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Panasonic S1 vs Sony A290

Portability
54
Imaging
75
Features
84
Overall
78
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Panasonic S1 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Panasonic S1
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Raise to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 1021g - 149 x 110 x 97mm
  • Revealed February 2019
Sony A290
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Launched June 2010
  • Superseded the Sony A230
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Panasonic S1 vs Sony A290 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Panasonic S1 vs Sony A290, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Panasonic and Sony. There is a substantial difference between the image resolutions of the S1 (24MP) and A290 (14MP) and the S1 (Full frame) and A290 (APS-C) have totally different sensor size.

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The S1 was brought out 8 years after the A290 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Panasonic S1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go right into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief overview of how the S1 grades vs the A290 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Sony A290

 S1 A290 
LaunchedFebruary 2019June 2010Newer by 106 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3.2"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution2100k230kCrisper screen (+1870k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Panasonic S1

 A290 S1 

Common features in the Panasonic S1 and Sony A290

 S1 A290 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Panasonic S1 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic S1 offers outside measurements of 149mm x 110mm x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8") with a weight of 1021 grams (2.25 lbs) while the Sony A290 has proportions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") and a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic S1 vs Sony A290 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the S1 vs the A290.

Panasonic S1 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the S1 and A290 is 54 and 66 respectively.

Panasonic S1 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very difficult to envision the gap between sensor dimensions simply by looking at a spec sheet. The picture here will give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the S1 and A290.

As you can see, the two cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The S1 due to its bigger sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field less difficult and the Panasonic S1 will give you extra detail having its extra 10MP. Higher resolution will let you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more recent S1 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic S1 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S1 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S1 Portrait photography info
Sony A290 Portrait photography info
85
manual focus
above average flash sync speed (1/320s)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
65
you can focus manually
good resolution (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
no liveview
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S1 Street photography factors
Sony A290 Street photography factors
70
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
has focus by touch
environment sealing
above average ISO range (51,200)
heavier than average (1,021g)
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S1 Sports photography highlights
Sony A290 Sports photography highlights
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent shooting (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
environment sealing
bad battery life (380 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
no liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
bad battery (290 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic S1
Travel photography with Sony A290
59
environment sealing
connects via bluetooth
has focus by touch
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
bad battery life (380 CIPA)
heavier than average (1,021 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
53
good resolution (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
missing Timelapse mode
bad battery (290 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S1 Landscape photography information
Sony A290 Landscape photography information
81
manual focus
change lenses (Leica L mount)
decent sized screen (3.2 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
does not have anti-alias filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
two card slots
bad battery life (380 per charge)
58
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is small (2.7")
no liveview
bad battery (290 shots)
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic S1
Vlogging with Sony A290
32
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has external mic socket
screen is not selfie friendly
heavier than average (1,021g)
9
lack of video recording
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Panasonic S1 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S1 and Sony A290
 Panasonic Lumix DC-S1Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2019-02-01 2010-06-09
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 35.6 x 23.8mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 847.3mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 6000 x 4000 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 51200 3200
Max boosted ISO 204800 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Minimum boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 225 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Leica L Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 30 143
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3.2 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 2,100k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 5,760k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x 0.55x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/8000 secs -
Continuous shooting rate 9.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/320 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM -
Max video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264, H.265 -
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes (can be charged with high-power laptop/tablet chargers or portable power banks) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1021 grams (2.25 pounds) 549 grams (1.21 pounds)
Physical dimensions 149 x 110 x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 95 66
DXO Color Depth score 25.2 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score 14.5 11.5
DXO Low light score 3333 615
Other
Battery life 380 images 290 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage - Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Card slots 2 1
Retail price $2,498 $600