• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 226.2mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Sony DSC-W290 advantages over Olympus E-M1 Mark III

  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 68 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    174g vs 580g
    Lighter weight

Olympus E-M1 Mark III 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.
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.36 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs No
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • 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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    5 years vs 16 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    20.4 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 2 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/1600 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Common Weaknesses

  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Buy the Olympus E-M1 Mark III

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
Olympus E-M1 Mark III
Sony DSC-W170
  • $1649
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $225
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Thinner

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
Olympus E-M1 Mark III
Panasonic DMC-FS25S
  • $1649
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $175
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Thinner

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
Olympus E-M1 Mark III
Canon SD970 IS
  • $1649
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Thinner

Compared to Panasonic G95

Sony DSC-W290
Panasonic G95
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • $848
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Olympus E-M1 Mark III
Panasonic G95
  • $1649
  • 4/3
  • High resolution composite
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $848
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to OM System OM-1

Sony DSC-W290
OM System OM-1
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $2200
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Olympus E-M1 Mark III
OM System OM-1
  • $1649
  • 4/3
  • $2200
  • 4/3
  • Newer
  • Higher-res screen
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