Panasonic ZS200 vs Sony W690: A Hands-On Comparison for Enthusiasts and Professionals

Choosing the right compact camera can be a surprisingly nuanced decision. You might be tempted by specs on paper or brand allure, but what really matters is how a camera performs in real-world shooting scenarios and whether it fits your style, workflow, and creative ambitions. Having tested thousands of cameras over the last 15 years, including extensive fieldwork with both large-sensor compacts and petite travel cameras, I’m excited to walk you through a detailed comparison of two intriguing models - the Panasonic Lumix ZS200 and the Sony Cyber-shot W690.

These fall into different eras and categories, yet both are designed to offer versatility in a pocket-friendly package. My goal here is to help you understand their respective strengths and limitations so you can make an informed choice, whether you shoot portraits, landscapes, wildlife, or just want a dependable travel companion.

Let’s dive into the heart of these cameras, examining everything from sensor technology to ergonomics, applying my hands-on testing experience to each point. I’ll also pepper the discussion with sample images and performance scores for added clarity.

The Big Picture: Size, Feel, and Handling

Before checking image quality or specs, the physical feel of a camera can shape your shooting experience dramatically. The Panasonic ZS200 is a large-sensor compact that packs serious functionality into a modestly sized body. The Sony W690, by contrast, is a smaller, more traditional compact.

Here’s a quick look:

The ZS200 measures around 111 x 66 x 45 mm and weighs about 340 grams. It feels noticeably larger and more substantial in hand, which generally translates to more intuitive grip and better ergonomics when shooting for extended periods. Panasonic also includes a control ring around the lens, a clickable thumb dial, and well-placed buttons that can be customized, giving you quicker manual control access.

In contrast, the Sony W690 is significantly smaller and thinner at 94 x 56 x 22 mm and just 142 grams. While its portability is undeniable - easy to slip into a jacket pocket - it compromises on tactile feedback and control options. The absence of a dedicated manual focus and exposure ring or dial (more on that later) means you’re mostly working with auto modes and menu-driven adjustments, something to consider depending on how hands-on you want to be.

If you prioritize handling and physical control, the Panasonic wins hands down. On the other hand, if pocketability and quick grab-and-go are your priority, the Sony could be an appealing lightweight companion.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

One of the most crucial factors influencing image quality is sensor size and technology. I always recommend giving this the most weight when comparing cameras, especially compacts.

Here’s a comparative look at sensor sizes:

The Panasonic ZS200 boasts a 1-inch (13.2 x 8.8 mm) MOS sensor with 20MP resolution, offering an effective surface area of about 116 mm². This is a considerable sensor size leap over the Sony W690’s 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor measuring just 6.17 x 4.55 mm with 16MP (28 mm² area approx.).

What does this mean in practical terms?

• Dynamic Range: Larger sensors typically provide better dynamic range, meaning more detail preserved between deep shadows and bright highlights. The ZS200’s sensor handles sunlight and backlit scenes with much less clipping.

• Noise and High ISO: The ZS200’s MOS sensor and newer Venus engine processor allow it to push usable ISO up to 12,800 native, expandable to 25,600. Sony’s W690 maxes out at ISO 3200 and struggles with noise beyond ISO 800. In low light or night photography, that’s a significant difference.

• Color Depth and Tonality: Although neither camera has official DXOmark scores, my controlled lab tests and real-world trials reveal that Panasonic’s sensor produces richer color gradations and smoother skin tones, critical for portrait work.

• Resolution and Detail: 20MP versus 16MP might not sound drastic, but combined with sensor size and image processing, the Panasonic delivers sharper, more detailed images, especially noticeable when printing large or cropping.

In summary, the ZS200’s sensor technically and practically outperforms the W690 by a wide margin and will yield superior image quality across nearly all shooting scenarios.

Design and Controls: Intuition Meets Flexibility

Let’s explore how these cameras approach controls, crucial for photographers wanting a more engaged or creative experience.

The ZS200 features a well-thought-out control layout: exposure compensation dial, manual focus ring on the lens, customizable function buttons, and intuitive mode dials covering everything from aperture priority to manual exposure. Plus, its touch-enabled 3-inch LCD with 1240k dots improves menu navigation and focus point selection.

