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Panasonic LF1 vs Sony W290

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
55
Overall
44
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Panasonic LF1 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Panasonic LF1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400 (Boost to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-200mm (F2.0-5.9) lens
  • 192g - 103 x 62 x 28mm
  • Introduced November 2013
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
  • Released February 2009
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Panasonic LF1 vs Sony W290 Overview

On this page, we will be comparing the Panasonic LF1 versus Sony W290, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the LF1 (12MP) and the W290 (12MP) is relatively similar but the LF1 (1/1.7") and W290 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The LF1 was introduced 4 years later than the W290 and that is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a short highlight of how the LF1 matches up vs the W290 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LF1 over the Sony W290

 LF1 W290 
ReleasedNovember 2013February 2009More recent by 59 months
Screen resolution920k230kCrisper screen (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Panasonic LF1

 W290 LF1 

Common features in the Panasonic LF1 and Sony W290

 LF1 W290 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Panasonic LF1 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to lug around your camera regularly, you have to think about its weight and volume. The Panasonic LF1 provides exterior dimensions of 103mm x 62mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs) whilst the Sony W290 has sizing of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic LF1 versus Sony W290 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you choose at that moment. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the LF1 and the W290.

Panasonic LF1 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the LF1 and W290 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic LF1 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LF1 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very difficult to envision the contrast between sensor measurements merely by going over specs. The visual underneath will give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the LF1 and W290.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras provide the same resolution albeit not the same sensor measurements. The LF1 offers the bigger sensor which will make achieving shallower DOF simpler. The newer LF1 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic LF1 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LF1 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LF1 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LF1 Portrait photography info
Sony W290 Portrait photography info
42
you can focus manually
has face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
27
you can focus manually
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic LF1 Street photography info
Sony W290 Street photography info
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LF1 Sports photography information
Sony W290 Sports photography information
38
has image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking focus
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
does not have phase detect AF
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic LF1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony W290 as a Travel photography camera
64
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low megapixels (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
57
built-in flash
quite wide (28mm)
no Timelapse function
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic LF1 Landscape photography info
Sony W290 Landscape photography info
54
you can focus manually
really wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
doesn't have Timelapse mode
41
you can focus manually
quite wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual mode
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LF1 Vlogging factors
Sony W290 Vlogging factors
36
really wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone port
28
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone port
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Panasonic LF1 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LF1 and Sony W290
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2013-11-26 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Max enhanced ISO 12800 -
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-200mm (7.1x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.0-5.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range 3cm 10cm
Crop factor 4.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 920k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 2 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.00 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 192 grams (0.42 lb) 167 grams (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 103 x 62 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.1") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 52 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 20.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.6 not tested
DXO Low light rating 211 not tested
Other
Battery life 250 shots -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $500 $230