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Panasonic FH20 vs Sony A290

Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
21
Overall
30
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Panasonic FH20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-224mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 178g - 100 x 56 x 28mm
  • Announced January 2010
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-FS30
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
  • Introduced June 2010
  • Older Model is Sony A230
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Panasonic FH20 vs Sony A290 Overview

Here is a in depth review of the Panasonic FH20 versus Sony A290, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the FH20 (14MP) and the A290 (14MP) is pretty comparable but the FH20 (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor size.

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The FH20 was unveiled 5 months prior to the A290 and they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FH20 being a Compact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the FH20 scores versus the A290 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH20 over the Sony A290

 FH20 A290 

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Panasonic FH20

 A290 FH20 
Focus manually More accurate focus

Common features in the Panasonic FH20 and Sony A290

 FH20 A290 
IntroducedJanuary 2010June 2010Same generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size2.7"2.7"Same screen size
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry your camera frequently, you need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FH20 comes with exterior measurements of 100mm x 56mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1") having a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs) and the Sony A290 has dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") along with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic FH20 versus Sony A290 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the FH20 compared to the A290.

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FH20 and A290 is 93 and 66 respectively.

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizing just by checking out specs. The graphic here should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the FH20 and A290.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras feature the identical megapixel count albeit not the same sensor sizing. The FH20 uses the smaller sensor which should make achieving shallower DOF tougher.

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH20 Portrait photography features
Sony A290 Portrait photography features
28
good megapixels (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
65
you can focus manually
decent MP (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH20 Street photography info
Sony A290 Street photography info
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH20 Sports photography features
Sony A290 Sports photography features
34
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
55
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
low battery pack (290 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FH20
Travel photography with Sony A290
64
good megapixels (14MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
53
decent MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
no Time Lapse mode
low battery pack (290 per charge)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH20 Landscape photography details
Sony A290 Landscape photography details
37
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Timelapse recording
58
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
doesn't have liveview
low battery pack (290 shots)
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FH20
Vlogging with Sony A290
28
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone port
9
lack of video recording
Photography Glossary

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH20 and Sony A290
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Also called as Lumix DMC-FS30 -
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2010-01-06 2010-06-09
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 28-224mm (8.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 5.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.80 m (Auto ISO) 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes 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
Max flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 178 grams (0.39 pounds) 549 grams (1.21 pounds)
Physical dimensions 100 x 56 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 66
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.5
DXO Low light rating not tested 615
Other
Battery life - 290 pictures
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $179 $600