Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony W290: In-Depth Comparison of Two Compact Cameras for Enthusiasts and Pros

Compact cameras, despite the smartphone bombshells, continue to intrigue photography enthusiasts who want dedicated optics and ergonomics in a pocket-ready form. Today, I’ve put two affordable compact models head-to-head: Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290. Both compact with small sensors, these models target casual shooters seeking simplicity but come with differing design philosophies and capabilities.

Having extensively tested both cameras over varied scenarios including portraiture, landscapes, wildlife, and video, I’m sharing hands-on experience to help you determine which best fits your photography style and budget. Let’s start by unpacking their physical design and handling.

Compactness and Handling - Small but Significant Differences

At first glance, the Panasonic SZ1 (99x59x21mm, 131g) and Sony W290 (98x57x23mm, 167g) look very similar. Both fit comfortably in a jacket pocket, ideal for travel or street photography where discreteness is king. However, subtle differences affect how they feel during extended shooting sessions.

The SZ1’s slimmer profile and lighter weight make it easier to carry all day without hand fatigue. Ergonomically, its slightly longer grip on the right side improves handling stability. In contrast, the W290 is a bit chunkier but feels more robust with a tactile finish that promotes secure grip even in humid conditions.

Both cameras lack an electronic viewfinder, relying solely on a 3-inch rear LCD to compose shots. This can be limiting in bright sunlight but expected in this category.

The top control layouts reinforce their user-friendly approach. Panasonic opts for minimalistic controls: shutter release, zoom lever, and a mode dial that’s straightforward but excludes any manual exposures. Sony’s design, though slightly busier, gives access to manual focus - an unusual feature in this price/segment which appeals for creative control.

From a hands-on perspective, I appreciate the SZ1’s simplified interface for casual shooting and quick point-and-shoot readiness, while the W290’s manual focus option caters to users who want greater depth control or macro precision.

Sensor and Image Quality: A Tale of Resolution and Processing

Both cameras house 1/2.3" CCD sensors, the quintessential small sensor format commonly found in budget compacts. The Panasonic SZ1 packs a higher 16MP resolution (4608x3456 pixels), whereas the Sony W290 offers 12MP (4000x3000 pixels).

This difference in pixel count translates into subtly sharper images and more flexibility for cropping from the SZ1. However, a larger number of pixels on the small 1/2.3" sensor can sometimes mean more noise at higher ISOs due to smaller pixel pitch. I tested both extensively at varying ISO settings:

• Low ISO performance (100–400): Panasonic’s 16MP sensor delivers crisp, reasonably detailed images with natural colors. Sony’s 12MP sensor produces slightly softer images but with very clean noise levels and pleasing color reproduction.
• High ISO performance (800–1600): Noise grows noticeably on both, but Panasonic’s images start degrading faster with increased grain and color shift beyond ISO 400. Sony holds up better at ISO 800, which may be advantageous in dim lighting.

Dynamic range, the ability to retain highlight and shadow details, is modest in both but edges slightly in favor of Sony. I found Panasonic’s sensor prone to highlight clipping in bright outdoor shoots, while the W290 captures better tonal gradation.

One critical limitation shared by both models is the lack of RAW support - files are limited to JPEG only. This severely restricts post-processing latitude, a big drawback for professionals or advanced enthusiasts who prefer maximum image control.

Display and User Interface - Clear, If Basic

Both cameras employ a fixed 3-inch TFT LCD with 230k pixel resolution. This is standard for the era and category but feels low-res by today’s standards. Color rendering on both screens is fairly accurate, though the Panasonic's panel shows slightly better contrast and viewing angles.

Neither LCD supports touch input. Navigation relies on directional buttons and preset function menus, which, while functional, can feel clunky compared to modern touch interfaces. However, both menus are logically designed, making the learning curve gentle for beginners.

A notable advantage of the Sony W290’s live view autofocus system is the manual focus option directly controllable via button or wheel - allowing precise focusing uncommon in entry-level compacts.

Lens and Optical Versatility - Zoom Range and Aperture

Both cameras feature fixed zoom lenses with optical image stabilization, vital for handheld shooting in low light.

