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Panasonic FX48 vs Sony W290

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
21
Overall
28
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Panasonic FX48 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Panasonic FX48
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 150g - 95 x 53 x 22mm
  • Revealed January 2009
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-FX40
Sony W290
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 98 x 57 x 23mm
  • Introduced February 2009
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Panasonic FX48 vs Sony W290 Overview

Below, we will be matching up the Panasonic FX48 and Sony W290, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the FX48 (12MP) and the W290 (12MP) is relatively comparable and they come with the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The FX48 was introduced at a similar time to the W290 so they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a in-depth comparison, below is a quick summary of how the FX48 grades vs the W290 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FX48 over the Sony W290

 FX48 W290 

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Panasonic FX48

 W290 FX48 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Screen dimension3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")

Common features in the Panasonic FX48 and Sony W290

 FX48 W290 
IntroducedJanuary 2009February 2009Same generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Panasonic FX48 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera frequently, you need to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FX48 has physical dimensions of 95mm x 53mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.9") having a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) and the Sony W290 has measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check the Panasonic FX48 and Sony W290 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you use during that time. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the FX48 and the W290.

Panasonic FX48 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FX48 and W290 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic FX48 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FX48 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to visualize the difference in sensor sizes purely by going through technical specs. The pic here might give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the FX48 and W290.

As you can tell, each of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the same MP so you should expect comparable quality of photographs but you have to take the release date of the cameras into account.

Panasonic FX48 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FX48 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FX48 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FX48 Portrait photography information
Sony W290 Portrait photography information
27
supports face detection focusing
manual focus not available
can't use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
27
manual focus
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FX48 Street photography info
Sony W290 Street photography info
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FX48
Sports photography with Sony W290
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
low MP (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
25
image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FX48 Travel photography features
Sony W290 Travel photography features
58
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
low MP (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
57
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FX48
Landscape photography with Sony W290
33
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5")
low MP (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse function
41
manual focus
really wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not possible
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FX48 Vlogging factors
Sony W290 Vlogging factors
30
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone support
28
really wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic socket
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Panasonic FX48 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FX48 and Sony W290
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Also Known as Lumix DMC-FX40 -
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2009-01-27 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-125mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance 5cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 2 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/3000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 150 gr (0.33 pounds) 167 gr (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 95 x 53 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.9") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $325 $230