Panasonic FP5 vs Sony W290
95 Imaging
37 Features
33 Overall
35


94 Imaging
34 Features
28 Overall
31
Panasonic FP5 vs Sony W290 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
- 141g - 101 x 59 x 18mm
- Introduced January 2011
(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
- Released February 2009

Panasonic FP5 vs Sony W290 Overview
Let's examine more in depth at the Panasonic FP5 vs Sony W290, one being a Ultracompact and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the FP5 (14MP) and the W290 (12MP) is very comparable and they use the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The FP5 was launched 23 months later than the W290 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FP5 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony W290 being a Compact camera.
Before diving through a detailed comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the FP5 scores against the W290 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Panasonic FP5 vs Sony W290 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP5 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290. The complete galleries are available at Panasonic FP5 Gallery and Sony W290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic FP5 over the Sony W290
FP5 | W290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2011 | ![]() | February 2009 | More recent by 23 months |
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Panasonic FP5
W290 | FP5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial accurate focusing |
Common features in the Panasonic FP5 and Sony W290
FP5 | W290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display measurement |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Same display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen |
Panasonic FP5 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison
When you are intending to lug around your camera regularly, you need to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FP5 comes with outside measurements of 101mm x 59mm x 18mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 0.7") and a weight of 141 grams (0.31 lbs) while the Sony W290 has measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Contrast the Panasonic FP5 vs Sony W290 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the FP5 and the W290.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FP5 and W290 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic FP5 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it's difficult to picture the contrast in sensor measurements merely by checking out specifications. The graphic here will give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the FP5 and W290.
To sum up, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You should expect to see the Panasonic FP5 to show more detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The more recent FP5 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic FP5 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FP5 vs Sony W290 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP5 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Panasonic | Sony |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP5 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 |
Category | Ultracompact | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2011-01-05 | 2009-02-17 |
Body design | Ultracompact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Venus Engine IV | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 35-140mm (4.0x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.5-5.9 | f/3.3-5.2 |
Macro focus range | 10cm | 10cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen tech | TFT Touch Screen LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60 secs | 2 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/1600 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 6.0 frames per sec | 2.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 4.90 m | 3.90 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
Microphone 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 proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 141 grams (0.31 pounds) | 167 grams (0.37 pounds) |
Dimensions | 101 x 59 x 18mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 0.7") | 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 photographs | - |
Battery form | Battery Pack | - |
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 |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at release | $199 | $230 |