Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony W290
94 Imaging
40 Features
31 Overall
36
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94 Imaging
34 Features
28 Overall
31
Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony W290 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
- 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
- Launched January 2014
(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
- Revealed February 2009
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony W290 Overview
Lets look much closer at the Panasonic SZ8 versus Sony W290, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Panasonic and Sony. There exists a considerable gap between the image resolutions of the SZ8 (16MP) and W290 (12MP) but they possess the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").
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The SZ8 was brought out 4 years after the W290 which is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before we go through a thorough comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the SZ8 matches up against the W290 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony W290 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290. The entire galleries are available at Panasonic SZ8 Gallery & Sony W290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Sony W290
SZ8 | W290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2014 | ![]() | February 2009 | More modern by 60 months |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Panasonic SZ8
W290 | SZ8 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial accurate focusing |
Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Sony W290
SZ8 | W290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical display dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither offers Touch display |
Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is intending to carry around your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and measurements. The Panasonic SZ8 offers physical dimensions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Sony W290 has proportions of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
See the Panasonic SZ8 versus Sony W290 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have attached at that moment. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the SZ8 vs the W290.
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Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ8 and W290 is 94 and 94 respectively.
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it's tough to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes purely by looking at specifications. The picture here might provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ8 and W290.
To sum up, each of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different MP. You can expect to see the Panasonic SZ8 to resolve greater detail having its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop images much more aggressively. The more recent SZ8 should have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony W290 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Panasonic | Sony |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Launched | 2014-01-06 | 2009-02-17 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Venus Engine | - |
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 surface area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Maximum boosted ISO | 6400 | - |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-288mm (12.0x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.1-6.3 | f/3.3-5.2 |
Macro focusing distance | - | 10cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 460k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen tech | TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 8 seconds | 2 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0 frames/s | 2.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.20 m | 3.90 m |
Flash modes | Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | 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 | 159g (0.35 lb) | 167g (0.37 lb) |
Dimensions | 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") | 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 | 200 shots | - |
Battery style | Battery Pack | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Price at launch | $275 | $230 |