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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony W290

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
28
Overall
32

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 31-124mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 129g - 97 x 55 x 22mm
  • Released April 2009
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
  • Launched February 2009
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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony W290 Overview

Following is a detailed comparison of the Panasonic FS12 vs Sony W290, former is a Ultracompact while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the FS12 (12MP) and the W290 (12MP) is fairly comparable and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The FS12 was revealed 2 months after the W290 so they are of a similar age. Both cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony W290 being a Compact camera.

Before diving through a more detailed comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the FS12 grades versus the W290 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Sony W290

 FS12 W290 

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Panasonic FS12

 W290 FS12 
Manual focus More exact focus
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic FS12 and Sony W290

 FS12 W290 
LaunchedApril 2009February 2009Same age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry around your camera often, you need to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic FS12 offers outside dimensions of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs) and the Sony W290 has specifications of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

See the Panasonic FS12 vs Sony W290 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are working with at the time. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the FS12 and the W290.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FS12 and W290 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to imagine the gap in sensor sizes just by checking out specifications. The image here will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the FS12 and W290.

Plainly, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same resolution so you can expect comparable quality of photographs although you may want to take the age of the cameras into account.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W290 as a Portrait photography camera
21
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
27
has manual focus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Street photography highlights
Sony W290 Street photography highlights
57
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Sports photography camera
Sony W290 as a Sports photography camera
25
image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Travel photography features
Sony W290 Travel photography features
51
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (31mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
57
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Landscape photography highlights
Sony W290 Landscape photography highlights
28
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7")
no manual control
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
41
has manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not possible
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Vlogging features
Sony W290 Vlogging features
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have external mic jack
28
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone jack
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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS12 and Sony W290
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Class Ultracompact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2009-04-17 2009-02-17
Body design Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
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 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 31-124mm (4.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range 5cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 2s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 848 x 480 (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 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 129 gr (0.28 lb) 167 gr (0.37 lb)
Dimensions 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC card, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at release $228 $230