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Panasonic FH27 vs Sony A290

Portability
94
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH27 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Panasonic FH27 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Panasonic FH27
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-224mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 152g - 99 x 57 x 28mm
  • Launched January 2011
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
  • Superseded the Sony A230
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Panasonic FH27 vs Sony A290 Overview

Below is a extensive overview of the Panasonic FH27 vs Sony A290, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the FH27 (16MP) and the A290 (14MP) is relatively close but the FH27 (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) offer different sensor dimensions.

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The FH27 was unveiled 7 months later than the A290 which means that they are both of a similar age. The two cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FH27 being a Compact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going right into a full comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the FH27 matches up versus the A290 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH27 over the Sony A290

 FH27 A290 
RevealedJanuary 2011June 2010More recent by 7 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Panasonic FH27

 A290 FH27 
Focus manually More accurate focus

Common features in the Panasonic FH27 and Sony A290

 FH27 A290 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Panasonic FH27 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to lug around your camera regularly, you are going to need to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FH27 features external measurements of 99mm x 57mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1") and a weight of 152 grams (0.34 lbs) while the Sony A290 has measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic FH27 vs Sony A290 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are employing at that time. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the FH27 vs the A290.

Panasonic FH27 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FH27 and A290 is 94 and 66 respectively.

Panasonic FH27 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH27 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor measurements just by researching specs. The graphic here should give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the FH27 and A290.

All in all, both of those cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The FH27 with its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF more difficult and the Panasonic FH27 will result in more detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs more aggressively. The more modern FH27 should have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic FH27 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH27 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH27 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH27 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A290 as a Portrait photography camera
34
MP count decent (16MP)
supports face detect autofocus
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
65
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection focus
delivers RAW files
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH27 Street photography features
Sony A290 Street photography features
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides touch focus
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH27 Sports photography features
Sony A290 Sports photography features
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (4.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
slow fps (3.0 frames/s)
bad battery life (290 CIPA)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH27 Travel photography info
Sony A290 Travel photography info
68
provides touch focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
53
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse mode
bad battery life (290 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH27 Landscape photography details
Sony A290 Landscape photography details
43
really wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not available
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
no Time Lapse function
58
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen is small (2.7 inch)
doesn't have liveview
bad battery life (290 shots)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FH27
Vlogging with Sony A290
32
really wide (28mm)
touch screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic socket
9
no video
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Panasonic FH27 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH27 and Sony A290
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH27Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH27 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Category Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2011-01-05 2010-06-09
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine VI 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 16MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 28-224mm (8.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT Touch Screen LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 4.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 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
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video format Motion JPEG -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 152g (0.34 pounds) 549g (1.21 pounds)
Physical 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 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 250 photos 290 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - 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
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $229 $600