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Panasonic FH8 vs Sony W290

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
28
Overall
32

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Panasonic FH8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-6.4) lens
  • 123g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Launched January 2012
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 FH8 vs Sony W290 Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Panasonic FH8 and Sony W290, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. There exists a huge gap among the image resolutions of the FH8 (16MP) and W290 (12MP) but they feature the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The FH8 was launched 2 years later than the W290 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief summation of how the FH8 scores versus the W290 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH8 over the Sony W290

 FH8 W290 
RevealedJanuary 2012February 2009Fresher by 36 months

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Panasonic FH8

 W290 FH8 
Focus manually More exact focusing

Common features in the Panasonic FH8 and Sony W290

 FH8 W290 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera, you need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FH8 provides external dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 123 grams (0.27 lbs) while the Sony W290 has dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic FH8 and Sony W290 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the FH8 versus the W290.

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FH8 and W290 is 96 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be tough to picture the contrast in sensor sizing merely by viewing technical specs. The photograph here should give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the FH8 and W290.

As you have seen, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You should count on the Panasonic FH8 to provide you with greater detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The newer FH8 provides an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH8 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W290 as a Portrait photography camera
34
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
provides face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
27
focusing manually
no manual mode
no external flash support
low MP (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH8 Street photography details
Sony W290 Street photography details
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (123 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH8 Sports photography features
Sony W290 Sports photography features
40
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
max fps low (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
low MP (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH8 Travel photography factors
Sony W290 Travel photography factors
69
lighter than competition (123g)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
missing Timelapse mode
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
57
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
low MP (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH8 Landscape photography info
Sony W290 Landscape photography info
43
pretty wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
manual exposure not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
missing Timelapse mode
41
focusing manually
relatively wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
no manual mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FH8
Vlogging with Sony W290
33
pretty wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
lighter than competition (123 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone support
28
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic support
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Panasonic FH8 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH8 and Sony W290
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2012-01-09 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
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
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.5-6.4 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range 4cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8s 2s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.60 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4
Mic 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 123 gr (0.27 pounds) 167 gr (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 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
Battery life 260 images -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail cost $149 $230