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Panasonic FP1 vs Sony A290

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
13
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Panasonic FP1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 151g - 99 x 59 x 19mm
  • Introduced January 2010
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
  • Introduced June 2010
  • Succeeded the Sony A230
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Panasonic FP1 vs Sony A290 Overview

Lets look much closer at the Panasonic FP1 versus Sony A290, one is a Ultracompact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the FP1 (12MP) and the A290 (14MP) is relatively well matched but the FP1 (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) posses different sensor sizes.

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The FP1 was unveiled 5 months prior to the A290 so they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FP1 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going right into a in depth comparison, here is a quick overview of how the FP1 scores vs the A290 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FP1 over the Sony A290

 FP1 A290 

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Panasonic FP1

 A290 FP1 
Manually focus Dial precise focus

Common features in the Panasonic FP1 and Sony A290

 FP1 A290 
IntroducedJanuary 2010June 2010Similar generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal screen dimensions
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic FP1 offers outside dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") along with a weight of 151 grams (0.33 lbs) and the Sony A290 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") and a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic FP1 versus Sony A290 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the FP1 vs the A290.

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the FP1 and A290 is 95 and 66 respectively.

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes simply by looking at a spec sheet. The picture below should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the FP1 and A290.

As you can see, the two cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The FP1 having a tinier sensor is going to make achieving bokeh trickier and the Sony A290 will resolve extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures a bit more aggressively.

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FP1 Portrait photography factors
Sony A290 Portrait photography factors
21
lack of manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
65
has manual focus
resolution is good (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
does not have liveview
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FP1 Street photography highlights
Sony A290 Street photography highlights
55
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
more heavy than competitors in class (151g)
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FP1 Sports photography factors
Sony A290 Sports photography factors
25
image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (6.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
55
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
does not have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
bad battery life (290 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FP1 Travel photography info
Sony A290 Travel photography info
50
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
more heavy than competitors in class (151 grams)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
53
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
bad battery life (290 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FP1 Landscape photography info
Sony A290 Landscape photography info
28
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Timelapse mode
58
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is small (2.7 inches)
does not have liveview
bad battery life (290 shots)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FP1 Vlogging highlights
Sony A290 Vlogging highlights
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone jack
more heavy than competitors in class (151g)
9
no video recording
Photography Glossary

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FP1 and Sony A290
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Category Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2010-01-06 2010-06-09
Body design Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor 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 area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 35-140mm (4.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 10cm -
Available lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7" 2.7"
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type 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 6.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.90 m (Auto ISO) 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160 seconds
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 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 151 gr (0.33 lbs) 549 gr (1.21 lbs)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" 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 - 290 photographs
Battery form - 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 Single Single
Cost at release $153 $600