Clicky

Panasonic FZ60 vs Sony A290

Portability
68
Imaging
39
Features
48
Overall
42
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ60 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Panasonic FZ60 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Panasonic FZ60
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 493g - 120 x 81 x 92mm
  • Launched July 2012
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FZ62
Sony A290
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Announced June 2010
  • Replaced the Sony A230
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Panasonic FZ60 vs Sony A290 Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Panasonic FZ60 vs Sony A290, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the FZ60 (16MP) and the A290 (14MP) is very well matched but the FZ60 (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor sizing.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

The FZ60 was launched 2 years after the A290 which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FZ60 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting in to a thorough comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the FZ60 scores versus the A290 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

				

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ60 over the Sony A290

 FZ60 A290 
AnnouncedJuly 2012June 2010More modern by 26 months
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Panasonic FZ60

 A290 FZ60 

Common features in the Panasonic FZ60 and Sony A290

 FZ60 A290 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Panasonic FZ60 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FZ60 enjoys outer measurements of 120mm x 81mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") along with a weight of 493 grams (1.09 lbs) whilst the Sony A290 has measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic FZ60 vs Sony A290 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the FZ60 compared to the A290.

Panasonic FZ60 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FZ60 and A290 is 68 and 66 respectively.

Panasonic FZ60 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ60 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is tough to envision the difference between sensor sizes just by reading through specs. The pic below will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the FZ60 and A290.

All in all, the 2 cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The FZ60 due to its tinier sensor will make getting bokeh more difficult and the Panasonic FZ60 will give extra detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images much more aggressively. The fresher FZ60 will have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Panasonic FZ60 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ60 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ60 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ60 Portrait photography details
Sony A290 Portrait photography details
43
manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
comes with face detection focus
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
65
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
supports RAW files
does not have liveview
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Street Comparison

Panasonic FZ60 as a Street photography camera
Sony A290 as a Street photography camera
44
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
heavier than others in class (493 grams)
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
fixed screen
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Sports Comparison

Panasonic FZ60 Sports photography information
Sony A290 Sports photography information
55
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
better than average battery (450 shots)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
does not have liveview
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
terrible battery pack (290 CIPA)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Travel Comparison

Panasonic FZ60 Travel photography factors
Sony A290 Travel photography factors
57
better than average battery (450 CIPA)
megapixel count good (16MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
heavier than others in class (493 grams)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
53
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
terrible battery pack (290 per charge)
does not have selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FZ60
Landscape photography with Sony A290
49
manual focus
relatively wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
better than average battery (450 per charge)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
58
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
does not have liveview
terrible battery pack (290 shots)
lack of Time Lapse mode
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ60 Vlogging highlights
Sony A290 Vlogging highlights
27
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
missing external mic jack
heavier than others in class (493 grams)
9
can't shoot video
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Panasonic FZ60 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ60 and Sony A290
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ60Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ60 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Also Known as Lumix DMC-FZ62 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2012-07-18 2010-06-09
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.2 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Available lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT Screen LCD Display -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 202 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 13.50 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD -
Mic 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 493g (1.09 pounds) 549g (1.21 pounds)
Dimensions 120 x 81 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 66
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.5
DXO Low light score not tested 615
Other
Battery life 450 shots 290 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $350 $600