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Panasonic FH3 vs Sony W290

Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
21
Overall
30
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Panasonic FH3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 165g - 98 x 55 x 24mm
  • Launched January 2010
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FS11
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
  • Revealed February 2009
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Panasonic FH3 vs Sony W290 Overview

Here, we will be comparing the Panasonic FH3 and Sony W290, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the FH3 (14MP) and the W290 (12MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras have the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The FH3 was revealed 11 months after the W290 and they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the FH3 matches up versus the W290 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH3 over the Sony W290

 FH3 W290 
RevealedJanuary 2010February 2009More modern by 11 months

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Panasonic FH3

 W290 FH3 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic FH3 and Sony W290

 FH3 W290 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FH3 has outside measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) while the Sony W290 has dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic FH3 and Sony W290 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are employing at the time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the FH3 against the W290.

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the FH3 and W290 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be hard to envision the contrast in sensor sizes simply by going through a spec sheet. The image underneath may offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the FH3 and W290.

As you can see, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Panasonic FH3 to produce more detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures way more aggressively. The newer FH3 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FH3
Portrait photography with Sony W290
28
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
27
manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH3 Street photography highlights
Sony W290 Street photography highlights
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH3 Sports photography advice
Sony W290 Sports photography advice
34
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
max frames per second very slow (6.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH3 Travel photography advice
Sony W290 Travel photography advice
64
decent megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
57
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse function
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH3 Landscape photography information
Sony W290 Landscape photography information
37
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Timelapse mode
41
manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FH3
Vlogging with Sony W290
29
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone support
28
quite wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone port
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Panasonic FH3 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH3 and Sony W290
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Alternative name Lumix DMC-FS11 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2010-01-06 2009-02-17
Body design 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 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-6.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance 5cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 2 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.80 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone 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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 165g (0.36 lb) 167g (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 98 x 55 x 24mm (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 score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $160 $230