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Panasonic FH1 vs Sony A290

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH1 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Panasonic FH1 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Panasonic FH1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 163g - 98 x 55 x 23mm
  • Released January 2010
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-FS10
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
  • Revealed June 2010
  • Succeeded the Sony A230
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Panasonic FH1 vs Sony A290 Overview

Let's examine more closely at the Panasonic FH1 and Sony A290, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the FH1 (12MP) and the A290 (14MP) is relatively similar but the FH1 (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor measurements.

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The FH1 was released 5 months earlier than the A290 which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FH1 being a Compact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go in to a in depth comparison, below is a short summation of how the FH1 scores versus the A290 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH1 over the Sony A290

 FH1 A290 

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Panasonic FH1

 A290 FH1 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing

Common features in the Panasonic FH1 and Sony A290

 FH1 A290 
RevealedJanuary 2010June 2010Similar generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent screen measurements
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FH1 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to travel with your camera often, you'll have to factor its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FH1 offers exterior dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 163 grams (0.36 lbs) and the Sony A290 has proportions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic FH1 and Sony A290 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the FH1 versus the A290.

Panasonic FH1 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FH1 and A290 is 95 and 66 respectively.

Panasonic FH1 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH1 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is hard to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions merely by going over a spec sheet. The image here will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the FH1 and A290.

As you can see, both of the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The FH1 featuring a tinier sensor will make getting bokeh trickier and the Sony A290 will offer greater detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots a little more aggressively.

Panasonic FH1 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH1 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH1 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH1 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A290 as a Portrait photography camera
21
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
low MP (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
65
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
no liveview
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH1 as a Street photography camera
Sony A290 as a Street photography camera
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FH1
Sports photography with Sony A290
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
low MP (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
no liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
not so great battery power (290 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH1 Travel photography factors
Sony A290 Travel photography factors
58
has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f2.8)
53
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
not so great battery power (290 shots)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A290 as a Landscape photography camera
32
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
low MP (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
does not have Timelapse recording
58
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
small screen (2.7 inches)
no liveview
not so great battery power (290 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FH1
Vlogging with Sony A290
29
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have a selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone socket
9
no video shooting
Photography Glossary

Panasonic FH1 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH1 and Sony A290
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH1Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH1 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FS10 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2010-01-06 2010-06-09
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8-6.9 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.80 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video format Motion JPEG -
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 163g (0.36 lb) 549g (1.21 lb)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 66
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.5
DXO Low light score not tested 615
Other
Battery life - 290 pictures
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $150 $600