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Panasonic FP2 vs Sony A290

Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
17
Overall
28
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP2 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Panasonic FP2 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Panasonic FP2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • 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 Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Revealed June 2010
  • Earlier Model is Sony A230
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Panasonic FP2 vs Sony A290 Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Panasonic FP2 versus Sony A290, one being a Ultracompact and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the FP2 (14MP) and the A290 (14MP) is fairly similar but the FP2 (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor sizes.

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The FP2 was unveiled 5 months earlier than the A290 and they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FP2 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting right into a thorough comparison, here is a short view of how the FP2 grades against the A290 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FP2 over the Sony A290

 FP2 A290 

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Panasonic FP2

 A290 FP2 
Manually focus Dial exact focus

Common features in the Panasonic FP2 and Sony A290

 FP2 A290 
RevealedJanuary 2010June 2010Similar generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal display dimensions
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Panasonic FP2 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to lug around your camera often, you're going to have to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FP2 enjoys outer measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") having a weight of 151 grams (0.33 lbs) and the Sony A290 has measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") along with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic FP2 versus Sony A290 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the FP2 compared to the A290.

Panasonic FP2 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the FP2 and A290 is 95 and 66 respectively.

Panasonic FP2 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FP2 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's tough to envision the gap between sensor measurements merely by going over technical specs. The visual below should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the FP2 and A290.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras provide the same resolution but not the same sensor measurements. The FP2 has the tinier sensor which should make achieving bokeh tougher.

Panasonic FP2 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FP2 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FP2 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FP2 Portrait photography info
Sony A290 Portrait photography info
28
megapixel count good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
65
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
no liveview feature
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FP2 as a Street photography camera
Sony A290 as a Street photography camera
55
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
heavier than others (151 grams)
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FP2 Sports photography factors
Sony A290 Sports photography factors
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
slow frames per second (5.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
55
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
low battery (290 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FP2
Travel photography with Sony A290
56
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than others (151g)
does not contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
53
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
low battery (290 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FP2
Landscape photography with Sony A290
32
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7")
no manual control
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
58
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no liveview feature
low battery (290 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FP2 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A290 as a Vlogging camera
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not contain selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing mic jack
heavier than others (151g)
9
no video shooting
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Panasonic FP2 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FP2 and Sony A290
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP2Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP2 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Type Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2010-01-06 2010-06-09
Body design Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine IV Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 35-140mm (4.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 10cm -
Total lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 5.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.90 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 151g (0.33 lb) 549g (1.21 lb)
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 All around 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 shots
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $80 $600