Panasonic ZS10 vs Sony A290
91 Imaging
37 Features
46 Overall
40


66 Imaging
54 Features
47 Overall
51
Panasonic ZS10 vs Sony A290 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 219g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
- Introduced January 2011
- Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ20 / Lumix DMC-TZ22
(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
- Released June 2010
- Previous Model is Sony A230

Panasonic ZS10 vs Sony A290 Overview
The following is a thorough comparison of the Panasonic ZS10 versus Sony A290, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the ZS10 (14MP) and the A290 (14MP) is fairly similar but the ZS10 (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor sizes.

The ZS10 was revealed 8 months after the A290 which means that they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic ZS10 being a Compact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before diving into a full comparison, here is a quick view of how the ZS10 grades versus the A290 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Panasonic ZS10 vs Sony A290 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A290. The full galleries are available at Panasonic ZS10 Gallery & Sony A290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS10 over the Sony A290
ZS10 | A290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2011 | ![]() | June 2010 | Newer by 8 months |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper display (+230k dot) |
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Panasonic ZS10
A290 | ZS10 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More precise focus |
Common features in the Panasonic ZS10 and Sony A290
ZS10 | A290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen |
Panasonic ZS10 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison
If you are planning to travel with your camera often, you're going to have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS10 has got exterior measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 219 grams (0.48 lbs) whilst the Sony A290 has measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") along with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).
Contrast the Panasonic ZS10 versus Sony A290 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the ZS10 versus the A290.

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS10 and A290 is 91 and 66 respectively.

Panasonic ZS10 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison
Often, it's tough to visualise the contrast between sensor dimensions just by going over specifications. The picture below might provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS10 and A290.
Plainly, both cameras provide the same MP but not the same sensor dimensions. The ZS10 has got the tinier sensor which will make achieving bokeh trickier. The younger ZS10 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS10 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS10 vs Sony A290 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Panasonic | Sony |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 |
Also referred to as | Lumix DMC-TZ20 / Lumix DMC-TZ22 | - |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Entry-Level DSLR |
Introduced | 2011-01-25 | 2010-06-09 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Venus Engine FHD | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 23.5 x 15.7mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 369.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14MP | 14MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 4592 x 3056 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch to focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | 23 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Lens focal range | 24-384mm (16.0x) | - |
Maximal aperture | f/3.3-5.9 | - |
Macro focus range | 3cm | - |
Total lenses | - | 143 |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3" | 2.7" |
Resolution of screen | 460 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 95% |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.55x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60 secs | 30 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 10.0 frames per second | 3.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 5.00 m | 10.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | - | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | - |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
Video data format | MPEG-4, AVCHD | - |
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 | BuiltIn | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 219g (0.48 lb) | 549g (1.21 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") | 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | 66 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 22.6 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 11.5 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 615 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 260 photographs | 290 photographs |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | NP-FH50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC |
Card slots | One | One |
Launch pricing | $350 | $600 |