• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Sony DSC-W290 advantages over Olympus TG-630

  • Larger lens aperture
    f/3.3 vs f/3.9
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 25 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Olympus TG-630 advantages over Sony DSC-W290

  • Less expensive
    $200 vs $249 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    460k 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
  • Longer exposure
    4 vs 2 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.0 fps vs 1.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

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 TG-630
Sony DSC-W170
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $225
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Larger lens aperture

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 TG-630
Panasonic DMC-FS25S
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $175
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Longer stills battery life

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 TG-630
Canon SD970 IS
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Fujifilm XP50

Sony DSC-W290
Fujifilm XP50
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $238
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
Olympus TG-630
Fujifilm XP50
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • HDMI out
  • $238
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels

Compared to Olympus TG-620

Sony DSC-W290
Olympus TG-620
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Manual focus
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • HDMI out
Olympus TG-630
Olympus TG-620
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slow-motion videos
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
Compare Other Cameras?