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Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony W290

Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
28
Overall
32

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Panasonic ZR3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 159g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Launched January 2010
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-ZX3
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
  • Introduced February 2009
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Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony W290 Overview

Lets look a little more closely at the Panasonic ZR3 and Sony W290, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the ZR3 (14MP) and the W290 (12MP) is very similar and both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The ZR3 was introduced 12 months later than the W290 so they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the ZR3 grades against the W290 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Sony W290

 ZR3 W290 
IntroducedJanuary 2010February 2009Fresher by 12 months

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Panasonic ZR3

 W290 ZR3 
Focus manually More precise focus
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic ZR3 and Sony W290

 ZR3 W290 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry your camera regularly, you should consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZR3 has got outside measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Sony W290 has dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic ZR3 and Sony W290 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. The following is a front view size comparison of the ZR3 versus the W290.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the ZR3 and W290 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very tough to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing just by reviewing specifications. The photograph underneath will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the ZR3 and W290.

To sum up, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You can expect to see the Panasonic ZR3 to deliver greater detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images a bit more aggressively. The fresher ZR3 should have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZR3
Portrait photography with Sony W290
28
MP count good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
27
manual focus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Street photography info
Sony W290 Street photography info
57
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZR3
Sports photography with Sony W290
37
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
has tracking focus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,300s)
max fps low (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZR3
Travel photography with Sony W290
65
MP count good (14MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
lack of Timelapse function
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
57
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Landscape photography info
Sony W290 Landscape photography info
37
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
41
manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not possible
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 as a Vlogging camera
Sony W290 as a Vlogging camera
29
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone socket
28
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone socket
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Panasonic ZR3 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZR3 and Sony W290
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-ZX3 -
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2010-01-26 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine HD II -
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 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-200mm (8.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range 3cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 2s
Highest shutter speed 1/1300s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.30 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
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (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 1280x720 1280x720
Video format AVCHD Lite 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 159g (0.35 lbs) 167g (0.37 lbs)
Physical dimensions 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" 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
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 1 1
Pricing at launch $280 $230