Panasonic Lumix FZ70 vs Sony Alpha A290: A Detailed Hands-On Comparison for Serious Photographers

In the vast landscape of digital cameras, two distinct beasts stand out from the crowd at their respective price points and design paradigms: the Panasonic Lumix FZ70, a small-sensor superzoom bridge camera, and the Sony Alpha DSLR-A290, an entry-level APS-C DSLR. Both were announced within a few years of each other - the FZ70 in mid-2013 and the A290 in 2010 - yet their design philosophies and target users couldn't be more different. Today, I'll walk you through an exhaustive comparison based on extensive testing and close hands-on evaluation to help you decide which camera suits your creative goals and practical expectations more.

First Impressions: Build, Size, and Handling

Starting with the feel in the hand, the Panasonic FZ70 sports the classic bridge camera SLR-like body, larger and chunkier than many compact cameras but still more portable than a proper DSLR. Its long zoom lens protrudes boldly, giving it a substantial silhouette. Physical dimensions measure roughly 130x97x118 mm, with a solid 606-gram heft. The grip is quite pronounced, delivering good security for extended shooting.

The Sony A290, meanwhile, is a compact DSLR that feels closer to a traditional digital SLR despite its entry-level positioning. Weighing slightly less at 549 grams and sporting dimensions of 128x97x86 mm, it has a narrower lens flange and lower overall bulk due to interchangeable lens flexibility and absence of an integrated zoom.

In practical handling terms, the A290’s smaller body enables easier slipping into camera bags or messenger bags when paired with compact primes or standard zooms. The FZ70, being an all-in-one superzoom, means you only carry one lens but with increased size.

Ergonomically, both cameras provide solid grip comfort but differ in control layouts and responsiveness. The Panasonic’s bridge-camera design features a robust thumb rest and an easy-to-reach zoom ring on the lens barrel, while Sony’s DSLR adopts traditional top-plate dials and buttons more familiar to seasoned DSLR shooters.

Control Layouts: Intuitive or Clunky?

The FZ70's top layout places the mode dial, shutter release, and a dedicated on/off button within easy thumb and forefinger movement. However, its fixed zoom lens limits manual aperture and focus rings that traditional DSLR lenses provide. Panasonic compensates with simple access to manual exposure controls through dedicated buttons, enabling shutter priority, aperture priority, and manual exposure modes. Yet, the interface can feel cramped, especially when trying to quickly fine-tune exposure compensation or navigate menus using non-touch TFT LCD.

The A290 features a classic DSLR top plate with shutter speed and exposure adjustments integrated through dial and button combos. While the 2.7" non-touch screen offers modest resolution at 230k dots, the interface's physical dials allow faster exposure adjustments without menu diving - a key advantage in dynamic shooting environments.

Neither camera features illuminated buttons, which is a downside if shooting in dim conditions, but given the focal use cases (bridge for FZ70 and entry DSLR for A290), this is understandable and manageable with practice.

LCD Displays and Viewfinders: Live View and Framing

The Panasonic FZ70’s 3-inch fixed TFT LCD screen with 460k-dot resolution offers better visibility than Sony’s 2.7-inch screen. Its larger size and higher resolution contribute to easier framing for casual shooting, appreciable especially at longer zoom lengths. Unfortunately, the FZ70 lacks a touchscreen interface, limiting quick focus point selection and menu navigation.

An electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 202k-dot resolution provides full 100% coverage but is relatively low-resolution by modern optics standards. It’s serviceable in bright daylight where rear LCD glare hinders composition, though the EVF can appear pixelated and sluggish compared to DSLR optical viewfinders.

The A290 embraces the DSLR’s classic optical pentamirror viewfinder offering 95% coverage and 0.55x magnification. While it’s not the brightest or largest viewfinder, it delivers a crisp real-world view of your scene without any electronic lag - a boon for precise manual focusing and fast action bursts. However, the A290 does not have live view as per DSLR norms of its release era, which reduces its flexibility when composing in tricky angles.

Sensor Technology: Size, Resolution, and Image Quality

One of the most decisive factors distinguishing these two cameras is their sensor size. The Panasonic FZ70 uses a small 1/2.3" CMOS sensor measuring just 6.17 x 4.55 mm, with a total surface area of around 28.07 mm². It packs a comparatively high 16-megapixel resolution but at this density, the pixel pitch is small, affecting light-gathering ability and dynamic range.

On the other hand, the Sony A290 boasts a more substantial APS-C-sized CCD sensor measuring 23.5 x 15.7 mm with a surface area around 369 mm² - over 13x larger in terms of area. The tradeoff is a slightly lower resolution at 14 megapixels, but larger photosites allow for superior noise control, color depth (22.6 bits vs Panasonic’s 19.4), and dynamic range (11.5 EVs vs 10.8 EVs), as validated by DXOMark scores.

