Panasonic ZS7 vs Sony W290
91 Imaging
35 Features
33 Overall
34


94 Imaging
34 Features
28 Overall
31
Panasonic ZS7 vs Sony W290 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
- 218g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
- Revealed July 2011
- Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ10
- Renewed by Panasonic ZS8
(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
- Released February 2009

Panasonic ZS7 vs Sony W290 Overview
Here is a in depth review of the Panasonic ZS7 vs Sony W290, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the ZS7 (12MP) and the W290 (12MP) is pretty similar and they come with the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The ZS7 was revealed 2 years later than the W290 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before diving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a short summary of how the ZS7 scores versus the W290 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Panasonic ZS7 vs Sony W290 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290. The full galleries are provided at Panasonic ZS7 Gallery & Sony W290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS7 over the Sony W290
ZS7 | W290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | July 2011 | ![]() | February 2009 | Fresher by 30 months |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Panasonic ZS7
W290 | ZS7 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More precise focus |
Common features in the Panasonic ZS7 and Sony W290
ZS7 | W290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Missing Touch screen |
Panasonic ZS7 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison
When you are looking to carry your camera, you need to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS7 has got outer measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs) whilst the Sony W290 has measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Examine the Panasonic ZS7 vs Sony W290 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the ZS7 versus the W290.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS7 and W290 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic ZS7 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it's difficult to visualise the gap between sensor sizing just by going over specifications. The visual underneath may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS7 and W290.
Plainly, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the identical resolution therefore you can expect similar quality of photos although you need to take the launch date of the products into consideration. The more recent ZS7 will have an edge in sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS7 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS7 vs Sony W290 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Panasonic | Sony |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 |
Otherwise known as | Lumix DMC-TZ10 | - |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2011-07-19 | 2009-02-17 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Venus Engine HD II | - |
Sensor type | CCD | 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 | 12 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 25-300mm (12.0x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.3-4.9 | f/3.3-5.2 |
Macro focus range | 3cm | 10cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 460 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60 secs | 2 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 2.0 frames per sec | 2.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 5.30 m | 3.90 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | AVCHD Lite | MPEG-4 |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 | 218 gr (0.48 lbs) | 167 gr (0.37 lbs) |
Dimensions | 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") | 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 | ||
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Card slots | One | One |
Launch pricing | $350 | $230 |