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Panasonic FP1 vs Sony W290

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
13
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony W290 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 W290
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 98 x 57 x 23mm
  • Announced February 2009
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Panasonic FP1 vs Sony W290 Overview

Below is a detailed analysis of the Panasonic FP1 versus Sony W290, one being a Ultracompact and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the FP1 (12MP) and the W290 (12MP) is very similar and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The FP1 was unveiled 11 months later than the W290 so they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FP1 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony W290 being a Compact camera.

Before delving through a complete comparison, below is a quick summation of how the FP1 grades against the W290 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FP1 over the Sony W290

 FP1 W290 
AnnouncedJanuary 2010February 2009More recent by 11 months

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Panasonic FP1

 W290 FP1 
Manual focus More exact focus
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic FP1 and Sony W290

 FP1 W290 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to lug around your camera frequently, you will want to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic FP1 features 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 W290 has specifications of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check the Panasonic FP1 versus Sony W290 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are employing at that time. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the FP1 against the W290.

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the FP1 and W290 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is tough to picture the difference between sensor measurements just by going over a spec sheet. The visual below should give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the FP1 and W290.

As you can see, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact megapixels so you should expect similar quality of photographs although you will want to consider the production date of the products into consideration. The more recent FP1 provides an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FP1 Portrait photography details
Sony W290 Portrait photography details
21
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
27
manual focus
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FP1 Street photography highlights
Sony W290 Street photography highlights
55
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
heavier than competition in class (151 grams)
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FP1 Sports photography info
Sony W290 Sports photography info
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (6.0 fps)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FP1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony W290 as a Travel photography camera
50
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
heavier than competition in class (151 grams)
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
57
built-in flash
quite wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FP1 Landscape photography highlights
Sony W290 Landscape photography highlights
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
41
manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not possible
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FP1 Vlogging information
Sony W290 Vlogging information
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic support
heavier than competition in class (151g)
28
quite wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic support
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Panasonic FP1 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FP1 and Sony W290
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Class Ultracompact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2010-01-06 2009-02-17
Physical type Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine IV -
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 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 35-140mm (4.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range 10cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 2 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.90 m (Auto ISO) 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG 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 151 gr (0.33 lb) 167 gr (0.37 lb)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" 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
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $153 $230