 20mm
  • Launched February 2011
Sony W290
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 98 x 57 x 23mm
  • Released February 2009
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Olympus VG-110 vs Sony W290 Overview

Here is a detailed review of the Olympus VG-110 versus Sony W290, one being a Ultracompact and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the VG-110 (12MP) and the W290 (12MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras provide the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The VG-110 was revealed 2 years later than the W290 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus VG-110 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony W290 being a Compact camera.

Before getting right into a thorough comparison, here is a quick view of how the VG-110 grades versus the W290 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus VG-110 over the Sony W290

 VG-110 W290 
ReleasedFebruary 2011February 2009Fresher by 25 months

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Olympus VG-110

 W290 VG-110 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Olympus VG-110 and Sony W290

 VG-110 W290 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Olympus VG-110 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry your camera, you will have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus VG-110 has got external measurements of 92mm x 54mm x 20mm (3.6" x 2.1" x 0.8") and a weight of 105 grams (0.23 lbs) and the Sony W290 has proportions of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus VG-110 versus Sony W290 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 vary dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the VG-110 and the W290.

Olympus VG-110 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the VG-110 and W290 is 97 and 94 respectively.

Olympus VG-110 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VG-110 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to picture the difference between sensor sizing only by checking technical specs. The visual below should give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the VG-110 and W290.

As you have seen, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same exact resolution therefore you should expect similar quality of files although you may want to take the release date of the products into consideration. The younger VG-110 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus VG-110 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Olympus VG-110 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VG-110 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VG-110 Portrait photography information
Sony W290 Portrait photography information
26
offers face detect focus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
27
focusing manually
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus VG-110 Street photography advice
Sony W290 Street photography advice
48
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
56
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VG-110 Sports photography advice
Sony W290 Sports photography advice
24
offers tracking focus
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery (170 per charge)
no phase detect auto focus
25
image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VG-110 as a Travel photography camera
Sony W290 as a Travel photography camera
57
has built in flash
reasonably wide (27mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
terrible battery (170 CIPA)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.9)
57
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low resolution (12MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VG-110 Landscape photography info
Sony W290 Landscape photography info
27
reasonably wide (27mm)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.9)
tiny screen (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
terrible battery (170 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse recording
41
focusing manually
decently wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not available
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VG-110 as a Vlogging camera
Sony W290 as a Vlogging camera
28
reasonably wide (27mm)
offers face detect focus
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.9)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of microphone socket
28
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic support
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Olympus VG-110 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VG-110 and Sony W290
 Olympus VG-110Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus VG-110 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Type Ultracompact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2011-02-08 2009-02-17
Physical type Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3968 x 2976 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 27-108mm (4.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.9-6.5 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range 1cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 2s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate - 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.70 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in 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
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4 MPEG-4
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 105g (0.23 lbs) 167g (0.37 lbs)
Physical dimensions 92 x 54 x 20mm (3.6" x 2.1" x 0.8") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 170 photos -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-70B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $150 $230