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Panasonic TS6 vs Sony A290

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS6 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Panasonic TS6 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Panasonic TS6
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-128mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 214g - 110 x 67 x 29mm
  • Revealed January 2015
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-FT6
  • Superseded the Panasonic TS5
Sony A290
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Launched June 2010
  • Older Model is Sony A230
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Panasonic TS6 vs Sony A290 Overview

In this article, we are contrasting the Panasonic TS6 vs Sony A290, one being a Waterproof and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the TS6 (16MP) and the A290 (14MP) is fairly close but the TS6 (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor dimensions.

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The TS6 was unveiled 4 years later than the A290 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic TS6 being a Compact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting through a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the TS6 grades versus the A290 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic TS6 over the Sony A290

 TS6 A290 
LaunchedJanuary 2015June 2010Fresher by 56 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Panasonic TS6

 A290 TS6 
Manual focus Dial exact focus

Common features in the Panasonic TS6 and Sony A290

 TS6 A290 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Panasonic TS6 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera frequently, you should consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic TS6 features outside dimensions of 110mm x 67mm x 29mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.1") having a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) while the Sony A290 has measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic TS6 vs Sony A290 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are using at the time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the TS6 and the A290.

Panasonic TS6 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the TS6 and A290 is 91 and 66 respectively.

Panasonic TS6 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic TS6 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's hard to see the difference in sensor sizing just by viewing specs. The graphic underneath will give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the TS6 and A290.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The TS6 with its smaller sensor will make getting shallower depth of field tougher and the Panasonic TS6 will result in greater detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics far more aggressively. The younger TS6 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic TS6 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Panasonic TS6 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic TS6 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic TS6 Portrait photography info
Sony A290 Portrait photography info
37
decent megapixels (16MP)
features face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
65
manual focus
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
no liveview feature
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Street Comparison

Panasonic TS6 as a Street photography camera
Sony A290 as a Street photography camera
61
image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic TS6 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A290 as a Sports photography camera
47
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
features tracking focus
environment proofing
great battery pack (370 CIPA)
max shutter speed is low (1/1,300 seconds)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
55
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
no liveview feature
max fps very slow (3.0 frames per second)
not so great battery power (290 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic TS6 Travel photography advice
Sony A290 Travel photography advice
72
great battery pack (370 shots)
environment proofing
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
53
good MP (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse mode
not so great battery power (290 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic TS6
Landscape photography with Sony A290
52
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
environment proofing
great battery pack (370 shots)
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
58
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
small screen (2.7")
no liveview feature
not so great battery power (290 shots)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic TS6 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A290 as a Vlogging camera
33
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
lack of mic socket
9
no video recording
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Panasonic TS6 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic TS6 and Sony A290
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS6Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS6 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Also called as Lumix DMC-FT6 -
Category Waterproof Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2015-01-06 2010-06-09
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 28-128mm (4.6x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/1300s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, slow sync w/redeye reduction, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD -
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 214 grams (0.47 lb) 549 grams (1.21 lb)
Dimensions 110 x 67 x 29mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.1") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 66
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.5
DXO Low light rating not tested 615
Other
Battery life 370 photographs 290 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $300 $600