Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A290
92 Imaging
37 Features
46 Overall
40
66 Imaging
53 Features
47 Overall
50
Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A290 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
- 206g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
- Introduced April 2012
- Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
- Replaced the Panasonic ZS15
- Replacement is Panasonic ZS25
(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
- Launched June 2010
- Superseded the Sony A230
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A290 Overview
In this write-up, we are comparing the Panasonic ZS20 and Sony A290, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the ZS20 (14MP) and the A290 (14MP) is very similar but the ZS20 (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor size.
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modesThe ZS20 was launched 23 months later than the A290 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before diving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise overview of how the ZS20 matches up vs the A290 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
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Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A290. The complete galleries are available at Panasonic ZS20 Gallery & Sony A290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Sony A290
| ZS20 | A290 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | April 2012 |  | June 2010 | Fresher by 23 months |
| Display sizing | 3" |  | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
| Display resolution | 460k |  | 230k | Sharper display (+230k dot) |
| Touch friendly display |  | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Panasonic ZS20
| A290 | ZS20 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus |  | More precise focusing |
Common features in the Panasonic ZS20 and Sony A290
| ZS20 | A290 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display type | Fixed |  | Fixed | Fixed display |
| Selfie screen |  | Neither features selfie screen |
Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison
When you are planning to carry your camera often, you will have to factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS20 enjoys outer measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs) while the Sony A290 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") along with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).
Analyze the Panasonic ZS20 and Sony A290 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Below is the front view size comparison of the ZS20 and the A290.
Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS20 and A290 is 92 and 66 respectively.
Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it can be difficult to envision the contrast between sensor sizing just by going over specs. The visual below might provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS20 and A290.
All in all, both cameras enjoy the same exact megapixel count but not the same sensor sizing. The ZS20 offers the tinier sensor which will make getting bokeh tougher. The more modern ZS20 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.
Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Sony A290 Specifications
| Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Company | Panasonic | Sony |
| Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 |
| Otherwise known as | Lumix DMC-TZ30 | - |
| Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Introduced | 2012-04-26 | 2010-06-09 |
| Physical type | Compact | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Chip | - | Bionz |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
| Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 23.5 x 15.7mm |
| Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 369.0mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 14 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Max resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 4592 x 3056 |
| Max native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
| Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW images | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| Touch focus | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Selective autofocus | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Autofocus live view | ||
| Face detect autofocus | ||
| Contract detect autofocus | ||
| Phase detect autofocus | ||
| Total focus points | 23 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Lens zoom range | 24-480mm (20.0x) | - |
| Max aperture | f/3.3-6.4 | - |
| Macro focusing range | 3cm | - |
| Amount of lenses | - | 143 |
| Crop factor | 5.9 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Display diagonal | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
| Resolution of display | 460 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch display | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder coverage | - | 95% |
| Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.55x |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 15s | 30s |
| Max shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/4000s |
| Continuous shutter rate | 10.0 frames/s | 3.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Set white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash distance | 6.40 m | 10.00 m (at ISO 100) |
| Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AEB | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Max flash synchronize | - | 1/160s |
| 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 (220 fps) | - |
| Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
| Video format | MPEG-4, AVCHD | - |
| Mic 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 proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 206 grams (0.45 lbs) | 549 grams (1.21 lbs) |
| Dimensions | 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") | 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall rating | not tested | 66 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 22.6 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 11.5 |
| DXO Low light rating | not tested | 615 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 260 photographs | 290 photographs |
| Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | - | 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 |
| Price at release | $349 | $600 |