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Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A290

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
31
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Panasonic FH5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 121g - 94 x 54 x 19mm
  • Announced January 2011
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-FS18
Sony A290
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Released June 2010
  • Earlier Model is Sony A230
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Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A290 Overview

Below is a in depth review of the Panasonic FH5 versus Sony A290, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the FH5 (16MP) and the A290 (14MP) is very similar but the FH5 (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor size.

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The FH5 was released 7 months later than the A290 so they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FH5 being a Compact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving through a complete comparison, below is a brief overview of how the FH5 scores against the A290 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH5 over the Sony A290

 FH5 A290 
ReleasedJanuary 2011June 2010More recent by 7 months

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Panasonic FH5

 A290 FH5 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing

Common features in the Panasonic FH5 and Sony A290

 FH5 A290 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension2.7"2.7"Identical display size
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

If you are going to lug around your camera regularly, you'll need to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic FH5 offers outer measurements of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") along with a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs) whilst the Sony A290 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") having a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic FH5 versus Sony A290 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the FH5 compared to the A290.

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FH5 and A290 is 96 and 66 respectively.

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's difficult to envision the difference between sensor measurements merely by reading technical specs. The visual underneath will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the FH5 and A290.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The FH5 because of its tinier sensor will make achieving shallow DOF trickier and the Panasonic FH5 will offer you extra detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop images somewhat more aggressively. The more recent FH5 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Portrait photography features
Sony A290 Portrait photography features
34
good resolution (16 megapixels)
includes face detect focus
manual focus not available
no manual control
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
65
focusing manually
MP count good (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Street photography information
Sony A290 Street photography information
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
features touch focus
lighter than average (121g)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Sports photography highlights
Sony A290 Sports photography highlights
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
not so great battery life (290 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Travel photography factors
Sony A290 Travel photography factors
71
lighter than average (121 grams)
features touch focus
good resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse function
does not feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
53
MP count good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse function
not so great battery life (290 per charge)
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Landscape photography features
Sony A290 Landscape photography features
38
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7")
no manual control
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
58
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
small screen (2.7 inch)
doesn't have liveview
not so great battery life (290 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH5 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A290 as a Vlogging camera
33
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focus
lighter than average (121 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not feature selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone port
9
no video
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Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH5 and Sony A290
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Also called Lumix DMC-FS18 -
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2011-01-05 2010-06-09
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine IV 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 surface area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 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
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.1-6.5 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 4.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.30 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 121 grams (0.27 pounds) 549 grams (1.21 pounds)
Dimensions 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") 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 260 photographs 290 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack 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
Storage slots One One
Price at release $169 $600