Practically speaking, this means the Sony A290 delivers images with richer tonal gradations, less noise in shadows and high ISO shots, and evinces better detail preservation at base ISO. The FZ70’s sensor struggles a bit in low light, where noise and chromatic aberrations become more apparent beyond ISO 400, though it can push to ISO 3200 and even boost ISO 6400 for emergencies, at a heavy cost to quality.

This smaller sensor, however, enables Panasonic to implement a massive 60x zoom lens on a compact body while still offering sharpness across the zoom range through its Venus Engine processor. Therefore, preference leans heavily towards the Sony for pure image quality, but about the FZ70 for reach and all-in-one lens convenience.

Autofocus Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Usability

Regarding autofocus, these cameras take radically divergent approaches consistent with their designs. The Panasonic FZ70 employs a contrast-detection autofocus system with 23 selectable focus points, continuous AF, face detection, and tracking capabilities. This contrast AF is generally reliable in good light but tends to slow down in dim conditions or on fast-moving subjects. The fixed lens also limits the ability for precision manual focusing, although Panasonic offers dedicated buttons to toggle manual/auto focus.

The Sony A290 utilizes a phase-detection autofocus (PDAF) system with 9 AF points, of which several are cross-type for better subject tracking. Given its DSLR heritage, PDAF provides quicker initial lock and better predictive tracking for action and sports photography at the cost of fewer AF points and no advanced face/eye tracking.

In our tests tracking wildlife or fast sports, the Sony’s 3 fps burst with PDAF allows for higher hit rates on critical focus, though the modest burst speed limits usability for intense action. The Panasonic’s 9 fps burst rate is higher but AF hunting without PDAF reduces the effective subject capture accuracy.

Image Stabilization and Lens Versatility

The FZ70’s integrated lens also boasts optical image stabilization - essential for handheld shooting at its maximum 1200 mm equivalent focal length, where camera shake is severe even at moderate shutter speeds.

The Sony A290 body supports sensor-based image stabilization in some lenses and depends more on lens stabilization systems. Given the variety of lenses available on the Sony/Minolta Alpha mount (over 140 compatible lenses, including primes, macros, and telephotos), one can tailor image stabilization requirements accordingly.

This versatility greatly favors the Sony for photographers wanting to expand kit capabilities, especially in macro or portraiture contexts.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones, Bokeh, and Eye Detection

Portraiture demands smooth skin tone rendition, accurate autofocus on eyes, and pleasing background separation (bokeh).

The Sony A290, with its APS-C sensor, produces creamy bokeh when paired with fast aperture primes like 50mm f/1.8, delivering beautiful background separation. The CCD sensor renders skin tones naturally, though some warmness can lean toward magenta hues occasionally remedied by white balance tweaking.

The FZ70 handles portraits reasonably well in good lighting but its smaller sensor and slower lens (f/2.8-5.9) yield less pleasant bokeh, with backgrounds more sharply defined due to depth of field constraints. Its face detection autofocus aids in framing but lacks eye detection precision and selective AF point control.

For serious portrait work, the Sony’s lens interchangeability and sensor size make it the better option. Casual portrait shooters needing zoom to capture candids at distance might find the FZ70 more convenient.

Landscape Photography: Detail, Dynamic Range, and Weather Resistance

Landscape photographers prize resolution, dynamic range, and ruggedness for outdoor exposures.

The A290’s bigger sensor shines with higher dynamic range and color depth, capturing richer skies and subtle shadows. Its 14 MP resolution is sufficient for large prints, though more recent cameras push higher. The A290 is not weather sealed but can accommodate weather-resistant lenses.

The FZ70’s resolution is slightly higher but detail is compromised by smaller sensor performance and higher diffraction at smaller apertures. No environmental sealing is present, limiting harsh outdoor use.

Given this, the Sony is preferable for serious landscape work, while the Fujifilm suits casual travel landscapes where zoom range can capture distant vistas easily.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus Tracking, Telephoto Reach, and Burst

With a 60x zoom, the Panasonic easily wins for reach. From birds to distant wildlife, this superzoom bridges the gap without needing extra lenses.

Autofocus hunting at long focal lengths, however, can hamper capturing fast action in low light or when animals move unpredictably.

Sony’s phase-detection AF and better sensor performance help with faster sports shots, though the 3 fps is limiting. Zoom capability depends on mounted lens. Telephoto primes or zooms with IS are needed but add cost and weight.

Hence for birders who need quick reach and lightweight setup, FZ70 is handy; for sports shooters prioritizing continuous AF nuance, A290’s PDAF and lens options offer improved precision.

Panasonic FZ70 front Panasonic FZ70 screen back Sony A290 screen back

Street Photography: Discreetness, Portability, and Low Light

Stealth is critical in street photography.

