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Panasonic XS1 vs Sony W690

Portability
97
Imaging
40
Features
26
Overall
34
Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36

Panasonic XS1 vs Sony W690 Key Specs

Panasonic XS1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 103g - 94 x 54 x 14mm
  • Revealed January 2013
Sony W690
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 94 x 56 x 22mm
  • Revealed February 2012
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Panasonic XS1 vs Sony W690 Overview

Let's look a bit more closely at the Panasonic XS1 and Sony W690, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by companies Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the XS1 (16MP) and the W690 (16MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The XS1 was released 11 months later than the W690 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the XS1 grades vs the W690 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic XS1 over the Sony W690

 XS1 W690 
RevealedJanuary 2013February 2012Fresher by 11 months

Reasons to pick Sony W690 over the Panasonic XS1

 W690 XS1 
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic XS1 and Sony W690

 XS1 W690 
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Panasonic XS1 vs Sony W690 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic XS1 features exterior dimensions of 94mm x 54mm x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") and a weight of 103 grams (0.23 lbs) whilst the Sony W690 has dimensions of 94mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic XS1 and Sony W690 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the XS1 against the W690.

Panasonic XS1 vs Sony W690 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the XS1 and W690 is 97 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic XS1 vs Sony W690 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic XS1 vs Sony W690 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very hard to visualise the gap between sensor sizing merely by checking technical specs. The visual here will give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the XS1 and W690.

As you have seen, both cameras feature the identical sensor size and the exact same megapixels therefore you can expect similar quality of pictures though you need to take the age of the products into consideration. The more modern XS1 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic XS1 vs Sony W690 sensor size comparison

Panasonic XS1 vs Sony W690 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic XS1 vs Sony W690 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Portrait photography highlights
Sony W690 Portrait photography highlights
30
decent MP (16MP)
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
34
good megapixels (16MP)
features face detection focusing
no manual focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Street photography factors
Sony W690 Street photography factors
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (103g)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Sports photography information
Sony W690 Sports photography information
41
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
has tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Panasonic XS1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony W690 as a Travel photography camera
69
lighter than competition in class (103 grams)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
68
good megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
lack of Timelapse function
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Landscape photography highlights
Sony W690 Landscape photography highlights
39
really wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Timelapse mode
43
relatively wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
no manual mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic XS1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony W690 as a Vlogging camera
31
really wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (103g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone support
31
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external microphone socket
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Panasonic XS1 vs Sony W690 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic XS1 and Sony W690
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2013-01-07 2012-02-28
Physical type 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 surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-6.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range 5cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT LCD ClearPhoto TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.40 m 3.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG 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 None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 103 grams (0.23 lbs) 142 grams (0.31 lbs)
Physical dimensions 94 x 54 x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") 94 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 260 photos 220 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Retail cost $130 $297