Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony W290
90 Imaging
37 Features
57 Overall
45


94 Imaging
34 Features
28 Overall
31
Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony W290 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
- 243g - 111 x 65 x 34mm
- Launched January 2015
- Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ70
- Earlier Model is Panasonic ZS45
- Replacement is Panasonic ZS60
(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

Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony W290 Overview
Following is a extended assessment of the Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony W290, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the ZS50 (12MP) and the W290 (12MP) is pretty comparable and they enjoy the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

The ZS50 was manufactured 5 years after the W290 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before getting in to a complete comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the ZS50 scores vs the W290 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony W290 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290. The entire galleries are provided at Panasonic ZS50 Gallery and Sony W290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS50 over the Sony W290
ZS50 | W290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2015 | ![]() | February 2009 | More modern by 72 months |
Screen resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+810k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Panasonic ZS50
W290 | ZS50 |
---|
Common features in the Panasonic ZS50 and Sony W290
ZS50 | W290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very accurate focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Missing Touch screen |
Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison
If you are going to carry around your camera, you should think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS50 comes with physical measurements of 111mm x 65mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 243 grams (0.54 lbs) while the Sony W290 has dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
See the Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony W290 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you choose at the time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the ZS50 vs the W290.

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the ZS50 and W290 is 90 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is tough to visualise the difference in sensor sizes only by going through technical specs. The pic below might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS50 and W290.
As you can tell, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact MP and you should expect comparable quality of photos however you would want to take the release date of the cameras into account. The newer ZS50 will have an edge in sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony W290 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Panasonic | Sony |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 |
Also referred to as | Lumix DMC-TZ70 | - |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Launched | 2015-01-06 | 2009-02-17 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 12MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | 23 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-720mm (30.0x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.3-6.4 | f/3.3-5.2 |
Macro focusing distance | 3cm | 10cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 1,040k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | None |
Viewfinder resolution | 1,166k dots | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.46x | - |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 4 secs | 2 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 10.0 frames per sec | 2.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 6.40 m | 3.90 m |
Flash settings | Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | MPEG-4, AVCHD | MPEG-4 |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 243 grams (0.54 pounds) | 167 grams (0.37 pounds) |
Dimensions | 111 x 65 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") | 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 44 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | 20.0 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.2 | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | 138 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 300 images | - |
Battery style | Battery Pack | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Pricing at launch | $350 | $230 |