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Olympus VG-120 vs Sony W290

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Olympus VG-120 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
28
Overall
32

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Olympus VG-120
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 120g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Released January 2011
Sony W290
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 98 x 57 x 23mm
  • Introduced February 2009
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Olympus VG-120 vs Sony W290 Overview

Here is a in-depth assessment of the Olympus VG-120 vs Sony W290, one being a Ultracompact and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the VG-120 (14MP) and the W290 (12MP) is very comparable and they enjoy the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The VG-120 was revealed 23 months later than the W290 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus VG-120 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony W290 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the VG-120 grades versus the W290 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VG-120 over the Sony W290

 VG-120 W290 
IntroducedJanuary 2011February 2009Fresher by 23 months

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Olympus VG-120

 W290 VG-120 
Manually focus More exact focus

Common features in the Olympus VG-120 and Sony W290

 VG-120 W290 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus VG-120 enjoys outside measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 120 grams (0.26 lbs) whilst the Sony W290 has dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check the Olympus VG-120 vs Sony W290 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have at that time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the VG-120 vs the W290.

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the VG-120 and W290 is 96 and 94 respectively.

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to envision the difference in sensor sizing merely by checking out a spec sheet. The photograph underneath will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the VG-120 and W290.

Clearly, each of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Olympus VG-120 to provide greater detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will help you crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The newer VG-120 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VG-120 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Portrait photography info
Sony W290 Portrait photography info
33
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
provides face detection focus
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
27
has manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Street photography features
Sony W290 Street photography features
48
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VG-120 as a Sports photography camera
Sony W290 as a Sports photography camera
26
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery (160 CIPA)
lack of phase detect auto focus
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Travel photography factors
Sony W290 Travel photography factors
62
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (26mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
bad battery (160 shots)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
57
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
low megapixels (12MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Landscape photography info
Sony W290 Landscape photography info
36
rather wide (26mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual mode
no image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
bad battery (160 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse mode
41
has manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual exposure
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VG-120 as a Vlogging camera
Sony W290 as a Vlogging camera
28
rather wide (26mm)
provides face detection focus
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone support
28
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone socket
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Olympus VG-120 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VG-120 and Sony W290
 Olympus VG-120Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model Olympus VG-120 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Class Ultracompact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-01-06 2009-02-17
Physical type Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-6.5 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance 7cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 2s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate - 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.40 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 120 grams (0.26 pounds) 167 grams (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 160 shots -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model LI-70B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $190 $230