• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 300.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A290 advantages over Olympus Stylus 1s

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/1.7 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.16 vs 1.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • More pixels
    14.2 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Olympus Stylus 1s advantages over Sony DSLR-A290

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Thinner
    56 mm vs 79 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    10 years vs 14 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    1040k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.0 fps vs 2.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 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
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D5000

Sony DSLR-A290
Nikon D5000
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony DSLR-A290 vs Nikon D5000

Olympus Stylus 1s
Nikon D5000
  • $549
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus Stylus 1s vs Nikon D5000

Compared to Canon T1i

Sony DSLR-A290
Canon T1i
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony DSLR-A290 vs Canon T1i

Olympus Stylus 1s
Canon T1i
  • $549
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus Stylus 1s vs Canon T1i

Compared to Sony DSLR-A390

Sony DSLR-A290
Sony DSLR-A390
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $507
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony DSLR-A290 vs Sony DSLR-A390

Olympus Stylus 1s
Sony DSLR-A390
  • $549
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $507
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus Stylus 1s vs Sony DSLR-A390

Compared to Nikon P7100

Sony DSLR-A290
Nikon P7100
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $500
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Integrated ND filter

Compare Sony DSLR-A290 vs Nikon P7100

Olympus Stylus 1s
Nikon P7100
  • $549
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $500
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 24p video

Compare Olympus Stylus 1s vs Nikon P7100

Compared to Olympus Stylus 1

Sony DSLR-A290
Olympus Stylus 1
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen

Compare Sony DSLR-A290 vs Olympus Stylus 1

Olympus Stylus 1s
Olympus Stylus 1
  • $549
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Olympus Stylus 1s vs Olympus Stylus 1

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