Panasonic ZS10 vs Sony W290
91 Imaging
37 Features
46 Overall
40


94 Imaging
34 Features
28 Overall
31
Panasonic ZS10 vs Sony W290 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
- Announced January 2011
- Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ20 / Lumix DMC-TZ22
(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
- Released February 2009

Panasonic ZS10 vs Sony W290 Overview
In this write-up, we are reviewing the Panasonic ZS10 vs Sony W290, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the ZS10 (14MP) and the W290 (12MP) is fairly similar and they come with the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

The ZS10 was launched 24 months after the W290 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before delving through a full comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the ZS10 grades against the W290 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Panasonic ZS10 vs Sony W290 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290. The complete galleries are available at Panasonic ZS10 Gallery and Sony W290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS10 over the Sony W290
ZS10 | W290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2011 | ![]() | February 2009 | More modern by 24 months |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper display (+230k dot) |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Panasonic ZS10
W290 | ZS10 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More precise focusing |
Common features in the Panasonic ZS10 and Sony W290
ZS10 | W290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen |
Panasonic ZS10 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is looking to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to think about its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS10 has outside dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 219 grams (0.48 lbs) while the Sony W290 has sizing of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Check out the Panasonic ZS10 vs Sony W290 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the ZS10 against the W290.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS10 and W290 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic ZS10 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, its difficult to picture the contrast between sensor sizes just by going over a spec sheet. The picture below will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS10 and W290.
Clearly, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You should anticipate the Panasonic ZS10 to deliver extra detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images far more aggressively. The more modern ZS10 should have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS10 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS10 vs Sony W290 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Panasonic | Sony |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 |
Alternate name | Lumix DMC-TZ20 / Lumix DMC-TZ22 | - |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Announced | 2011-01-25 | 2009-02-17 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Venus Engine FHD | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14MP | 12MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 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 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | 23 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 24-384mm (16.0x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.3-5.9 | f/3.3-5.2 |
Macro focus range | 3cm | 10cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 460 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60 seconds | 2 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 10.0fps | 2.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 5.00 m | 3.90 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 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 | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, AVCHD | 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 | BuiltIn | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 219 grams (0.48 lbs) | 167 grams (0.37 lbs) |
Dimensions | 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") | 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 | ||
Battery life | 260 images | - |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | - |
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 |
Price at launch | $350 | $230 |