Clicky

Panasonic LZ40 vs Sony A290

Portability
67
Imaging
45
Features
35
Overall
41
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Panasonic LZ40 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Panasonic LZ40
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 22-924mm (F3.0-6.5) lens
  • 524g - 126 x 87 x 94mm
  • Released January 2014
  • Older Model is Panasonic LZ30
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
  • Introduced June 2010
  • Earlier Model is Sony A230
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Panasonic LZ40 vs Sony A290 Overview

In this write-up, we are comparing the Panasonic LZ40 vs Sony A290, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Panasonic and Sony. There exists a big gap between the sensor resolutions of the LZ40 (20MP) and A290 (14MP) and the LZ40 (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor size.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

The LZ40 was introduced 3 years later than the A290 and that is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic LZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving straight into a complete comparison, below is a simple summary of how the LZ40 grades against the A290 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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

Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ40 over the Sony A290

 LZ40 A290 
IntroducedJanuary 2014June 2010More recent by 44 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Panasonic LZ40

 A290 LZ40 
Manually focus More precise focus

Common features in the Panasonic LZ40 and Sony A290

 LZ40 A290 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Panasonic LZ40 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to lug around your camera often, you will want to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic LZ40 comes with external dimensions of 126mm x 87mm x 94mm (5.0" x 3.4" x 3.7") having a weight of 524 grams (1.16 lbs) and the Sony A290 has specifications of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") along with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Check the Panasonic LZ40 vs Sony A290 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the LZ40 against the A290.

Panasonic LZ40 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the LZ40 and A290 is 67 and 66 respectively.

Panasonic LZ40 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LZ40 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its hard to visualise the gap between sensor measurements merely by reading through specs. The photograph underneath should give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the LZ40 and A290.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The LZ40 using its tinier sensor will make shooting shallow DOF tougher and the Panasonic LZ40 will resolve greater detail using its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics far more aggressively. The more modern LZ40 will have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic LZ40 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LZ40 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LZ40 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LZ40 Portrait photography highlights
Sony A290 Portrait photography highlights
40
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
supports face detection focusing
no manual focus
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
65
you can focus manually
MP count good (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
does not have liveview
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic LZ40
Street photography with Sony A290
45
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
heavier than competition (524 grams)
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no moving screen
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Panasonic LZ40 Sports photography factors
Sony A290 Sports photography factors
47
incredible zoom range (22-924mm 42.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
slow fps (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
does not have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
low battery (290 CIPA)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Travel Comparison

Panasonic LZ40 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A290 as a Travel photography camera
55
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (22mm)
long reach (924mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
heavier than competition (524 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
53
MP count good (14MP)
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse mode
low battery (290 CIPA)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic LZ40 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A290 as a Landscape photography camera
44
relatively wide (22mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
lack of Time Lapse function
58
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
does not have liveview
low battery (290 per charge)
missing Time Lapse mode
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LZ40 Vlogging information
Sony A290 Vlogging information
27
relatively wide (22mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
has external mic support
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
heavier than competition (524g)
9
can't shoot video
Cutting-edge AI developed by Apple deciphers subtle nuances in pixels

Panasonic LZ40 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LZ40 and Sony A290
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2014-01-06 2010-06-09
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5152 x 3864 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 22-924mm (42.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.5 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Available lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 10.80 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video format 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 524 grams (1.16 lb) 549 grams (1.21 lb)
Dimensions 126 x 87 x 94mm (5.0" x 3.4" x 3.7") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 66
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.5
DXO Low light rating not tested 615
Other
Battery life 320 pictures 290 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $219 $600