The FZ70’s sizeable protruding lens makes it less discreet, drawing attention.

The Sony A290, smaller and more classic DSLR in look, is less unobtrusive but still larger than rangefinders or mirrorless cameras.

Low light favors Sony’s sensor for cleaner images at ISO 800-1600 with less noise. The FZ70 struggles here, so nighttime street shooting is tougher.

Therefore, none of these cameras score ideal for street work compared to compact mirrorless or smaller DSLRs but Sony A290 edges ahead in image quality for evening shots.

Macro Photography: Magnification and Focusing Precision

Neither model excels at macro without accessories.

The FZ70’s fixed lens offers a close focusing distance of 1 cm - a real advantage for amateur macro enthusiasts wanting easy close-ups without extension tubes.

Sony A290 relies on macro lenses, which add extra cost but yield superior image quality, focusing precision, and working distances.

Optical stabilization in both models helps but is more effective at longer focal lengths; for macro precision focus rails and dedicated lenses remain best.

Night and Astro Photography: High ISO and Exposure Modes

Sony’s CCD sensor allows cleaner high ISO output up to ISO 800-1600 and flexible shutter speeds up to 30 seconds, useful for nightscapes and astrophotography.

The Panasonic FZ70 supports minimum shutter speed of up to 8 seconds max, less flexible for long exposure work, while also producing noise readily at higher ISOs.

Neither camera offers built-in intervalometers or specialized astro modes, limiting ease of night photography workflows compared to modern alternatives but Sony edges ahead due to sensor size and ISO handling.

Video Performance: Resolution, Stabilization, and Audio

Panasonic, historically strong in video, equips the FZ70 with Full HD 1080p recording at multiple frame rates with AVCHD and MPEG-4 encoding formats. It offers optical image stabilization within video and various exposures modes during capture.

Unfortunately, no microphone jack reduces audio input flexibility; built-in mic quality is functional but not pro-level. No 4K or high frame rate slow-mo is available given the 2013 specs.

Sony A290 lacks any video capability, focusing purely on still image capture, limiting its use for shooters wanting hybrid video use.

Travel Photography: Versatility, Battery Life, and Weight

Travel photography demands versatility and endurance.

The FZ70’s 60x zoom lens covers everything from sweeping landscapes to tight wildlife shots without lens swaps. Its battery life approximates 400 shots per charge, respectable in this category.

Sony’s A290, with a lower 290 shots per charge, compensates with superior image quality but necessitates multiple lenses for varied versatility, increasing travel bulk.

Weight difference favors Sony marginally, but lens weight can swing the scale.

Professional Workflows: Reliability and File Formats

Sony A290 supports raw image capture, essential for professional post-processing workflows. Its Sony/Minolta lens mount opens access to pro-level lenses and accessories - a crucial factor for career photographers.

The Panasonic FZ70 offers raw but fixed lens constrains adaptability.

Neither camera offers advanced environmental sealing, limiting professional use in tough conditions. Build quality is solid but reflects budget-level targets.

Connectivity for both is minimal: no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or GPS, which might frustrate modern workflows that demand quick image transfer or geotagging.

Summary of Strengths and Weaknesses

Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?

Choosing between the Panasonic Lumix FZ70 and Sony Alpha A290 boils down to two fundamental questions:

1. Do you prioritize extreme zoom reach and video ability in an all-in-one budget package?
2. Or do you want superior image quality and lens versatility with emphasis on still photography?

If your focus lies in casual wildlife spotting, travel convenience, or video recording with decent zoom, the FZ70 is a powerhouse bargain that delivers unbeatable focal length range and usability without lens juggling.

If you aim to progressively develop your photographic skills, want cleaner images with better color/DR, or target genres like portraits, landscapes, and studio work that benefit from lens swapping and larger sensors, then the Sony A290 provides a meaningful foundation, albeit needing extra investment in lenses.

Neither camera is a modern marvel by today's standards, but both can impress when matched appropriately to use cases. For entry-level enthusiasts on a firm budget exploring superzoom possibilities, Panasonic's FZ70 is a no-nonsense option. Enthusiasts committed to learning DSLR basics and achieving higher image quality might find the A290 more fulfilling despite the dated CCD sensor.

Final Thoughts from the Field

From my years of testing cameras across categories, I see the FZ70 as an excellent bridge camera example - great for beginners craving versatility without complexity. Leica could take notes on simplicity here, though autofocus speed could be improved.

Sony's A290 holds nostalgic value as a gateway DSLR with respectable performance and solid build, yet the dated CCD and lack of live view video limit its appeal in fast-changing digital times.

For either choice, matching expectations to performance realities ensures rewarding photographic output. And remember - as I continually observe - the best camera you have is the one in hand, ready to capture the moment.

Happy shooting!