Panasonic S1 vs Sony W290
96 Imaging
35 Features
21 Overall
29


94 Imaging
34 Features
28 Overall
31
Panasonic S1 vs Sony W290 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
- 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
- Revealed January 2011
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-140mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
- 167g - 98 x 57 x 23mm
- Announced February 2009

Panasonic S1 vs Sony W290 Overview
Lets look more closely at the Panasonic S1 and Sony W290, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the S1 (12MP) and the W290 (12MP) is very well matched and both cameras boast the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

The S1 was launched 23 months later than the W290 making them a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before diving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the S1 grades vs the W290 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Panasonic S1 vs Sony W290 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290. The complete galleries are viewable at Panasonic S1 Gallery and Sony W290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Sony W290
S1 | W290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | January 2011 | ![]() | February 2009 | More recent by 23 months |
Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Panasonic S1
W290 | S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Common features in the Panasonic S1 and Sony W290
S1 | W290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Same display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither has Touch display |
Panasonic S1 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison
If you're looking to lug around your camera frequently, you should consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic S1 has external measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) while the Sony W290 has dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Take a look at the Panasonic S1 and Sony W290 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the S1 versus the W290.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the S1 and W290 is 96 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic S1 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison
Generally, its hard to see the contrast between sensor measurements simply by checking specifications. The graphic underneath will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the S1 and W290.
To sum up, the two cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same exact megapixels therefore you should expect similar quality of photos though you need to take the release date of the products into consideration. The younger S1 is going to have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Panasonic S1 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Sony W290 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Panasonic | Sony |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2011-01-05 | 2009-02-17 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Venus Engine IV | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-112mm (4.0x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.1-5.6 | f/3.3-5.2 |
Macro focusing distance | 5cm | 10cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 2.7 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display technology | TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 8 seconds | 2 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/1600 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | - | 2.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.30 m | 3.90 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 117g (0.26 lbs) | 167g (0.37 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") | 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 240 pictures | - |
Battery style | Battery Pack | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Cost at release | $269 | $230 |