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Panasonic S2 vs Sony H90

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
29
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H90 front
Portability
91
Imaging
38
Features
35
Overall
36

Panasonic S2 vs Sony H90 Key Specs

Panasonic S2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 112g - 98 x 57 x 21mm
  • Announced January 2012
Sony H90
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 222g - 105 x 60 x 34mm
  • Launched February 2012
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Panasonic S2 vs Sony H90 Overview

On this page, we will be evaluating the Panasonic S2 and Sony H90, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the S2 (14MP) and the H90 (16MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras provide the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The S2 was manufactured within a month of the H90 and they are of a similar generation. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a short summation of how the S2 scores against the H90 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Sony H90

 S2 H90 

Reasons to pick Sony H90 over the Panasonic S2

 H90 S2 
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kSharper screen (+231k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic S2 and Sony H90

 S2 H90 
LaunchedJanuary 2012February 2012Same generation
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Panasonic S2 vs Sony H90 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry around your camera regularly, you will need to think about its weight and size. The Panasonic S2 enjoys physical dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") having a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs) whilst the Sony H90 has specifications of 105mm x 60mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 222 grams (0.49 lbs).

See the Panasonic S2 and Sony H90 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the S2 versus the H90.

Panasonic S2 vs Sony H90 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the S2 and H90 is 96 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic S2 vs Sony H90 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Sony H90 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very difficult to visualize the gap in sensor sizes simply by going through specs. The image underneath will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the S2 and H90.

All in all, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Sony H90 to produce greater detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots a bit more aggressively.

Panasonic S2 vs Sony H90 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Sony H90 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S2 vs Sony H90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S2 Portrait photography details
Sony H90 Portrait photography details
33
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
supports face detection focus
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
36
MP count decent (16MP)
supports face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic S2
Street photography with Sony H90
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (112 grams)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (222g)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S2 Sports photography factors
Sony H90 Sports photography factors
39
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
good battery power (280 CIPA)
max fps low (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
44
great zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
slow frames per second (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S2 Travel photography details
Sony H90 Travel photography details
70
good battery power (280 shots)
lighter than others (112 grams)
megapixel count good (14MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
69
lighter than competition in class (222 grams)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
long zoom (384mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S2 Landscape photography factors
Sony H90 Landscape photography factors
41
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
good battery power (280 per charge)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
44
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic S2
Vlogging with Sony H90
32
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
lighter than others (112 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone socket
32
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
lighter than competition in class (222 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone socket
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Panasonic S2 vs Sony H90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S2 and Sony H90
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H90
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H90
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2012-01-09 2012-02-28
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 23 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-6.5 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range 5cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dots 461k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT Color LCD ClearPhoto TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.30 m 3.70 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 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 file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 112 gr (0.25 lbs) 222 gr (0.49 lbs)
Physical dimensions 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 105 x 60 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 280 shots 290 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Launch price $109 $230