Olympus XZ-1 vs Sony W290
88 Imaging
35 Features
51 Overall
41


94 Imaging
34 Features
28 Overall
31
Olympus XZ-1 vs Sony W290 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
- 275g - 111 x 65 x 42mm
- Launched January 2011
(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
- Introduced February 2009

Olympus XZ-1 vs Sony W290 Overview
Lets look a bit more in depth at the Olympus XZ-1 vs Sony W290, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by competitors Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the XZ-1 (10MP) and the W290 (12MP) is pretty comparable but the XZ-1 (1/1.63") and W290 (1/2.3") provide different sensor sizing.

The XZ-1 was released 24 months later than the W290 which makes them a generation apart from one another. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before going straight to a thorough comparison, here is a simple overview of how the XZ-1 scores versus the W290 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Olympus XZ-1 vs Sony W290 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus XZ-1 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus XZ-1 Gallery and Sony W290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus XZ-1 over the Sony W290
XZ-1 | W290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2011 | ![]() | February 2009 | Fresher by 24 months |
Screen resolution | 614k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+384k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Olympus XZ-1
W290 | XZ-1 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus XZ-1 and Sony W290
XZ-1 | W290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Missing Touch screen |
Olympus XZ-1 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison
In case you're going to carry your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus XZ-1 features outer measurements of 111mm x 65mm x 42mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") with a weight of 275 grams (0.61 lbs) whilst the Sony W290 has sizing of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Analyze the Olympus XZ-1 vs Sony W290 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you choose at that moment. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the XZ-1 and the W290.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the XZ-1 and W290 is 88 and 94 respectively.

Olympus XZ-1 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it's tough to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing merely by checking out specifications. The visual below will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the XZ-1 and W290.
To sum up, both the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The XZ-1 because of its bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF less difficult and the Sony W290 will provide more detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs more aggressively. The younger XZ-1 should have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus XZ-1 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus XZ-1 vs Sony W290 Specifications
Olympus XZ-1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Sony |
Model type | Olympus XZ-1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Launched | 2011-01-26 | 2009-02-17 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | TruePic V | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/1.63" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 8.07 x 5.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 44.9mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 3664 x 2752 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-112mm (4.0x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
Max aperture | f/1.8-2.5 | f/3.3-5.2 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 10cm |
Focal length multiplier | 4.5 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 614 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display technology | OLED | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 60 seconds | 2 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 2.0fps | 2.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 8.60 m (ISO 800) | 3.90 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
Mic 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 | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 275 gr (0.61 lbs) | 167 gr (0.37 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 111 x 65 x 42mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") | 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 34 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | 18.8 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.4 | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | 117 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 320 shots | - |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | Li-50B | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail cost | $567 | $230 |