• Panasonic SZ1: 25-250mm equivalent (10x zoom), aperture range f/3.1-5.9
• Sony W290: 28-140mm equivalent (5x zoom), aperture range f/3.3-5.2

Panasonic SZ1 front Panasonic SZ1 screen back Sony W290 front Sony W290 screen back

The Panasonic provides twice the zoom reach, which is attractive for wildlife and sports casual shooters. However, the trade-off is a narrower maximum aperture at telephoto end (F5.9), impacting low-light performance and depth of field control.

Sony’s lens boasts a faster aperture at the tele end (F5.2) with a slightly wider aperture at the wide-angle, helping achieve better bokeh and allowing more light in challenging conditions.

In practice, I found Panasonic’s lens more versatile for distant subjects such as wildlife or sports from afar. Meanwhile, Sony’s 5x zoom paired with its manual focus makes it a better choice for macro and artistic close-ups.

Autofocus: Speed, Accuracy, and Reliability

Autofocus systems can make or break a camera’s performance, especially for moving subjects.

• The Panasonic SZ1 features 23 contrast-detection focus points with face detection and continuous AF, impressive on paper for a compact in this class.
• The Sony W290 has 9 contrast-detection points with center-weighted AF, no face detection, and lacks continuous AF.

In hands-on testing, Panasonic’s AF was faster and more reliable, tracking subjects well in daylight and retaining focus on faces accurately. The face detection ensures portraits are sharp, a real plus for casual family shots.

Sony’s autofocus was slower and struggled with moving subjects, though manual focus partially compensates. Center-weighted AF is sufficient for still scenes but less flexible in dynamic environments.

Unfortunately, neither camera offers advanced tracking autofocus or animal eye AF, so wildlife or sports photographers seeking rapid focus acquisition should temper expectations.

Burst Shooting and Shutter Performance

When capturing action or fleeting moments, burst rates matter a great deal.

• Panasonic SZ1 shoots at 1 fps (frame per second), which is quite slow.
• Sony W290 delivers up to 2 fps burst speed.

Both are modest - far from sports or wildlife flagship speeds - but Sony edges out slightly. However, neither camera has advanced buffer capacities or silent shutter modes.

For dynamic shooting scenarios such as sports or kids playing, these frame rates limit your chances to capture perfect moments in a sequence.

Video Recording Capabilities - HD but No Extra Bells

Video specs are near-identical with both cameras offering HD 720p recording at 30 fps in MPEG-4 format, suitable for casual home movies and travel journals.

Neither model offers 4K video, external microphone input, headphone jacks, or advanced stabilization beyond optical IS. The Sony model uniquely supports HDMI output, which enables connection to external monitors - a small differentiator for video enthusiasts.

Overall, both are basic video shooters; while adequate for casual use, serious vloggers or filmmakers will need to look elsewhere.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

Regarding endurance:

• Panasonic SZ1 rated for approximately 250 shots per battery charge.
• Sony W290 battery life not officially stated but presumably similar or slightly lower considering higher weight.

Both utilize proprietary rechargeable battery packs and support common card types - Panasonic uses SD/SDHC/SDXC; Sony relies on Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo.

Neither camera includes wireless connectivity options (no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC), limiting ease of image transfers in today’s connected world.

On the ports front, Sony adds HDMI output; Panasonic sticks to USB 2.0 only.

Build Quality and Environmental Resistance

As typical of budget compacts, both cameras lack rugged features - no weather sealing, dustproofing, waterproofing, or shock resistance.

They are purely designed for gentle, casual usage. Given their small footprints and lightweight construction, this is unsurprising but is critical to bear in mind for adventurous shooters.

Evaluating Across Photography Genres: Strengths and Constraints

Let’s contextualize how these cameras perform across popular photography disciplines, informed by direct usage:

Portrait Photography

Panasonic’s face detection autofocus and higher resolution deliver more pleasing portraits with sharper eye detail and smoother skin tones. Sony lacks face detection and has slower AF, resulting in less consistently sharp portraits.

Both struggle to produce pronounced bokeh due to small sensor size and narrow max apertures. Panasonic’s longer zoom lets you compose tighter headshots from a distance, though.

Landscape Photography

Both cameras can capture decent landscapes on bright days. Panasonic’s higher resolution offers slightly more detail and cropping flexibility. However, limited dynamic range hampers highlight retention in both.

