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Olympus VG-120 vs Sony A290

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Olympus VG-120 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Olympus VG-120
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 120g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Launched January 2011
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
  • Previous Model is Sony A230
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Olympus VG-120 vs Sony A290 Overview

The following is a comprehensive comparison of the Olympus VG-120 vs Sony A290, one is a Ultracompact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the VG-120 (14MP) and the A290 (14MP) is pretty similar but the VG-120 (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) have different sensor measurements.

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The VG-120 was introduced 8 months after the A290 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus VG-120 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving straight to a full comparison, here is a simple summary of how the VG-120 grades vs the A290 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VG-120 over the Sony A290

 VG-120 A290 
LaunchedJanuary 2011June 2010Newer by 8 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Olympus VG-120

 A290 VG-120 
Manual focus Very accurate focus

Common features in the Olympus VG-120 and Sony A290

 VG-120 A290 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus VG-120 features exterior dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 120 grams (0.26 lbs) whilst 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).

Contrast the Olympus VG-120 vs Sony A290 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the VG-120 and the A290.

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the VG-120 and A290 is 96 and 66 respectively.

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to picture the gap between sensor dimensions simply by going over technical specs. The image below might offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the VG-120 and A290.

As you have seen, each of these cameras come with the identical resolution albeit different sensor dimensions. The VG-120 features the tinier sensor which is going to make obtaining shallower depth of field trickier. The younger VG-120 provides a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Portrait photography details
Sony A290 Portrait photography details
33
decent MP (14 megapixels)
has face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
65
you can focus manually
good resolution (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect focusing
saves RAW files
no liveview
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Street Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Street photography info
Sony A290 Street photography info
48
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Sports photography highlights
Sony A290 Sports photography highlights
26
decent MP (14MP)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery (160 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
55
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
no liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
terrible battery (290 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VG-120 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A290 as a Travel photography camera
62
decent MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (26mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
low battery (160 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
53
good resolution (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
no Timelapse mode
terrible battery (290 per charge)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus VG-120 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A290 as a Landscape photography camera
36
rather wide (26mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
decent MP (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual mode
no image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
low battery (160 per charge)
missing Time Lapse mode
58
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no liveview
terrible battery (290 per charge)
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Vlogging info
Sony A290 Vlogging info
28
rather wide (26mm)
has face detection focus
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic socket
9
no video shooting
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Olympus VG-120 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VG-120 and Sony A290
 Olympus VG-120Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model Olympus VG-120 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Type Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2011-01-06 2010-06-09
Body design Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4288 x 3216 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8-6.5 -
Macro focus range 7cm -
Total lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.40 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video format Motion JPEG -
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 120 gr (0.26 lbs) 549 gr (1.21 lbs)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 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 160 images 290 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-70B NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $190 $600