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Panasonic G2 vs Sony A290

Portability
72
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Panasonic G2 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Panasonic G2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 428g - 124 x 84 x 74mm
  • Announced July 2010
  • Succeeded the Panasonic G1
  • Successor is Panasonic G3
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
  • Revealed June 2010
  • Older Model is Sony A230
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Panasonic G2 vs Sony A290 Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Panasonic G2 vs Sony A290, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the G2 (12MP) and the A290 (14MP) is very comparable but the G2 (Four Thirds) and A290 (APS-C) posses different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The G2 was revealed 2 months later than the A290 and they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Panasonic G2 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving straight to a full comparison, here is a concise summation of how the G2 matches up vs the A290 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic G2 over the Sony A290

 G2 A290 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Panasonic G2

 A290 G2 

Common features in the Panasonic G2 and Sony A290

 G2 A290 
RevealedJuly 2010June 2010Same age
Manual focus Dial exact focus

Panasonic G2 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic G2 has got physical measurements of 124mm x 84mm x 74mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.9") having a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs) and the Sony A290 has dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") having a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic G2 vs Sony A290 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you select at the time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the G2 against the A290.

Panasonic G2 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the G2 and A290 is 72 and 66 respectively.

Panasonic G2 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic G2 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be tough to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing just by going through technical specs. The visual underneath will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the G2 and A290.

As you have seen, both cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The G2 with its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field trickier and the Sony A290 will produce extra detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop pics a bit more aggressively.

Panasonic G2 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Panasonic G2 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic G2 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic G2 Portrait photography info
Sony A290 Portrait photography info
60
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focus
saves RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
65
has manual focus
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
no liveview feature
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Street Comparison

Panasonic G2 Street photography highlights
Sony A290 Street photography highlights
65
screen articulates fully
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
boasts touch focus
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than average in class (428g)
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic G2
Sports photography with Sony A290
40
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
has no phase detect auto focus
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
no liveview feature
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
low battery life (290 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic G2 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A290 as a Travel photography camera
58
boasts touch focus
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
no Timelapse mode
more heavy than average in class (428 grams)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
53
decent megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse function
low battery life (290 shots)
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic G2 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A290 Landscape photography highlights
57
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
no Timelapse mode
58
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no liveview feature
low battery life (290 shots)
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic G2
Vlogging with Sony A290
61
selfie friendly display
has touchscreen
includes face detection focus
includes external microphone support
does not have image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
more heavy than average in class (428 grams)
9
lack of video recording
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Panasonic G2 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic G2 and Sony A290
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2010-07-12 2010-06-09
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine HD II Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 107 143
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 1,440k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x 0.55x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 11.00 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video format AVCHD Lite, Motion JPEG -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 428 gr (0.94 pounds) 549 gr (1.21 pounds)
Physical dimensions 124 x 84 x 74mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.9") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 53 66
DXO Color Depth score 21.2 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score 10.3 11.5
DXO Low light score 493 615
Other
Battery life 360 photos 290 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $1,000 $600