Clicky

Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony W290

Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
25
Overall
29
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
28
Overall
32

Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Introduced May 2009
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ6
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
  • Launched February 2009
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony W290 Overview

In this article, we will be comparing the Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony W290, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the ZS1 (10MP) and the W290 (12MP) is pretty close but the ZS1 (1/2.5") and W290 (1/2.3") possess different sensor size.

Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

The ZS1 was manufactured 3 months later than the W290 and they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a thorough comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the ZS1 matches up versus the W290 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS1 over the Sony W290

 ZS1 W290 

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Panasonic ZS1

 W290 ZS1 
Manually focus More exact focusing
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic ZS1 and Sony W290

 ZS1 W290 
LaunchedMay 2009February 2009Same age
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to lug around your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS1 features exterior dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Sony W290 has proportions of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony W290 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are using at that time. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the ZS1 vs the W290.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS1 and W290 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Often, its hard to visualize the difference in sensor measurements only by viewing technical specs. The graphic underneath should provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS1 and W290.

As you can tell, both of these cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The ZS1 because of its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF more challenging and the Sony W290 will render greater detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures a little more aggressively.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS1
Portrait photography with Sony W290
25
includes face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
low resolution (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.5")
lack of RAW files
27
you can focus manually
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 as a Street photography camera
Sony W290 as a Street photography camera
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (229g)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.5")
lack of RAW files
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Sports photography info
Sony W290 Sports photography info
24
image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
low resolution (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.5")
lack of phase detect AF
25
image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Travel photography information
Sony W290 Travel photography information
63
lighter than competition in class (229 grams)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
great zoom (300mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low resolution (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
57
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS1
Landscape photography with Sony W290
31
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
no manual control
low resolution (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.5")
lack of RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
41
you can focus manually
rather wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
no Time Lapse mode
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZS1
Vlogging with Sony W290
31
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
lighter than competition in class (229g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have mic socket
28
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic support
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS1 and Sony W290
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-TZ6 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2009-05-14 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.5" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 5.744 x 4.308mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 24.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-4.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range 3cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 6.3 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 2s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.30 m (Auto ISO) 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 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)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic support
Headphone support
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 229 grams (0.50 lb) 167 grams (0.37 lb)
Dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch price $0 $230