Neither camera is weather sealed, so outdoor landscape photographers must handle with care. Landscape shooters should temper expectations regarding image quality compared to larger sensor alternatives.

Wildlife Photography

Panasonic’s extensive zoom range (10x) is a significant advantage, allowing distant subjects to fill the frame better. Its faster and continuous AF helps capture animals in motion.

Sony’s 5x zoom is more limited, and AF lag reduces keeper rates for wildlife.

Sports Photography

The slow burst rates (1-2 fps) and absence of tracking AF make both cameras poor choices for sports photography - both will struggle to capture fast action adequately.

Street Photography

Compact size and lightweight form factor make both appliances easy to carry unobtrusively in urban environments. Panasonic’s lighter weight and marginally slimmer body give it an edge for all-day street roaming.

Low-light autofocus and face detection on Panasonic also help in dim street scenes.

Macro Photography

Sony’s manual focus option combined with a 10cm macro focusing distance offers better control and results at close range than Panasonic’s 4cm macro focus but with slower AF overall.

For dedicated macro shooters on a budget, Sony W290 is surprisingly preferable.

Night and Astrophotography

Neither camera shines here due to limited ISO performance, absence of bulb modes or long exposures beyond 8 seconds max shutter on Panasonic and 2 seconds minimum on Sony. ISO noise becomes a major issue.

Advanced night or astrophotographers will find these models frustratingly limited.

Video Capabilities

Basic HD video recording on both suffices for casual users, but lack of features like 4K, external mic support, or advanced stabilization puts them behind more modern compacts and smartphones.

Travel Photography

Portability favors Panasonic with lower weight, longer zoom, and longer battery life.

Sony’s manual focus feature may appeal to travelers wanting creative control but comes at the expense of image sharpness speed.

Professional Use

Neither camera is designed for professional workflows; lacking RAW output, rugged build, and advanced controls disqualify them for serious professional use.

Technical Feature Summary: Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony W290

Who Should Choose Panasonic SZ1?

• Photographers prioritizing zoom reach for casual wildlife or travel shooting
• Users preferring faster, face-detection autofocus for portraits and street photography
• Those who value lighter, slimmer ergonomics for portability during long outings
• Beginners wanting simple operation with continuous AF and optical stabilization

Who Should Pick Sony Cyber-shot W290?

• Hobbyists interested in manual focus capability for macro, creative closeups, or precise control
• Users relying on better high ISO noise performance in low-light scenes
• Casual shooters who want HDMI connectivity for easy playback on TVs or monitors
• Small sensor compact users accepting slower autofocus in exchange for slightly stronger video output options

The Bottom Line: Real-World Verdict

While both cameras occupy the entry-level compact niche, they appeal to slightly different audiences. The Panasonic SZ1 excels in zoom flexibility, autofocus sophistication, and lighter handling, making it my choice for versatile everyday use - including portraits, travel, and casual wildlife photography.

Sony W290, meanwhile, carves out a niche with manual focus, marginally better video output (via HDMI), and superior low-light noise control - appealing to enthusiasts who want a bit more creative input and video connectivity despite AF and zoom limits.

Neither camera impresses in high-demand areas like sports, fast action, or professional workflows due to sensor size, burst speed, and lack of RAW files. Their age and modest specs mean photographers seeking high image quality or advanced features will be better served by newer compacts or mirrorless models.

Still, for anyone on tight budgets craving a competent, lightweight point-and-shoot with straightforward controls, choosing between SZ1 and W290 boils down to whether you prefer zoom and AF speed (Panasonic) or manual focus and better low-light shots (Sony).

This detailed hands-on comparison aims to empower your buying decision with concrete experience rather than marketing fluff. If you still have questions on suitability for your specific photography style, feel free to ask in the comments!

Thanks for reading.

Image Summary

1. Physical size and ergonomics comparison
2. Top view design and control layout comparison
3. Sensor specifications and image quality discussion
4. LCD screen and interface comparison
5. Sample images from both cameras
   Panasonic SZ1 front Panasonic SZ1 screen back Sony W290 front Sony W290 screen back
6. Overall performance ratings
7. Genre-specific performance analysis