Panasonic FX48 vs Sony W290
95 Imaging
34 Features
21 Overall
28


94 Imaging
34 Features
28 Overall
31
Panasonic FX48 vs Sony W290 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Panasonic FX48 vs Sony W290 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290. The whole galleries are available at Panasonic FX48 Gallery and Sony W290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic FX48 over the Sony W290
FX48 | W290 |
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Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Panasonic FX48
W290 | FX48 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very precise focus | ||
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Common features in the Panasonic FX48 and Sony W290
FX48 | W290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2009 | ![]() | February 2009 | Same generation |
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Exact 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FX48 vs Sony W290 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48 | Sony 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 |