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Panasonic TS3 vs Sony W290

Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
31
Overall
34
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
28
Overall
32

Panasonic TS3 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Panasonic TS3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-128mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 197g - 103 x 64 x 27mm
  • Released August 2011
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-FT3
  • Previous Model is Panasonic TS2
  • Replacement is Panasonic TS4
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
  • Revealed February 2009
Photography Glossary

Panasonic TS3 vs Sony W290 Overview

In this article, we are analyzing the Panasonic TS3 vs Sony W290, former being a Waterproof while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the TS3 (12MP) and the W290 (12MP) is fairly comparable and they possess the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The TS3 was unveiled 2 years later than the W290 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick summary of how the TS3 scores versus the W290 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic TS3 over the Sony W290

 TS3 W290 
RevealedAugust 2011February 2009Fresher by 31 months

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Panasonic TS3

 W290 TS3 
Focus manually More precise focus
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic TS3 and Sony W290

 TS3 W290 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Panasonic TS3 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic TS3 enjoys external dimensions of 103mm x 64mm x 27mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") and a weight of 197 grams (0.43 lbs) whilst 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 TS3 vs Sony W290 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Here is the front view scale comparison of the TS3 compared to the W290.

Panasonic TS3 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the TS3 and W290 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic TS3 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic TS3 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing just by going through a spec sheet. The graphic below may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the TS3 and W290.

As you can see, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact megapixels and you can expect comparable quality of images although you might want to take the age of the cameras into account. The newer TS3 provides an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic TS3 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Panasonic TS3 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic TS3 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic TS3 Portrait photography information
Sony W290 Portrait photography information
21
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
27
focusing manually
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic TS3 as a Street photography camera
Sony W290 as a Street photography camera
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment proof
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic TS3 Sports photography details
Sony W290 Sports photography details
38
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking focus
environment proof
better than average battery pack (310 CIPA)
max shutter speed is low (1/1,300s)
slow fps (4.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
25
image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic TS3 Travel photography factors
Sony W290 Travel photography factors
64
better than average battery pack (310 shots)
environment proof
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse function
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
57
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic TS3
Landscape photography with Sony W290
38
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment proof
better than average battery pack (310 shots)
no manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
does not have Timelapse function
41
focusing manually
rather wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not possible
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic TS3
Vlogging with Sony W290
32
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
does not have microphone socket
28
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone socket
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Panasonic TS3 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic TS3 and Sony W290
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Also called as Lumix DMC-FT3 -
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-08-16 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine FHD -
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 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-128mm (4.6x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance 5cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 2s
Max shutter speed 1/1300s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.60 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD 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 BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 197g (0.43 lbs) 167g (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 103 x 64 x 27mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 310 photographs -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch price $380 $230