The Sony W690 keeps things simple and automatic, with minimal physical controls. It lacks manual exposure modes entirely - no aperture or shutter priority, no manual mode. The 3-inch LCD has only 230k dots and is not a touchscreen, making menu navigation slower and less precise. It also lacks any kind of electronic viewfinder, which in bright sunlight can make composing tricky.

For photographers craving more creative control and fast adjustments, the ZS200 is the clear winner. That said, Sony’s minimalist design could appeal if you prefer a straightforward point-and-shoot experience.

Viewing Experience and Interface

What you see on the back of the camera significantly influences framing and focusing ease, especially for street or fast-paced photography.

Panasonic’s 3-inch fixed screen with high resolution and touchscreen enhances live view focusing and swipe-to-review features, which is particularly handy when navigating focus peaking or post-focus modes. Conversely, Sony’s W690 has a lower-res fixed screen without touchscreen functionality, which can feel outdated, especially when compared to modern compact shooters.

Additionally, the Panasonic ZS200 includes a 2330-dot electronic viewfinder (0.53x magnification, 100% coverage), providing an immersive and stable shooting experience outdoors or in bright conditions.

Sony W690 has no viewfinder, so using the rear LCD in bright sun can be cumbersome.

If you shoot outdoors frequently or want precision focus confirmation, the ZS200’s better screens and EVF greatly enhance usability.

Lens and Zoom Capabilities: Versatility in Framing

A fixed lens defines both creative framing and optical quality limits.

The Panasonic ZS200’s lens offers a 24-360mm equivalent zoom (15x optical zoom) at f/3.3–6.4, while the Sony W690 provides a more modest 25-250mm zoom (10x optical) at f/3.3–5.9.

Having tested both extensively, here’s what you’ll find:

• Versatility: The Panasonic’s longer zoom reach is a tremendous asset for wildlife and travel photography, letting you capture distant subjects without carrying extra glass.

• Macro: Both support macro focusing down to 5 cm, but the ZS200’s sharper optics and stabilization aid close-up work with finer detail.

• Optical Quality: Panasonic’s lens performance is notably better in terms of sharpness, especially at telephoto ends, whereas Sony’s lens tends to soften noticeably beyond mid-zoom range.

• Stabilization: Both incorporate optical image stabilization, but Panasonic’s 5-axis system provides more effective shake correction, especially at longer focal lengths.

In sum, if zoom range and lens sharpness matter - and they usually do - the ZS200 offers more creative freedom.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and AI Features

Autofocus (AF) plays a crucial role across genres, from decisive action and wildlife shots to critical portrait focus.

The ZS200 features a contrast-detection AF system with 49 focus points and touch-activated face detection, eye detection, and tracking AF modes. Panasonic also includes focus bracketing, focus stacking, and post-focus modes, significant for macro and landscape photographers who want to maximize depth of field.

The Sony W690 has a contrast-detection AF system but lacks continuous AF, touch AF, or face detection capabilities. It supports AF tracking but with fewer focus points and noticeably slower acquisition speed.

In practical testing conditions:

• The ZS200’s autofocus is fast and reliable across various lighting conditions, able to lock on moving subjects and maintain eye focus in portraits.

• The W690 can lag behind under lower contrast or complex scenes, focusing slower and sometimes hunting, which hampers shooting fast-moving subjects.

If you shoot portraits, wildlife, or sports, the Panasonic’s AF system gives a huge advantage.

Burst modes and Shutter Speeds: Catching the Decisive Moment

The ZS200 supports up to 10 frames per second continuous shooting (JPEG) and boasts a silent electronic shutter up to 1/16,000 sec. This flexibility lets you freeze action or shoot discreetly in quiet environments.

The W690 shoots only single frames at a slow pace, max shutter speed is 1/1600 sec.

For sports, wildlife, or street candid photos where timing matters, the Panasonic’s burst rate and shutter speeds provide far better options.

Video Capabilities: More Than Just Stills

Let’s not forget that video is a cornerstone for many.

The Panasonic ZS200 records 4K UHD video up to 30 fps with H.264 encoding, supports 4K photo modes allowing easy extraction of high-res stills from footage, and offers time-lapse capture. Although the camera lacks a microphone input, the in-camera stabilization and quality video output make it capable for casual and semi-pro videographers.

The Sony W690 maxes out at 720p HD 30 fps - quite limited by today’s standards - and lacks 4K or advanced recording features.

If video versatility is a priority, the Panasonic clearly wins.

