Panasonic FH6 vs Sony A290

Following is a complete analysis of the Panasonic FH6 versus Sony A290, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the FH6 (14MP) and the A290 (14MP) is pretty well matched but the FH6 (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) feature different sensor measurements.

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The FH6 was released 20 months after the A290 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FH6 being a Compact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going in to a detailed comparison, below is a quick summary of how the FH6 scores against the A290 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

The following is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH6 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A290. The complete galleries are viewable at Panasonic FH6 Gallery & Sony A290 Gallery.

For anyone who is intending to carry around your camera, you will have to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic FH6 offers outer dimensions of 96mm x 56mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8") with a weight of 119 grams (0.26 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).

Examine the Panasonic FH6 versus Sony A290 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are employing at the time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the FH6 compared to the A290.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FH6 and A290 is 96 and 66 respectively.

Sometimes, its difficult to picture the gap between sensor sizes only by reading through a spec sheet. The picture here may provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the FH6 and A290.

Clearly, both the cameras have got the exact same megapixels albeit different sensor sizes. The FH6 offers the tinier sensor which will make getting shallow DOF trickier. The newer FH6 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.