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Panasonic FX90 vs Sony W290

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX90 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Panasonic FX90 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Panasonic FX90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-5.9) lens
  • 149g - 102 x 56 x 22mm
  • Introduced August 2011
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
  • Revealed February 2009
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Panasonic FX90 vs Sony W290 Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Panasonic FX90 and Sony W290, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the FX90 (12MP) and the W290 (12MP) is very similar and they possess the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The FX90 was unveiled 2 years after the W290 which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a complete comparison, below is a brief overview of how the FX90 scores vs the W290 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FX90 over the Sony W290

 FX90 W290 
RevealedAugust 2011February 2009More modern by 31 months
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Panasonic FX90

 W290 FX90 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus

Common features in the Panasonic FX90 and Sony W290

 FX90 W290 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Panasonic FX90 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry around your camera often, you'll have to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic FX90 provides exterior measurements of 102mm x 56mm x 22mm (4.0" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 149 grams (0.33 lbs) whilst 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).

Check out the Panasonic FX90 and Sony W290 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the FX90 vs the W290.

Panasonic FX90 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FX90 and W290 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic FX90 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FX90 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's difficult to visualise the gap between sensor sizes just by reading specs. The pic underneath should give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the FX90 and W290.

All in all, both of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the identical resolution and you can expect similar quality of photos although you might want to factor the age of the products into consideration. The fresher FX90 will have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic FX90 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FX90 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FX90 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FX90 Portrait photography info
Sony W290 Portrait photography info
21
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
external flash not possible
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
27
manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FX90 Street photography highlights
Sony W290 Street photography highlights
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
boasts focus by touch
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
56
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FX90 as a Sports photography camera
Sony W290 as a Sports photography camera
30
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking focus
slow frames per second (4.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
low MP (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery (200 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect AF
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FX90 as a Travel photography camera
Sony W290 as a Travel photography camera
60
boasts focus by touch
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
terrible battery (200 CIPA)
low MP (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.5)
57
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FX90 Landscape photography factors
Sony W290 Landscape photography factors
36
pretty wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.5)
no manual mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
terrible battery (200 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
41
manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not possible
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FX90 Vlogging details
Sony W290 Vlogging details
33
pretty wide (24mm)
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.5)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
doesn't have microphone socket
28
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic socket
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Panasonic FX90 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FX90 and Sony W290
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX90Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX90 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-08-26 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 area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.5-5.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range 3cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 2 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.90 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 exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 149 gr (0.33 lbs) 167 gr (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 102 x 56 x 22mm (4.0" x 2.2" 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
Battery life 200 photos -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch price $227 $230