Clicky

Panasonic S1 vs Sony W290

Portability
96
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Panasonic S1 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Panasonic S1
(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
Sony W290
(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
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

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").

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

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.

Photography Glossary

				

Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Sony W290

 S1 W290 
AnnouncedJanuary 2011February 2009More recent by 23 months

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Panasonic S1

 W290 S1 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic S1 and Sony W290

 S1 W290 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kSame 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Panasonic S1 vs Sony W290 size comparison

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

Panasonic S1 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S1 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S1 Portrait photography advice
Sony W290 Portrait photography advice
21
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
27
you can focus manually
no manual control
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic S1
Street photography with Sony W290
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (117g)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic S1
Sports photography with Sony W290
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
25
image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Travel Comparison

Panasonic S1 Travel photography information
Sony W290 Travel photography information
62
lighter than others (117g)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
57
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
MP count low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S1 Landscape photography highlights
Sony W290 Landscape photography highlights
32
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
lack of manual mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
41
you can focus manually
fairly wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
lack of Time Lapse mode
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony W290 as a Vlogging camera
31
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (117 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic jack
28
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic support
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Panasonic S1 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S1 and Sony W290
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1Sony 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