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Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony W290

Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
57
Overall
45
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS50
(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
Sony W290
(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
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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").

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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.

Photography Glossary

				

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS50 over the Sony W290

 ZS50 W290 
LaunchedJanuary 2015February 2009More modern by 72 months
Screen resolution1040k230kCrisper 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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony W290 size comparison

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

Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W290 as a Portrait photography camera
42
focusing manually
provides face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
can't use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
27
you can focus manually
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Street photography highlights
Sony W290 Street photography highlights
68
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competitors in class (243 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Sports photography information
Sony W290 Sports photography information
43
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking autofocus
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow frames per second (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Travel photography factors
Sony W290 Travel photography factors
66
lighter than competitors in class (243g)
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
long reach (720mm)
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
57
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse recording
MP count low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W290 as a Landscape photography camera
51
focusing manually
relatively wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
41
you can focus manually
relatively wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual exposure
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Vlogging highlights
Sony W290 Vlogging highlights
34
relatively wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors in class (243g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
lack of external microphone socket
28
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic support
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Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS50 and Sony W290
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50Sony 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