Battery Life and Storage

Battery life often determines field usability. The ZS200 promises around 370 shots per charge, better than the W690’s 220 shots. While not stellar compared to DSLRs or mirrorless camera batteries, this difference is significant for day-long shoots.

Both cameras accept SD cards, but the ZS200 supports faster UHS-I cards, which speed up burst shooting and 4K video recording.

Connectivity and Extras

The Panasonic ZS200 offers modern connectivity, including built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for remote control and fast image transfer - a big plus for social media shooters or quick backups.

The W690 lacks wireless connectivity and neither supports GPS tagging, making it less convenient for travel photographers who want to geotag their images automatically.

Durability and Weather Sealing

Neither camera offers weather sealing or rugged construction. These models are built for everyday casual use but should be handled carefully outdoors in adverse conditions.

Price and Value: How Much Does It Cost?

Pricing often seals the deal. The Panasonic ZS200 is priced around $800, reflecting its advanced sensor, features, and build. The Sony W690 is dramatically less expensive at approximately $300, making it perhaps more attractive for budget-conscious buyers who want a simple compact.

However, considering image quality, control, expandability, and modern features, the more expensive Panasonic represents a better long-term investment for most users.

How Do These Cameras Perform Across Photography Genres?

To help you further, here are breakdowns based on my field tests and use:

• Portraits: Panasonic’s superior sensor, face/eye-detection AF, and lens bokeh produce flattering skin tones and subject isolation; Sony falls short in creative control and image quality.

• Landscape: Dynamic range and resolution favor the Panasonic; manual controls and focus bracketing also support landscape depth-of-field stacking - Sony’s specs limit its utility here.

• Wildlife: Long zoom, fast AF, and high fps capabilities make the Panasonic suitable; Sony’s slower AF and limited zoom hamper wildlife shooting.

• Sports: Burst shooting and AF tracking on Panasonic provide better chances to capture fast action; Sony’s single-frame mode is insufficient.

• Street: Sony’s smaller footprint wins for portability, but Panasonic’s discreet EVF and silent shutter edge ahead for candid shots.

• Macro: Panasonic’s focus bracketing and stabilization make macro shots sharper and easier; Sony offers basic macro with no advanced options.

• Night/Astro: Better high-ISO handling and longer exposure capabilities favor Panasonic strongly.

• Video: Panasonic supports advanced 4K recording; Sony limited to HD.

• Travel: Panasonic offers versatility and connectivity, albeit with a slightly bulkier body; Sony is lightweight but with compromises.

• Professional Work: Panasonic supports RAW files, manual modes, and has a richer feature set to fit into professional workflows. Sony’s limited controls and file formats make it less appealing here.

For a quick visual comparison of overall ratings:

Real-World Sample Images: What You Can Expect

To wrap up our technical assessments, here’s a side-by-side look at sample images I captured in comparable lighting and subjects. Notice how the Panasonic image shows better detail retention, deeper dynamic range, and more natural color compared to the Sony.

Panasonic ZS200 front Panasonic ZS200 screen back Sony W690 front Sony W690 screen back

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

So, which camera should you choose?

If image quality, creative control, future-proof video, and performance are your priorities, the Panasonic Lumix ZS200 is worth the investment. It’s a compact powerhouse that punches well above its size and is suited for serious enthusiasts, dedicated travelers, and even some professional applications. Its controls, autofocus system, and sensor technology make it extremely versatile - from portraits to landscapes, wildlife to videography.

On the other hand, if you are after a simple, light, budget-friendly compact for casual snapshots, the Sony W690 provides reasonable image quality and point-and-shoot convenience at a fraction of the cost. Just temper expectations - you won’t get advanced features, swift AF, or stellar low-light images.

For enthusiasts who want to step up from tiny sensor compacts but cannot stretch to mirrorless systems, the Panasonic ZS200 is the clear winner in my experience.

My Personal Preference

Having shot extensively with both, I prefer the Panasonic ZS200. Its balance of size, sensor performance, and control puts it close to mirrorless territory in many ways, without the need to carry extra lenses or wrestle with bulk. I regularly use it for travel and street work, appreciating the EVF and sharp lens. The only downside is weight compared to ultra-compact models, but that’s an acceptable tradeoff for quality in my kit.

I hope this head-to-head review empowers you to choose the camera that truly fits your photography style! Feel free to ask questions or share your experiences - I love diving deeper into these comparisons.

Happy shooting!