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Olympus VG-145 vs Sony A290

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Olympus VG-145 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Olympus VG-145 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Olympus VG-145
(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
  • Released July 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
  • Older Model is Sony A230
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Olympus VG-145 vs Sony A290 Overview

Here is a extended comparison of the Olympus VG-145 vs Sony A290, former being a Ultracompact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the VG-145 (14MP) and the A290 (14MP) is pretty well matched but the VG-145 (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor sizing.

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The VG-145 was revealed 14 months later than the A290 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus VG-145 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going into a in-depth comparison, here is a short introduction of how the VG-145 grades vs the A290 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VG-145 over the Sony A290

 VG-145 A290 
LaunchedJuly 2011June 2010Fresher by 14 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Olympus VG-145

 A290 VG-145 
Manually focus Very precise focus

Common features in the Olympus VG-145 and Sony A290

 VG-145 A290 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Olympus VG-145 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera frequently, you will have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus VG-145 comes with outer measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") having a weight of 120 grams (0.26 lbs) while the Sony A290 has proportions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") and a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Check the Olympus VG-145 vs Sony A290 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the VG-145 and the A290.

Olympus VG-145 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the VG-145 and A290 is 96 and 66 respectively.

Olympus VG-145 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VG-145 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its hard to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing only by reading through technical specs. The graphic below may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the VG-145 and A290.

As you have seen, each of the cameras have the same megapixel count albeit not the same sensor sizing. The VG-145 offers the tinier sensor which will make achieving shallow DOF tougher. The fresher VG-145 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus VG-145 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Olympus VG-145 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VG-145 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VG-145 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A290 as a Portrait photography camera
33
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
supports face detect focusing
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
65
you can focus manually
MP count good (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection focus
saves RAW files
does not have liveview
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus VG-145 Street photography advice
Sony A290 Street photography advice
48
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VG-145 Sports photography factors
Sony A290 Sports photography factors
26
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
bad battery power (160 shots)
no phase detect AF
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
max fps low (3.0 frames per second)
terrible battery (290 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VG-145 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A290 as a Travel photography camera
62
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (26mm)
no Time Lapse mode
bad battery power (160 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
53
MP count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
no Timelapse function
terrible battery (290 CIPA)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VG-145 Landscape photography features
Sony A290 Landscape photography features
36
really wide (26mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not possible
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
bad battery power (160 shots)
no Time Lapse mode
58
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
tiny screen (2.7")
does not have liveview
terrible battery (290 per charge)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VG-145 Vlogging features
Sony A290 Vlogging features
28
really wide (26mm)
supports face detect focusing
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic port
9
can't record video
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Olympus VG-145 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VG-145 and Sony A290
 Olympus VG-145Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model Olympus VG-145 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Class Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2011-07-27 2010-06-09
Body design Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 14 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4288 x 3216 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) -
Largest aperture f/2.8-6.5 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed - 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt 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
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 120g (0.26 pounds) 549g (1.21 pounds)
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 pictures 290 pictures
Battery form 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 Single Single
Cost at launch $0 $600