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Panasonic FH1 vs Sony W290

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
28
Overall
32

Panasonic FH1 vs Sony W290 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
  • Launched January 2010
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-FS10
Sony W290
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 98 x 57 x 23mm
  • Launched February 2009
Photography Glossary

Panasonic FH1 vs Sony W290 Overview

Let's look much closer at the Panasonic FH1 and Sony W290, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the FH1 (12MP) and the W290 (12MP) is relatively close and both cameras offer the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The FH1 was introduced 11 months after the W290 and they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a complete comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the FH1 grades versus the W290 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH1 over the Sony W290

 FH1 W290 
LaunchedJanuary 2010February 2009Newer by 11 months

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Panasonic FH1

 W290 FH1 
Focus manually More precise focus
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic FH1 and Sony W290

 FH1 W290 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Panasonic FH1 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

If you are going to travel with your camera often, you're going to have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FH1 features external measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 163 grams (0.36 lbs) whilst the Sony W290 has dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic FH1 and Sony W290 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you select at that time. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the FH1 vs the W290.

Panasonic FH1 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the FH1 and W290 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic FH1 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH1 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by researching technical specs. The pic here will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the FH1 and W290.

As you have seen, the two cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same exact megapixels and you should expect comparable quality of images but you should consider the release date of the cameras into account. The younger FH1 should have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FH1 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH1 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH1 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH1 Portrait photography information
Sony W290 Portrait photography information
21
manual focus not available
no manual mode
can't use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
27
has manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
low MP (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FH1
Street photography with Sony W290
57
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH1 Sports photography information
Sony W290 Sports photography information
25
image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (6.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH1 Travel photography advice
Sony W290 Travel photography advice
58
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
57
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse function
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH1 Landscape photography details
Sony W290 Landscape photography details
32
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse function
41
has manual focus
really wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH1 Vlogging features
Sony W290 Vlogging features
29
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone socket
28
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone support
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Panasonic FH1 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH1 and Sony W290
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Also called as Lumix DMC-FS10 -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2010-01-06 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-6.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance 5cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 2s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.80 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 163 gr (0.36 lb) 167 gr (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 98 x 55 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $150 $230