• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800

Buy From

Differences

Sony DSC-W290 advantages over Olympus AIR

  • Rear display
    Yes vs No
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Less expensive
    $249 vs $500 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 43 mm
    Thinner
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 23 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Olympus AIR advantages over Sony DSC-W290

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Newer
    9 years vs 16 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    4 vs 2 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 1.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/1600 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Common Weaknesses

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Neither provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSC-W170

Sony DSC-W290
Sony DSC-W170
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels
  • $225
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Sony DSC-W290 vs Sony DSC-W170

Olympus AIR
Sony DSC-W170
  • $300
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $225
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compare Olympus AIR vs Sony DSC-W170

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FS25S

Sony DSC-W290
Panasonic DMC-FS25S
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $175
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer exposure
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Sony DSC-W290 vs Panasonic DMC-FS25S

Olympus AIR
Panasonic DMC-FS25S
  • $300
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $175
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compare Olympus AIR vs Panasonic DMC-FS25S

Compared to Canon SD970 IS

Sony DSC-W290
Canon SD970 IS
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • HDMI out

Compare Sony DSC-W290 vs Canon SD970 IS

Olympus AIR
Canon SD970 IS
  • $300
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compare Olympus AIR vs Canon SD970 IS

Compared to Panasonic GM1

Sony DSC-W290
Panasonic GM1
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $479
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Sony DSC-W290 vs Panasonic GM1

Olympus AIR
Panasonic GM1
  • $300
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $479
  • 4/3
  • Rear display
  • Touchscreen

Compare Olympus AIR vs Panasonic GM1

Compared to YI M1

Sony DSC-W290
YI M1
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $199
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Sony DSC-W290 vs YI M1

Olympus AIR
YI M1
  • $300
  • 4/3
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • Faster shutter
  • $199
  • 4/3
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compare Olympus AIR vs YI M1

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