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Panasonic ZS10 vs Sony W290

Portability
91
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Panasonic ZS10 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS10
(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
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
  • Released February 2009
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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").

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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.

Photography Glossary

				

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS10 over the Sony W290

 ZS10 W290 
ReleasedJanuary 2011February 2009More modern by 24 months
Display resolution460k230kSharper 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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"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).

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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.

Panasonic ZS10 vs Sony W290 size comparison

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

Panasonic ZS10 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS10 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS10 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS10
Portrait photography with Sony W290
30
megapixel count decent (14MP)
lack of manual focus
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
27
has manual focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS10 Street photography features
Sony W290 Street photography features
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports focus by touch
lighter than competition in class (219 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS10 as a Sports photography camera
Sony W290 as a Sports photography camera
47
excellent zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
includes tracking focus
sensor is small (1/2.3")
bad battery life (260 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS10 as a Travel photography camera
Sony W290 as a Travel photography camera
67
lighter than competition in class (219 grams)
supports focus by touch
megapixel count decent (14MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
long reach (384mm)
missing Time Lapse function
bad battery life (260 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
57
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS10
Landscape photography with Sony W290
42
pretty wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
bad battery life (260 per charge)
missing Time Lapse function
41
has manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not available
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS10 Vlogging features
Sony W290 Vlogging features
34
pretty wide (24mm)
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Optical)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (219g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing mic socket
28
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone socket
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Panasonic ZS10 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS10 and Sony W290
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10Sony 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