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Panasonic G5 vs Sony W290

Portability
74
Imaging
52
Features
66
Overall
57
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Panasonic G5 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Panasonic G5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 396g - 120 x 83 x 71mm
  • Released July 2012
  • Old Model is Panasonic G3
  • Newer Model is Panasonic G6
Sony W290
(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
  • Launched February 2009
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Panasonic G5 vs Sony W290 Overview

The following is a complete comparison of the Panasonic G5 versus Sony W290, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. There exists a sizable gap among the sensor resolutions of the G5 (16MP) and W290 (12MP) and the G5 (Four Thirds) and W290 (1/2.3") possess different sensor sizes.

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The G5 was launched 3 years after the W290 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic G5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony W290 being a Compact camera.

Before going through a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise overview of how the G5 grades versus the W290 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic G5 over the Sony W290

 G5 W290 
LaunchedJuly 2012February 2009Newer by 42 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution920k230kSharper screen (+690k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Panasonic G5

 W290 G5 

Common features in the Panasonic G5 and Sony W290

 G5 W290 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions

Panasonic G5 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic G5 comes with exterior dimensions of 120mm x 83mm x 71mm (4.7" x 3.3" x 2.8") along with a weight of 396 grams (0.87 lbs) while the Sony W290 has measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic G5 versus Sony W290 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have at that moment. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the G5 and the W290.

Panasonic G5 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the G5 and W290 is 74 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic G5 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic G5 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's tough to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by looking through specifications. The image underneath will help give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the G5 and W290.

To sum up, both of the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The G5 featuring a bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field simpler and the Panasonic G5 will result in more detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots far more aggressively. The more recent G5 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic G5 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Panasonic G5 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic G5 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic G5 Portrait photography advice
Sony W290 Portrait photography advice
71
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
27
you can focus manually
manual mode not available
no external flash support
low resolution (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic G5 Street photography features
Sony W290 Street photography features
66
screen can move to multiple angles
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
comes with touch focus
does not have image stabilization
heavier than competition in class (396g)
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic G5 Sports photography advice
Sony W290 Sports photography advice
51
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
lack of phase detect AF
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
low resolution (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic G5
Travel photography with Sony W290
66
comes with touch focus
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition in class (396 grams)
57
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low resolution (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic G5
Landscape photography with Sony W290
65
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3")
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
41
you can focus manually
fairly wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not available
low resolution (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic G5 Vlogging info
Sony W290 Vlogging info
62
display is selfie friendly
has touchscreen
includes face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have mic socket
heavier than competition in class (396g)
28
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone jack
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Panasonic G5 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic G5 and Sony W290
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Released 2012-07-17 2009-02-17
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine VII FHD -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 12800 3200
Minimum native ISO 160 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range - 10cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 920k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,440k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 2 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 10.50 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25fps 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4
Microphone 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 396 gr (0.87 lbs) 167 gr (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 120 x 83 x 71mm (4.7" x 3.3" x 2.8") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 61 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.6 not tested
DXO Low light score 618 not tested
Other
Battery life 320 pictures -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $699 $230