• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A290 advantages over Olympus TG-6

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.16 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 0.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 500 vs 340 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    14.2 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Olympus TG-6 advantages over Sony DSLR-A290

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs No
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Thinner
    32 mm vs 79 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    5 years vs 14 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lighter weight
    253g vs 508g
    Lighter weight
  • 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
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    20.0 fps vs 2.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    27 vs 18 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (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
  • 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

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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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 TG-6
Nikon D5000
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Waterproof
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus TG-6 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 TG-6
Canon T1i
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Focus peaking
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus TG-6 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 TG-6
Sony DSLR-A390
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Waterproof
  • $507
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus TG-6 vs Sony DSLR-A390

Compared to Olympus TG-4

Sony DSLR-A290
Olympus TG-4
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $452
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Sony DSLR-A290 vs Olympus TG-4

Olympus TG-6
Olympus TG-4
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $452
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Olympus TG-6 vs Olympus TG-4

Compared to Olympus TG-5

Sony DSLR-A290
Olympus TG-5
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Focus peaking

Compare Sony DSLR-A290 vs Olympus TG-5

Olympus TG-6
Olympus TG-5
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Fast startup
  • More dots on screen
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive

Compare Olympus TG-6 vs Olympus TG-5

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