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Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony W690

Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690 front
Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
32
Overall
35

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony W690 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Introduced January 2012
Sony W690
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 94 x 56 x 22mm
  • Announced February 2012
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony W690 Overview

Below, we are contrasting the Panasonic SZ1 versus Sony W690, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the SZ1 (16MP) and the W690 (16MP) is very similar and they enjoy the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ1 was unveiled within a month of the W690 so they are both of a similar age. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before going in to a full comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the SZ1 matches up vs the W690 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Sony W690

 SZ1 W690 

Reasons to pick Sony W690 over the Panasonic SZ1

 W690 SZ1 

Common features in the Panasonic SZ1 and Sony W690

 SZ1 W690 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012February 2012Similar age
Focus manually No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony W690 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to lug around your camera often, you are going to need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ1 features outer dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs) whilst the Sony W690 has dimensions of 94mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs).

See the Panasonic SZ1 versus Sony W690 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the SZ1 versus the W690.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony W690 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ1 and W690 is 95 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony W690 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony W690 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to picture the difference between sensor measurements merely by going over specs. The visual here should offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ1 and W690.

All in all, the 2 cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the exact same megapixels so you can expect similar quality of files although you really should consider the age of the products into consideration.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony W690 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony W690 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony W690 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography information
Sony W690 Portrait photography information
34
good megapixels (16MP)
comes with face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
34
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has face detection focusing
manual focus not available
no manual mode
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Street photography factors
Sony W690 Street photography factors
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (131 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic SZ1
Sports photography with Sony W690
40
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
has tracking autofocus
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Travel photography highlights
Sony W690 Travel photography highlights
70
lighter than competition in class (131g)
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
no Timelapse mode
does not have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
68
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
lack of Timelapse function
does not have selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Landscape photography info
Sony W690 Landscape photography info
42
quite wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Timelapse mode
42
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
manual focus not available
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
no manual mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony W690 as a Vlogging camera
32
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
lighter than competition in class (131g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone port
31
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not have selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external microphone port
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony W690 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ1 and Sony W690
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2012-01-09 2012-02-28
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - 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 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 23 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range 4cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT Color LCD ClearPhoto TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 3.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4
Microphone 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 131 gr (0.29 pounds) 142 gr (0.31 pounds)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 94 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" 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 250 photographs 220 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $179 $297