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Panasonic FH25 vs Sony A290

Portability
94
Imaging
39
Features
26
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH25 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Panasonic FH25 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Panasonic FH25
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-224mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 159g - 99 x 57 x 28mm
  • Announced January 2011
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-FS35
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
  • Succeeded the Sony A230
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Panasonic FH25 vs Sony A290 Overview

In this article, we will be looking at the Panasonic FH25 versus Sony A290, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the FH25 (16MP) and the A290 (14MP) is pretty close but the FH25 (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) feature different sensor sizing.

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The FH25 was unveiled 7 months later than the A290 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FH25 being a Compact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting through a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the FH25 matches up versus the A290 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH25 over the Sony A290

 FH25 A290 
LaunchedJanuary 2011June 2010Fresher by 7 months

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Panasonic FH25

 A290 FH25 
Manual focus Very exact focus

Common features in the Panasonic FH25 and Sony A290

 FH25 A290 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent screen measurement
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FH25 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera frequently, you have to consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic FH25 enjoys external measurements of 99mm x 57mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1") along with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Sony A290 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic FH25 versus Sony A290 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are using during that time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the FH25 and the A290.

Panasonic FH25 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FH25 and A290 is 94 and 66 respectively.

Panasonic FH25 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH25 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's tough to imagine the gap in sensor sizing merely by researching a spec sheet. The visual here will offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the FH25 and A290.

As you can see, both of these cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The FH25 with its smaller sensor is going to make getting bokeh trickier and the Panasonic FH25 will result in extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures far more aggressively. The fresher FH25 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic FH25 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH25 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH25 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH25 Portrait photography factors
Sony A290 Portrait photography factors
34
decent MP (16 megapixels)
includes face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
65
you can focus manually
MP count good (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
no liveview feature
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH25 Street photography highlights
Sony A290 Street photography highlights
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH25 Sports photography features
Sony A290 Sports photography features
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
no liveview feature
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
bad battery pack (290 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH25 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A290 as a Travel photography camera
65
decent MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
53
MP count good (14MP)
has built in flash
missing Timelapse recording
bad battery pack (290 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH25 Landscape photography factors
Sony A290 Landscape photography factors
38
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
58
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no liveview feature
bad battery pack (290 CIPA)
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH25 Vlogging advice
Sony A290 Vlogging advice
31
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone socket
9
lack of video recording
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Panasonic FH25 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH25 and Sony A290
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH25Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH25 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-FS35 -
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2011-01-05 2010-06-09
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine VI 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 area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 28-224mm (8.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Available lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT Screen LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.80 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720p (24 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 159 grams (0.35 pounds) 549 grams (1.21 pounds)
Dimensions 99 x 57 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 250 images 290 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Card slots One One
Retail price $180 $600