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Panasonic XS1 vs Sony W290

Portability
97
Imaging
40
Features
26
Overall
34
Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
28
Overall
32

Panasonic XS1 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Panasonic XS1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 103g - 94 x 54 x 14mm
  • Announced January 2013
Sony W290
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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 XS1 vs Sony W290 Overview

Here is a in depth comparison of the Panasonic XS1 versus Sony W290, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. There is a substantial difference between the sensor resolutions of the XS1 (16MP) and W290 (12MP) but they use the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The XS1 was launched 3 years later than the W290 and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the XS1 grades vs the W290 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic XS1 over the Sony W290

 XS1 W290 
RevealedJanuary 2013February 2009Fresher by 48 months

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Panasonic XS1

 W290 XS1 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic XS1 and Sony W290

 XS1 W290 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Panasonic XS1 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera regularly, you should think about its weight and size. The Panasonic XS1 comes with exterior measurements of 94mm x 54mm x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") having a weight of 103 grams (0.23 lbs) and the Sony W290 has specifications of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic XS1 versus Sony W290 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Below is the front view size comparison of the XS1 and the W290.

Panasonic XS1 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the XS1 and W290 is 97 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic XS1 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic XS1 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing just by reviewing a spec sheet. The visual below will offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the XS1 and W290.

As you can see, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Panasonic XS1 to offer extra detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The fresher XS1 will have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic XS1 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Panasonic XS1 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic XS1 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Portrait photography factors
Sony W290 Portrait photography factors
30
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
27
you can focus manually
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Street photography advice
Sony W290 Street photography advice
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (103 grams)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Sports photography highlights
Sony W290 Sports photography highlights
41
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
supports tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Travel photography information
Sony W290 Travel photography information
69
lighter than competition in class (103 grams)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
57
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
MP count low (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic XS1
Landscape photography with Sony W290
39
reasonably wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
41
you can focus manually
pretty wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not available
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Vlogging highlights
Sony W290 Vlogging highlights
31
reasonably wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (103g)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone port
28
pretty wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic jack
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Panasonic XS1 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic XS1 and Sony W290
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2013-01-07 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-6.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range 5cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 2s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.40 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic input
Headphone input
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 103 grams (0.23 pounds) 167 grams (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 94 x 54 x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" 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 260 photographs -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $130 $230